John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park Phase 1 Implementation
June 2026 Project Update
 Phase 1 improvement area highlighted in red
Background
The City of Austin purchased the 330.22‑acre property in 2003 for eight million dollars using funds from the 1998 Greenway and Destination Bond. At the time of purchase, the land continued to operate as “Morrison Ranch” under an existing lease agreement until 2016. In 2006, the park was renamed in honor of John Treviño Jr., the first Mexican American elected to the Austin City Council, who served the community for 14 years and made lasting contributions to East Austin and the city as a whole.
This site is an excellent example of the benefits of “land banking,” which allows the City to secure land before surrounding development occurs and before costs escalate. By preserving the property early, the City gained the opportunity to plan for future recreation needs, protect access to the Colorado River, and support long‑term connectivity goals for the future Colorado River Trail.
The parkland includes a mix of open fields, Live Oak–Ashe Juniper woodlands, and areas along the river. Approximately two‑thirds of the land lies within the 100‑year floodplain. The park spans City Council Districts 1 and 2.
The community engagement for developing a plan for future park improvements began in March 2019 and the Vision Plan for John Trevino Jr. Metropolitan Park at Morrison Ranch was adopted by City Council on October 15, 2020.
 Landscape concept plan rendering of John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park Phase 1
This initial phase of the vision plan focuses on the prairie area of the site and includes a nature playground, trails, picnic shelters, an access road, parking, utility improvements, and a restroom. Additional features in this phase include a wildflower meadow, a soft‑surface trail network, and a formalized park entry. This development is one component of a larger, multi‑phase plan to create a major metropolitan park for the community.
Phase 1 design work began in spring 2023 and is currently in the final stages of design and permitting. Construction for Phase 1 is funded by:
Current Project Phase: 95% Construction Documentation
Completed Tasks
- Preliminary design report
- Grant applications and approvals
- Antiquities Permit
- SITES analysis and goal setting
- Schematic design and design development
- Planning Commission approval
Ongoing Tasks
- Art in Public Places (AIPP) coordination with selected artist Dharmesh Patel
- Building permit review
- Septic system permit
Upcoming Tasks
- Bidding contractors for construction anticipated summer 2026
- Anticipated construction start winter 2026-2027
 Concept image of the future restrooms
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