Real Estate Photographer in Cedar Park, TX

CEDAR PARK — If one play illustrates Trae Hill's legacy at Cedar Park, it happened during the District 8-5A DI championship game against Georgetown in early November.

Just a few seconds remained until halftime, and Cedar Park needed 24 yards to reach the end zone. The Timberwolves trailed 30-22. With steely eyes and a voice that could be heard throughout the county, Hill told his teammates that they would score on the following play. Then he demanded the football.

Sure enough, Hill took a short swing pass, collided with a would-be Georgetown tackler around the 10-yard line, and dragged three Eagles forward before falling on the pylon for a touchdown. With the 2-point conversion, the rejuvenated Wolves tied the game 30-30. That was the momentum-shifting play of a 60-52 victory for the new district champions.

"I still get chills thinking about it," Hill said from a secluded Cedar Park locker room last week.

Hill, this past season's Central Texas offensive player of the year, was a chill-a-minute running back during his three seasons on varsity. As a senior, he led Central Texas with 2,300 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns. He pairs with Lake Travis defensive end Carter Buck, who was named Central Texas defensive player of the year, to lead this year's All-Central Texas team, honoring 76 players across 23 teams.

Hill was a model of consistency, averaging 192 rushing yards a game. That included seven 200-yard games in his 12-game season and 11 games with more than 100. With thick legs and broad shoulders, most of Hill's yards came after first contact, Timberwolves coach Michael Quintero said. The coach often told Hill to "tone it down" in practice because he had a habit of hurting defensive players.

"Trae played in games the same way he practiced," Quintero said.

Hill burst upon the local high school scene as a sophomore, earning Central Texas newcomer of the year honors in 2023 after rushing for 1,428 yards and 20 touchdowns. But with high expectations as a junior, his world seemingly collapsed with a turf toe injury in the third game of the 2024 season. He broke a bone in his left big toe and tore ligaments in his foot. He felt "excruciating pain" while doing daily rehabilitation and wasn't cleared to play again until the eve of his senior season in August.

About his injury, Trae said a "blessing came in disguise" because he leaned more on his faith. It lit a burning fire in his belly to get back.

"Before the season, Trae came up to me and said he had a 'personal goal' that he planned to break," Quintero said.

What was the goal?

"Two-thousand yards," Quintero said.

Growing up on the gridiron

Trae Samuel Frost Hill was introduced to competitive football when he joined the Leander Lions of the Cedar Park Youth Football Association while in the third grade. He was a fast but undersized running back who had a genuine fear of getting hurt. His mother said it took about a year for him to gain confidence and accept that football is not for the faint of heart.

"After that first season, he became hooked," Jessica Hill said. "We have photos of him with panic in his face."

Trae said it took one play — a kickoff return for a touchdown against a team from Dripping Springs — to build self-confidence. He said that touchdown was "my awakening."

By the time Hill enrolled in Cedar Park Middle School, he was beginning to develop into the player he has become. He developed a work ethic that impressed is mother and his future high school coach.

"Trae was so skinny, we were never sure if he was ever going to grow," Jessica Hill said. "But he also took the utmost interest in bettering himself. He ate the right foods, went to the gym, developed good sleeping habits, locked himself in. At every level he was always the hardest worker in the room. I might be biased, but I can say he's very focused. He reads the Bible daily and goes to church every week."

Quintero said he noticed something about Hill when he scouted Hill's eighth grade team in the fall of 2021.

"He was different," the coach said. "The way he carried himself, the way he carried the football. He had so much confidence. That became very evident after he finished ninth grade and started spring football. We had a segment in practice for Trae to run the ball against our No. 1 defense. When he was handed the ball, it was like he wanted to find someone to run over.

"When he'd finish the run he yelled to everybody, 'Don't take it easy on me because I won't do that for you. Make me better.'"

Someone who has made Hill better is Storm Woods, a former All-Central Texas running back who went on to rush for 2,674 yards and 25 touchdowns at Oregon State (2012-15). Woods has created a group called Theathelight, which trains young athletes to better themselves on and off the field. Woods was the offensive coordinator for the Hendrickson freshman team when he spotted Hill for the first time.

Hill refers to Woods as his "second father."

Hill often was part of a group that worked together under Woods' mentorship. It didn't take long for Woods to work one-on-one with Hill because the group session was "holding him back." Hill's work ethic was far superior to others Woods has trained.

"Not a lot of kids have actions that match their plan," Wood said. "Trae's action-oriented and obsessive about his work. I'm shocked he hasn't signed (with a college team). When he signs, someone is going to get a steal. ... He's college-ready."

