The New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the opening Willard Canyon Trail, located off of North Walnut Avenue and Wood Road, at 616 Beverly Lane on Aug. 20.
The details
Fred and Colleen Willard donated the 10-acre property to the city so it could be used as parkland. There are three trail segments that make up Willard Canyon are as follows:
- Canyon Trail: 0.4 miles
- Ledges Trail: 0.35 miles
- Cactus Trail: 0.25 miles
The trail path offers hiking and geocaching opportunities. Willard Canyon also has opportunities to view wildlife. There is no on-site restrooms or water fountains.
Parks and Recreation Director Ken Wilson thanked the Willard's for their property donation.
"Their gift of 10 acres protects the piece of the Hill Country in the heart of New Braunfels. We've heard loud and clear from our residents during our 2024 Community Survey—natural services were rated as [a] number one priority and 3 out of 4 residents said that we should have more," Wilson said.
Cost details
The New Braunfels Parks Foundation provided nearly $20,000 in funding for the development of the trails and a small portion of incidental costs were funded by the city's general parks budget and park development fees, Director of Communications Jenna Vinson said in an email to Community Impact.
What they're saying
Mayor Neal Linnartz said Willard Canyon Trail was a gift to the community.
"We are all thankful for the Willard's generosity," Linnartz said in a news release. "This new park offers residents a quick escape into nature, right in the heart of the city, adding to the growing number of greenspace options offered in New Braunfels."
Jerri Jones, KOM Trails owner and partner, said they were deeply honored to have been involved in the project.
"Contributing to this initiative aligns perfectly with our core values of fostering a trail system that encourages everyone to step outside and embrace nature. We look forward to seeing how this trail system inspires more people to connect with the natural world and cultivate a healthy, active lifestyle," Jones told Community Impact.
