The City of Round Rock celebrated the re-opening of Memorial Park on Saturday, July 20, marking a significant milestone in the greater Heritage Trail West project.
These new spaces are designed to connect communities and bring people together, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie. The greater Heritage Trail West project, which will connect the original pioneer settlement of Old Town and Downtown Round Rock, is expected to be completed later this year.
The Heritage Trail West project will complete an approximately 1-mile section of trail along the Brushy Creek Regional Trail, running from just west of Chisholm Trail Road to Mays Street. This project also includes an overlook along Brushy Creek, improvements to several parks and the inclusion of historical and recreational elements. Significant progress is also being made to portions of the trail east of IH-35, including work to construct creek overlooks, gathering spaces near Memorial Park and a massive spiral trail ramp. The goal is to create a connected, accessible and informative space for residents and visitors alike, highlighting the history of Round Rock and providing new recreational opportunities.
During Saturday’s opening ceremony, City officials also unveiled the newly renamed Big Boy Hester Family Field. In April, the City of Round Rock approved a resolution to rename the “Bluff” baseball field in Memorial Park after Gail “Big Boy” Hester, honoring his extensive contributions to the city and recognizing his lasting impact on the community.
Gail “Big Boy” Hester founded his automotive repair shop 63 years ago at age 22 and has been a key member of the Chamber of Commerce and a strong advocate for small businesses, honored with an annual award in his name and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. A key community figure in bringing the Round Rock Express to town, he played on Round Rock’s first Little League baseball team at the Bluff field when he was 12 years old. Over 70 years ago, Big Boy took the mound in a Babe Ruth-style uniform for Round Rock. In those days, he and his teammates worked on the farm, performing various agricultural tasks such as milking cows, before being picked up by a coach and driven to the diamond. The bats were wooden, and the supply of baseballs was limited. If a ball landed in the creek, it had to be fished out and reused.
The ball field now features renovations that are blended with features that have stood the test of time, such as the natural rock seating behind home plate.
While portions of the greater Heritage Trail West project are still under construction, the event showcased the first re-opening and allowed City officials to share its progress with the community.
The Heritage Trail West and Memorial Park are part of the voter approved 2023 G.O. Bonds and align with the City’s strategic goal of “creating a great community to live in.” This goal reflects the city’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents through thoughtful planning and dedicated efforts. For more information on the bond projects, visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/bonds.