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Additional issues along the San Marcos River include: (01 <br /> • Soil compaction <br /> • Drainage <br /> • Trash collection <br /> • Dog waste <br /> Eighteen miles southwest along Interstate 35 is the <br /> neighboring city of New Braunfels. In 2016,the population <br /> of New Braunfels was just under 74,000,as compared to <br /> San Marcos,which was just under 62,000. Both the Comal <br /> and Guadalupe Rivers run through the center of the city.The <br /> Comal River is fed from the Edward Aquifer and remains at a <br /> constant 70 to 72 degrees year around.Along the Guadalupe <br /> River,visitors can spend the night at a campsite or cabin. <br /> Similar to San Marcos,water recreation,such as tubing and <br /> fishing can be enjoyed on both of these rivers. <br /> Another nearby community is the City of Austin,which is 32 <br /> miles northwest of San Marcos.Austin is a much larger city, <br /> with a population of just under 948,000(2016). Barton Creek <br /> is located in the southwest part of Austin and flows into the <br /> Colorado River.The Barton Creek Greenbelt, Barton Creek <br /> Wilderness Park,and Zilker Metropolitan Park are all located <br /> along Barton Creek. Hiking, rock climbing,swimming,and <br /> biking are some of the activities enjoyed in these areas. <br /> One significant difference between these three riverfront O <br /> communities is that both New Braunfels and Austin are <br /> more proactive in controlling access to their riverfront parks <br /> system.As such, in 2017,the City of San Marcos approved <br /> several ordinance modifications to better protect the San <br /> Marcos River from over-crowding.The improvements <br /> included: <br /> • Moving picnic sites further away from the river in all <br /> riverfront parks <br /> • Removing on-street parking on Cheatham Street at <br /> Rio Vista during weekends and holidays <br /> • Removing various picnic tables and all grills in Rio <br /> Vista Park <br /> • Prohibiting tents and other forms of shelter in areas <br /> not designated for picnic facilities <br /> • Prohibiting charcoal and wood burning grills in the <br /> riverfront parks from City Park to Ramon Lucio Park <br /> Early reports from residents indicate that these preliminary <br /> improvements have indeed helped to reduce the <br /> overcrowding of the San Marcos riverfront parks system. <br /> Additional improvements may be warranted,though, as the <br /> popularity of the San Marcos River continues to grow. <br /> D <br /> 64 City of San Marcos, Texas I San Marcos Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan <br />