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From family ranch to public park: Donation of more than $30M brings new changes to Travis County

An Austin family has made the largest donation in the county's history, allowing their ranch to become a recreational area for all.

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — More than 1,500 acres of previously private Central Texas land will soon become a public park.

On Tuesday, the Austin-based Scott family announced their plans to donate more than $30 million to Travis County for land and development rights; the largest of its kind the county has ever seen.

This financial gift will enable the county to purchase the Scott family's land, previously known as RGK Ranch, to turn it into a park set to open late next year.

Nadya Scott, daughter of Teledyne co-founder George Kozemetsky and his wife Ronya, administered this donation in her family's name. She prioritized selling the land for an affordable price, noting the importance of protecting the hills, canyons and streams on the property.

"I want to preserve the land for future generations because I have seen what happens when the land around a city becomes so valuable that it is sold, and little wild area is preserved," Scott said. "I believe in protecting unique land for the future and I am glad that people before me also wanted to protect land so that I can explore beautiful areas in my travels."

The Scott family received past offers of up to $130 million but ended up selling the 1,507-acre property at a reduced price to prioritize preservation.

Once opened, the park will continue to allow water to disperse into Lake Travis while also offering specific sections for animals to walk as they please.

Originally, RGK ranch was purchased by Scott's parents as a family property more than 50 years ago. Over time, the land was passed down to Scott, her brother Greg Kozmetsky and any grandchildren.

Now, after more than a half-century in the family, the western Travis County ranch will become an outdoor area for all.

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