Following several months of stakeholder committee meetings, the Lower Colorado River Authority has taken steps to improve the 80-year-old Mansfield Dam Low Water Crossing Recreation Area, 14100 Low Water Crossing Road, Austin, in an unincorporated area of Travis County.

Proposal

The project was created to “address safety and environmental concerns with the current use” of the park, LCRA Parks Superintendent Susie Baxter-Harwell said.

The LCRA proposed a $400,000 improvement project for the park at a neighborhood meeting in May 2015, including new restrooms, or comfort stations, adding more parking to the lot and a guard gate at the entrance.

“We are still tweaking the design of the restrooms/comfort station,” said LCRA Park Development Manager Marcia Purvis, who conducted the stakeholder meetings. “We are trying to mimic the art deco architecture of the nearby power house building.”

This first phase of a two-phase project would include adding a park host site that would house a recreational vehicle for two caretakers to live in while they maintain and secure the grounds.

Although ultimately the parking lot would be expanded to accommodate 70 cars in the project’s second phase, the first phase added 10 additional parking spots for visitors, Baxter-Harwell said.

Neighbor concerns, fence

Residents in the area voiced concern that the improved park would draw more visitors who may trespass on their properties that adjoin the lake—parking kayaks on backyards, drinking and loitering.

“Safety has been a concern [for the park] from the very start,” stakeholder committee member Tom Sapio said. “I never wanted this enhancement inviting folks to dangerous situations and intrusions to one’s privacy.”

He said the strong current from the dam, shallow water and large boulders may seriously injure swimmers and canoe users in the park. Additionally, he said traffic on RR 620 is dangerous at the park entrance.

The stakeholder committee, in its advisory capacity, proposed a fence adjacent to the lake as a safety measure for lakeside owners.

Park fee

Currently, the Mansfield Dam park does not have a usage fee.

Stakeholder committee member Bill Wofford, who represents park users, said he conducted a survey of 100 park users over 35 days in August and September. He said 67 percent of respondents said a fee would probably change how they use the park area.

LCRA will decide whether to charge a park fee prior to the project’s June completion, Baxter-Harwell said.