Lake Pflugerville, the city’s 180-acre water reservoir, usually draws large crowds for events such as the annual Lake Pflugerville Triathlon, but city officials say the lake has been especially busy as a recreation spot this year, leading to some maintenance and public safety challenges. In response to the rising popularity of Lake Pflugerville as a venue for recreational activities, as well as a community survey stating the lake is the location residents don’t feel safe walking at night, Pflugerville police increased their patrols there this summer, Pflugerville Assistant Police Chief Jim McLean said. The department added weekday and weeknight lake patrol shifts, increased weekend patrols and is requesting the hire of two additional officers whose primary duty will be to police the lake during the summer, he said. “As things have continued to develop, [Lake Pflugerville] has become even more popular, and it has drawn bigger and bigger crowds,” McLean said. “We decided it was in everyone’s best interest to patrol it pretty heavily.” According to police records, police responded to about seven thefts and vehicle burglaries at the lake in June and July. Pflugerville Police Chief Charles Hooker said the department has seen a “massive increase in calls for service” around the lake, but the majority of the incidents have been minor and not criminal in nature. James Hemenes, director of the Pflugerville Parks and Recreation Department, said the large number of summer visitors is beginning to take a toll on the lake’s amenities. “The restrooms, the parking, really the beach space is probably getting close to capacity on certain days of the week,” he said. “We’ve been dealing with the [challenges of] increased popularity in litter control especially.” Hemenes partly attributes the lake’s increased popularity to the attention generated by an $8 million lake improvement bond voters approved in November. The bond funding will support projects proposed in the new Lake Pflugerville Master Plan such as an amphitheater, an expanded beach area and additional parking, Hemenes said. Because of other park projects underway, Hemenes said it could be a year before the bond funds begin to be put to use. Briana Roehling, owner of Pflugerville fitness company Seigga Multisport, said she often exercises at Lake Pflugerville. She said the area attracts runners because it has a looped track about the same length as a 5K and offers training opportunities for triathlon participants. “If you go there on a Saturday or Sunday early in the morning there are a ton of people running or cycling or swimming,” she said. Hemenes said he expects Lake Pflugerville to become even busier in the coming years, especially as new residents move to the area around the lake east of SH 130. “I think more people are finding out about [the lake],” he said. “People are finding there is a lot of opportunity for recreation there. They’re seeing this gem that used to be pretty hidden.”