The conservancy bought the property on the north side of Onion Creek from John and Janie Orr with a portion of $13.4 million earmarked for the acquisition of open land by Austin voters in November 2000. The transaction is the first under the Open Spaces Proposition, which adds to the 14,818 acres of environmentally sensitive land the city has already acquired. HCC and the city will co-manage the property.

The city and the conservancy are planning a second transaction with the Orrs that will involve purchasing most of the development rights on the 322 acres through a conservation easement, limiting future subdivision and development on the property.

The Hill Country Conservancy works to preserve open spaces in the Hill Country. Its board of directors includes real estate community representatives such as lawyer David Armbrust and Kirk Rudy of Endeavor Real Estate and president of the Real Estate Council of Austin.