Government
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Community celebrates completion of new park The New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the opening of Willard Canyon Trail, a new park area located o 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 park- land. The park has three dierent trails totaling one mile. KOM Trails—a Leander-based contractor spe- cializing in trail building—was the contractor on the project. The trail path oers hiking opportu- nities. Willard Canyon also has opportunities to view wildlife. There are no on-site restrooms or water fountains. Parks and Recreation Director Ken Wil- son thanked the Willards 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 three out of four residents said that we should have more,” Wilson said. What they’re saying Mayor Neal Linnartz said Willard Canyon Trail was a gift to the community. “This new park oers residents a quick escape into nature, right in the heart of the city, adding to the growing number of green space options oered in New Braunfels,” Linnartz said in a
$240k allocated to remap oodplain New Braunfels City Council allocated up to $240k in economic development corporation funds for the Dry Comal Creek, or DCC, Floodplain Remapping Project Aug. 11. The overview The DCC is a major waterway through New Braunfels and can be a major source of ood- ing. Garry Ford, director of transportation and capital improvements, said the map needs to be updated periodically to maintain ood- plain accuracy. It would also help provide economic development opportunities. Ford said there are people interested in developing adjacent to the creek. Although the project began well ahead of the devastating oods seen in the Texas Hill Country over the summer, the tragedy high- lights the importance of keeping oodplain maps up to date, Ford said in a news release. The project will begin in late 2025 or early 2026, Communications Manager David Fergu- son said in an email to Community Impact .
Fred and Colleen Willard, community members and city o cials, celebrated the opening of Willard Canyon Trail on Aug. 20.
AMIRA VAN LEEUWENCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Willard Canyon Park The park is made up of three trail segments.
46
Canyon Trail: 0.4 miles Ledges Trail: 0.35 miles Cactus Trail: 0.25 miles
FOREST LN.
N
NOTE: TRAIL MAP IS NOT APPROXIMATE.
news release. Jerri Jones, KOM Trails owner and partner, said they were 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 .
New Braunfels
Study stream City limits
46
1 SCS Site #2 Reservoir
337
1863
1
GUADALUPE RIVER
1044
35
N
City Council approves contract for airport terminal feasibility and planning study New Braunfels City Council approved a $185,701 contract with PGAL for a terminal feasibility and planning study for the New Braunfels National Airport on July 28. What you need to know 35 1101
documenting limitations at the current facility and identifying missed economic opportunities due to space constraints, including limitations on corpo- rate aviation, business jet activity and additional aviation services, Communications Manager David Ferguson said in an email to Community Impact . Looking ahead The study is anticipated to be complete by early 2026, before going back to City Council, Ferguson said in the email.
PGAL is an international design ¡rm that has experience working with airports of similar size throughout Texas, according to agenda docu- ments. The study will provide the foundation for potential investments in a new airport by
New Braunfels National Airport
46
728
N
13
NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook