Despite staffing challenges and more rain days than in previous years, city staff reported that the 2021 river season was marked by increases in first-time guests and parking revenue.

“We did have seasonal staffing challenges just like everybody else in town,” said Amy Niles, river operations manager for the city, during an Oct. 11 report given to City Council members. “[The Parks and Recreation Department] did a great job with the staff that they did get, and we hope that next year we'll be able to staff a bit better.”

Compared to the 2020 season, Niles said the number of new guests and families that visited the river increased and river staff saw greater interest in initiatives such as the free life jacket program and the tube chute by-pass wristbands.

Although there were more rainy days this season than in previous years, Niles said the increase in visitors contributed to revenues returning to nearly pre-pandemic levels.

During the 2019 season, the river generated $1.26 million, and in 2020 that number dropped to $643,307 as coronavirus restrictions caused significant closures. During the 2021 season, the seasonal revenue is estimated to be $1.07 million.

Parking fees are one of the largest contributors to the river fund, and $448,100 was collected during the 2021 season, Niles said. “[It is] kind of remarkable when you consider that we only had three of the five parking lots open this year, and we've had a significant number of rain days on our popular weekends,” she said.

Ahead of the 2022 river season, Niles said funding has been set aside to make improvements to the Prince Solms parking lot ,and the Comal River Improvement Project is now in the conceptual design phase.

The department is researching grant opportunities that could help fund portions of the improvement project, Niles said.