Liberty Hill city leaders and volunteers celebrated the city’s designation as an International Dark Sky Community on July 23, 2025, making it the first such community in Williamson County and joining other certified places in Texas and nationwide.

The designation recognizes the community’s work to reduce light pollution through a 2022 outdoor lighting ordinance, inventories and retrofits of public lighting and a volunteer-led outreach campaign. "Liberty Hill's commitment to preserving the night sky is a shining example of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose and passion," the council speaker said, attributing a quote to Cindy Luongo Cassidy, board president of Dark Sky Texas. Amber from Dark Sky International congratulated Liberty Hill, noting the designation reflects a multi‑year, multistakeholder effort.

Why it matters: the city and volunteer group Save Our Stars described concrete next steps to maintain certification and extend outreach. City staff said they have inventoried more than 1,100 lights, initiated retrofits at City Hall, the Stubblefield Building and public parks, and committed to completing city retrofits — including streetlights maintained by PEC — by August 2027. "For over 4 years, the volunteers of Liberty Hills Save Our Stars has worked tirelessly to protect our night skies," Donna Leonard, founder of Liberty Hills Save Our Stars, told the council.

City officials, county representatives and Dark Sky Texas emphasized education and partnership. Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Diane Williams recalled growing up in Liberty Hill and warned that "as the city grew, so did the light population that threatened to take that away," praising volunteer and city efforts. County Commissioner Cynthia Long congratulated the city and said River Ranch Community Park remains available for public star‑watching events; she reported only minimal flood damage to that park after recent storms.

Volunteers and staff described outreach programs the city and Save Our Stars will continue or expand: night‑lighting audits, an annual star party with the Austin Astronomical Society, a night‑sky‑friendly business recognition program, planned workshops with nearby aspiring dark‑sky communities, and outreach to homeowners associations about responsible lighting practices. Organizers also said they will undertake ongoing sky darkness monitoring to document compliance and track data over time.

Council members and allied officials presented ceremonial awards and letters from nearby Jonestown’s mayor, and the gathering ended with public thanks and a short recess for photographs. The council did not take formal regulatory action during the celebration; items described are implementation commitments described in presentations and public remarks.

Looking ahead: organisers said they will continue retrofits and public education to sustain the designation and support other area communities seeking similar recognition.