The Austin Police Department has begun to more strongly enforce parking laws along Loop 360 near the Pennybacker Bridge due to increased dangers stemming from the popularity of sightseeing and hiking in the area. “We have gotten complaints from residents and motorists about pedestrians that have forced us to take a closer look at [activities around the bridge],” Officer Darrell Grayson said. “When you have people standing in the middle of Loop 360 taking pictures or running across, someone is going to get hurt. We have to do our part [to protect them] and bring more awareness to the situation.” Grayson said parking is not allowed anywhere along the Loop 360 right of way, and warnings and tickets will be distributed to those who illegally park in the area. There are signs indicating no parking along both sides of the highway down to the Colorado River, said Christopher Bishop, Austin’s Texas Department of Transportation public information officer. This includes the unpaved area between Courtyard Drive and the bridge, he said. “The area along the cliff is all right of way, and there shouldn’t be any access to those cliffs,” Bishop said. “It is dangerous, and it’s trespassing on private property.” The property along the Colorado River near the Pennybacker Bridge is not parkland that is owned or governed by the city of Austin, said John Nixon, Austin Parks and Recreation’s media contact. The hiking path that begins at Loop 360 and leads to an overlook is not an official trail, he said. “I’m an Austin guy and know the appeal [of the view],” Grayson said. “Parking and safety needs to be looked at and we should look for a permanent solution.” For now, Grayson advises sightseers to avoid all areas with signs indicating no parking and for people to be careful when traveling in the area, whether on foot or in a vehicle. Safer parking location can be found on the residential roads on Shepherd Mountain, he said. Bishop suggested using the Travis County Parks boat ramp and parking area on the south side of the river as an alternative, although he said the view of the river may not be the same. Official city of Austin trails can be found along City Park Road, Nixon said.