Diving in deeper
The city has upheld the 7 p.m. park closure in 2022 and 2023 due to an order made by the New Braunfels Police Department. River and Watershed Manager Amy Niles said beginning in 2022 there were multiple instances of the police department responding to calls at the park after admission was no longer charged.
“Because these decisions were made as a response to the behavior that was seen, there wasn't an opportunity to have proactive messaging that went out ahead of time, and so that's what we're trying to address today,” Niles said.
NBPD Captain Michael Penshorn said before park closures were put in place, nonresidents of New Braunfels would enter the park around its closure at 7 p.m. nearly every weekend.
“We've had incidents involving drugs, weapons, we've actually had shots fired in the park itself from some of these individuals that are coming,” Penshorn said.
The amended ordinance puts in place a 7 p.m. closure time for the park on weekends and Independence Day. Additional park closures will occur on July 3 if it falls on a Monday and July 5 if it occurs on a Friday to address potential long holiday weekends, Niles said.
“Just to be clear, that staff isn't proposing an ordinance that will close the Comal River in any way,” Niles said. “We're just proposing an ordinance that will close the city-owned property around the Tube Chute [in] the City Tube Chute Park. So the public will still have access to the Comal River and visitors as well.”
A closer look
Niles said the river can still be accessed through private property, Hinman Island Park or the last tubers exit. The Comal River will remain open and accessible after 7 p.m., and those tubing will still be allowed to portage around the Tube Chute Dam but are expected to return to the river to continue their float, according to the ordinance.
The River Advisory Committee reviewed the proposed changes on Feb. 15 and voted unanimously to recommend the ordinance for council approval.