Trae Hill's next step is unknown

Despite Hill's amazing sophomore and senior seasons, he remains available for any college team that wants to take him. He does have a handful of offers — most notably Air Force, UTEP and UTSA — but is open to others who might find interest in him. Hill believes the lack of interest stems from the injury that pretty much wiped out his junior season. He correctly pointed out that college scouts show most interest in high school players during their junior seasons.

The NCAA's transfer portal might be another reason Hill has seen more recruiters on his doorstep. Instead of looking for rising high school stars such as Hill to fill their lineups, college coaches are dipping into the portal to fill instant needs, which can have consequences for high school seniors wanting to play on the next level, Woods said.

In the meantime, Hill is confident all will work out for the best. He knew he needed a remarkable senior season to get on the college radar again. That's why he told his coach he would rush for 2,000 yards.

"I wanted to prove that I belong (in college)," said Hill, who plans to choose a school before national signing day Feb. 4.

No matter what happens next, Hill said he'll never forget his senior season. He got to play with his younger brother, Cash, Cedar Park's starting center and a budding wrestling star. The Timberwolves had a fine 8-4 season and went two rounds into the playoffs. Last month he started to teach himself how to play an acoustic guitar, although he has no plans of joining a rock-0and-roll band anytime soon.

"I know my son's mindset and work ethic," Jessica Hill said. "He's destined for greatness."

The 2025 Central Texas high school football season ended last month, but before we look ahead to the 2026 season, the American-Statesman's annual All-Central Texas team honors the best stars from the fall. These are our picks for Central Texas offensive and defensive players of the year, the newcomer of the year and coach of the year.

Offensive player of the year: Trae Hill

If you had to choose Trae Hill's best game of the season, it had to be Cedar Park's 50-43 Class 5A Division I bidistrict playoff win over Tyler, when the senior running back rushed for 343 yards and two touchdowns. Or was it his 223-yard, three-touchdown performance in the playoff loss to Frisco Wakeland? And don't forget the Timberwolves' 60-52 win over Georgetown to end the regular season (246 yards, four touchdowns). Hill was a model of consistency, rushing for 100 or more yards in every one of Cedar Park's 12 games. The 2023 Central Texas newcomer of the year finished his final season with 2,300 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Defensive player of the year: Carter Buck

During Lake Travis' playoff run, Cavaliers head coach Hank Carter labeled defensive end Carter Buck as "the best high school football player in Texas." That might have been a matter of opinion, but it's easy to see his point. Buck, who has signed with TCU, has been a wrecking ball for the Cavs the past three years, but he emerged as a bonafide superstar this season. His stats don't sound real — 85 tackles, a school-record 22 sacks and a school-record 36 tackles for loss.

Newcomer of the year: Chase Ames

Before the season, Dripping Springs coach Galen Zimmerman told the Statesman that most fans and media were underestimating his Tigers. But Zimmerman had some inside information the rest of us didn't know: Chase Ames, his new quarterback, burst onto the scene in a big way in 2025. Ames averaged 263 passing yards a game, showed amazing accuracy by completing 70.5% of his throws and passed for 47 touchdowns. In a truly remarkable performance in the Class 6A DII playoffs, he went 18-for-18 for 318 yards and six touchdowns in the 45-14 win over Medina Valley. With Ames returning in 2026, no one will sleep on Dripping Springs next season.

Coach of the year: Drew Sanders

Maybe it doesn't seem fair to give our coach of the year award to the same man who won the award in 2024. But one year after leading Vandegrift to the Class 6A DII state championship, Drew Sanders may have done an even better job on the sideline this season. While the 2024 team was loaded with stars who eventually signed to play in college, the 2025 team came in with several new faces. The Vipers' defense returned just three starters from that '24 team. But Vandegrift won a piece of the District 25-6A championship for the eighth straight year and then kept going in the playoffs, upsetting Westlake and Dripping Springs before falling in the states semifinals to Houston King.

Updated: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Jump To: Full-Service | Affordable | Group

As the new year rolls around, many Cedar Park residents are setting fresh fitness goals and looking for a gym that fits their routine. Located just northwest of Austin, Cedar Park offers a strong mix of full-service gyms, affordable fitness centers, and locally owned strength gyms.

Whether you’re new to working out or refining a long-term routine, these gyms in Cedar Park stand out in 2026 for their amenities, programming, and overall value.

Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.

Also, check out our articles on the Healthy Food in Cedar Park, Gyms in Austin, and Late Night Food in Austin!

Full-Service Gyms

Life Time Cedar Park is ideal for members who want a premium, all-in-one fitness experience. The club features expansive workout floors, group classes, pools, recovery amenities, and family-friendly programming.

