Many residents have asked for an update on what is happening at HPS Preservation Park in Hunt. The 4.5-acre property — purchased in April 2003 by the original group of 30 HPS Founders — has long served as an important open space and community asset. In the aftermath of the recent flood, the HPS Board of Directors immediately agreed that the highest and best use of the park would be to open it to the public to support both the short-term and long-term recovery needs of the Hunt community. This decision has guided all activities at the park over the past months and continues to shape our planning.
Today, Preservation Park is functioning as a key hub for local recovery efforts. The grounds are being used as materials and supply distribution center for Hunt-area residents, ensuring that families and volunteers have a centralized location to access essential resources. During the week, food trucks operate from the park, providing convenient meal options and bringing an added sense of activity and normalcy back to the area. We are also grateful for the many volunteer groups who have stepped forward to host weekend lunches, gatherings, and community activities for Hunt residents. The pavilion — funded originally by the Puett Family — has been especially valuable, serving as a venue for children’s activities and currently hosting a Sunday church service. We are thankful to the Puett Family not only for their initial support, but also for generously funding the repairs needed after the flood.
Looking ahead, we are excited to share that construction has begun on a Long-Term Recovery Center at the park, made possible through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. This center will include a student space, a community gathering facility for Hunt residents, and an outdoor social area. With the loss of the Hunt Store and Crider’s — two pillars of our community’s social and cultural life — we felt it was essential to create a temporary place where residents can gather, connect, and support one another as rebuilding efforts continue.
In addition to new construction, HPS is actively addressing the drainage challenges worsened by the flood. Locals know all too well that even a small amount of rain can turn Preservation Park into “Preservation Lake.” We are reviewing engineering proposals and finalizing plans for a comprehensive drainage solution that will benefit the entire property.
It is important to remember that without a local zoning authority, the founders of HPS understood the value of protecting this key 4.5-acre parcel at Hunt’s front door. Once flood recovery is complete, the park will return to an open, mostly unobstructed green space, honoring the founders’ original vision. To ensure this vision continues for future generations, we will soon begin developing a long-term master plan for Preservation Park and look forward to collaborating with the community throughout the planning process.
For questions and more information, please visit hpstx.org or email info@huntpreservationsociety.org.
