Ord 2019-012/adopting the 2019 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan

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Action FF-1.5. Conduct an evaluation to consider the establishment of fees for parking along the riverfront parks system. The City of New Braunfels collects almost $300,000 to $500,000 in annual revenue which goes to parks system improvements and security.These funds are placed in a special revenue account.As the City of San Marcos and the surrounding region continue to grow, the use of the riverfront parks system will increase along with the demand for parking.The City can benefit from this increased use by charging for parking in this area. The defined parking areas identified in Appendix C, on page C-3, provide the opportunity to establish paid parking for peak season access to the riverfront parks system. Action FF-1.6. Explore additional ways to improve cost recovery in the riverfront parks. This could include more pavilions and picnic shelters that can be rented. Set out in Figure 3.19, How Important Do You Think the Following Considerations Are?, are the responses that show that survey respondents are supportive of charging an entrance or parking fee per vehicle for non- residents for the riverfront parks.This fee would be one way to improve cost recovery at these parks. Some survey respondents also indicated that they would like there to be an entrance fee per vehicle for all visitors at the riverfront parks which would be another way to improve cost recovery. Action FF-1.7. Consider establishing a voluntary contribution fee at each trailhead in the City's greenspace parks system. As identified in Figure 3.34, In Order to Help Offset Staffing and Maintenance Costs of the City's Greenspace System, Please Check the Following Items That You Think You Could Support?, around 54 percent of survey respondents indicated that they would like to see a donation box established using a trailhead kiosk lock box and honor system. Action FF-1.8. Reevaluate the City's contract with the Lion's Club regarding the allocation of fees. Currently,the Lion's Club provides the City approximately$12,000 to $15,000 a year in fees for exclusive provision of tubing concessions along the San Marcos River in the City's riverfront parks system. Moving forward,the City should renegotiate with the Lion's Club to make that an agreeable percentage of profits so the City/Lion's Club both work together and they both benefit from years with greater profits. Action FF-1.9. Consider establishing a fee at each trailhead in the City's greenspace parks system. As identified in Figure 3.34, In Order to Help Offset Staffing and Maintenance Costs of the City's Greenspace System, Please Check the Following Items That You Think You Could Support?, around 28 percent of Q respondents would like to charge an entrance fee for non-City residents and 19 percent of respondents would like to charge an entrance fee for all visitors.This could include a specified amount for each vehicle in the parking lot and could or could not include a designated waiver for residents within the City limits. Chapter 3 I System Analysis, Needs, and Recommendations 139