Where: 13725 Ranch Rd 620 N, Austin, TX 78717 Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 5:00 am – 11:00 pm | Monday – Friday 4:00 am – 12:00 am

Gold’s Gym offers a classic full-service gym setup with extensive strength and cardio equipment. It’s well-suited for members who want flexibility, group classes, and personal training options.

Where: 1314 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 11:00 pm

Infinite8 Fitness is a premier boutique gym in Cedar Park that specializes in high-intensity group workouts and personalized training designed to build strength and community within a supportive environment.

Where: 12800 W Parmer Ln, Suite 212, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Operating Hours: Sunday CLOSED | Monday 5:15 am – 8:00 pm | Monday 5:14 am – 8:00 pm | Tuesday 5:00 am – 8:00 pm | Wednesday 5:15 am – 8:00 pm | Thursday 5:30 am – 8:00 pm | Friday 5:15 am – 4:45 pm | Saturday 6:45 am – 12:30 pm

Affordable & Budget-Friendly Gyms

Streamline Fitness is a veteran-owned gym in Cedar Park that offers a supportive community environment and features diverse programming such as strength and conditioning, Olympic weightlifting, and bodybuilding tailored for all experience levels.

Where: 600 S Bell Blvd #1, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Operating Hours: Sunday CLOSED | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 7:30 pm | Saturday 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Planet Fitness is a popular choice for beginners and casual gym-goers looking for affordability. The gym emphasizes cardio equipment, circuit-style workouts, and a judgment-free environment.

Where: 13530 Ronald Reagan Blvd Ste C-100, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Operating Hours: 24/7

Anytime Fitness offers 24-hour access in a smaller, neighborhood-style gym. It’s ideal for members who want flexible workout times and a less crowded environment.

Where: 12101 W Parmer Ln, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Operating Hours: 24/7

Inspire Fitness is a results-oriented gym in Cedar Park that offers personalized training programs and structured group classes designed to help members achieve their strength and wellness goals in a supportive environment.

Where: 3621 E Whitestone Blvd STE 400, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Operating Hours: Sunday 8:00 am -11:00 am | Monday – Thursday 5:00 am – 8:00 pm | Friday 5:00 am – 1:00 pm | Saturday 7:00 am – 1:00 pm

Group Fitness & Specialty Studios

Orangetheory delivers coach-led group workouts that combine cardio, rowing, and strength training. The structured format appeals to members who want accountability and efficient sessions.

Where: 5001 183A Toll Rd L100, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 12:45 pm | Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 7:45 pm

ISI Elite Training in Cedar Park provides a high-intensity, coach-led functional fitness experience that utilizes athletic-based movements and a supportive community environment to help members of all skill levels achieve sustainable results.

Where: 14105 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Suite 101, Cedar Park, TX 78641 Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday 7:00 am – 10:00 am | Monday 5:00 am – 10:00 am & 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm & 4:30 am – 7:30 pm | Tuesday 5:00 am – 10:00 am & 4:30 am – 7:30 pm | Wednesday 5:00 am – 10:00 am & 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm & 4:30 am – 7:30 pm | Thursday 5:00 am – 10:00 am & 4:30 am – 7:30 pm | Friday 5:00 am – 10:00 am & 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm & 4:30 am – 7:30 pm

F45 focuses on fast-paced functional group workouts that change daily. It’s a strong option for members who enjoy variety, coaching, and high-energy classes

Where: 401 W Whitestone Blvd, Suite 600, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Operating Hours: Daily 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Many gyms offer free trials or New Year promotions, making January a great time to explore the options. Once your workouts are locked in, you can also check out.

FULL RELOCATION STAYS WITHIN TEXAS

Just 16 miles northwest of Austin, Creative 3D Technologies has officially established a new home base in the City of Cedar Park. The single-cell manufacturing and 3D printing platform company has relocated its manufacturing operations and headquarters out of Austin, selecting Cedar Park due to the city’s innovation and advanced manufacturing ecosystem. “This relocation reflects the strength of our innovation ecosystem and is a direct outcome of our collaboration with the Plug and Play Tech Center accelerator, which continues to attract and scale high-growth advanced manufacturing companies and headquarters to Cedar Park,” said City of Cedar Park Chief Economic Development Officer Arthur Jackson. Operations at the new 18,000-sq.-ft. facility will be supported by its EVO multipurpose manufacturing system, an all-in-one solution that features a full suite of industrial 3D printers. Unlike traditional production lines that move a product around to different machines, this technology enables tools to switch out as processes move along, saving space and time during manufacturing. The new site is prepared to aid production requirements for industries including defense and advanced manufacturing.

DEFENSE SUPPLY CHAIN EXPANSION TARGETS VIRGINIA

Just before entering the new year, energy wire and cable products manufacturer LS Cable & System returned to Chesapeake, Virginia, to expand its investment in the region. In April 2025, the company broke ground on the first phase of a new cable manufacturing and pier facility in the city, and now the company has plans to invest in another manufacturing site in Chesapeake. The upcoming $689 million facility, shared by three of the company’s subsidiaries, marks the largest capital investment project in Hampton Roads. Within the new plant, operations will focus on copper rod production, magnet wire manufacturing and rare earth magnet production. LS Cable & System expects this increased domestic supply chain of copper wire and rare earth magnets to play a vital role in strengthening national defense and reducing dependence on importing materials from China. “This investment represents an exciting step in our continuing growth in the United States,” said LS C&S President and CEO Bon-Kyu Koo. “We’re not only expanding our manufacturing capabilities, we’re strengthening the U.S. domestic supply chains and supporting America’s leadership in energy and technology.” The project, which will create 430 new jobs, has been supported by a $1.5 million Virginia Investment Performance Grant.

Watch for insights into this project and much more in the Hampton Roads Intelligence Report, to be published in the highly anticipated March 2026 issue of Site Selection.

PLUGGING INTO WESTPOORT

Pure Data Centres has announced the launch of its new data center campus in Amsterdam. Upon securing a site in the city’s Westpoort industrial district from the Port of Amsterdam, Pure DC plans to invest over $1 billion in the development of the campus. Project details include three 278-foot towers, each housing 26 megawatts of data halls. These towers will be powered by a private 100 Mega Volt-Ampere substation, in addition to a firm connection into the 50-kilovolt grid. Site development is slated to begin this month, creating more than 1,000 indirect jobs. Once operational, Pure DC anticipates about 80 direct jobs will be created at the site. “Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most constrained markets for digital infrastructure and Pure DC has again demonstrated its ability to unlock new low-latency, high-quality capacity,” said Pure DC CEO Dame Dawn Childs. “This deal demonstrates how our specialist teams have the creativity and approach to deliver compelling proposals — delivering solutions for local authorities, potential customers and our supply chain.”

Reports compiled and written by Alexis Elmore

A slew of big businesses and projects are setting their sights on Central Texas next year. From Samsung set to fully open its $17 billion chip factory to Tiger Woods' mini-golf chain expanding outside of Austin, there are several major retailers and companies that Texans can expect soon.

This is especially true for North Austin residents living in nearby towns like Cedar Park, Taylor and Liberty Hill that are experiencing massive growth spurts from these projects. Here's a list of all the new developments set for the Austin area in 2026:

Samsung Taylor

In July, a spokesperson for Samsung and a city official confirmed to MySA that its Taylor plant is 'on target' to be operational by the end of 2026. The $17 billion project broke ground in 2022 with plans to boost U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and create jobs in Central Texas.

Find it: 1530 FM973, Taylor, TX 76574

Submersive Spa

Meow Wolf co-founder Corvas Brinkerhoff is planning to create the world's first immersive art and relaxation experience in Austin. Submersive plans to open the first half of the trippy spa at an undisclosed Austin location in 2026, although the full spa won't open until 2027.

Aldi Cedar Park

Earlier this year, Aldi set plans to build a small $1.75 million grocery store in Cedar Park. Although the company has not yet announced an official opening date, construction on the 23,606-square-foot store is slated to end in February 2026, per the TDLR.

Find it:850 N. Bell Blvd., Suite 104, Cedar Park, TX 78613

PopStroke Cedar Park

Tiger Woods' mini-golf chain is planning to open its second Austin-area location in Cedar Park next year. The Florida-based company has not released an opening date, but construction on the 13,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed by April 2026, according to a TDLR filing.

Find it: 817 C-Bar Ranch Trl, Cedar Park, TX 78613

Uniqlo Austin

This popular Japanese clothing brand set plans for its first Central Texas store in October. Uniqlo is building a $2.4 million store at Barton Creek Square, Austin's last remaining indoor mall. Construction is expected to be finished by September 4, 2026.

Find it: 2901 S. Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, TX

H Mart Austin

Korean supermarket chain H Mart is expanding to build another Austin location. Its newest Burnet Road location isn't open yet, but it's marked as "coming soon" online, so it could very well be opening sometime in 2026.

Find it: 5222 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78756

Costco Liberty Hill

Costco is building a massive $62.6 million warehouse in Liberty Hill, a town about 30 miles north of Austin. The 160,000-square-foot store could potentially open by March 2026.

Find it: HWY 183 & Seward JCT Loop, Liberty Hill, TX 78642

Target Liberty Hill

Liberty Hill is also on track to welcome a snazzy new Target at the intersection of U.S. 183 and Texas 29. This $22 million project will be a 149,000-square-foot store, with construction set to wrap by July 2026.

Find it:351 US 183, Liberty Hill, TX 78642