City parks to reopen beginning Friday

The City of San Marcos will reopen its riverfront parks on Friday, following a nearly two-month closure. 
 
The parks will reopen for active recreation from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and will operate seven days a week. The parks were originally closed on March 24 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. With the parks’s reopening, the city is advising all visitors to use caution and exercise responsibly to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which includes maintaining social distancing, washing hands and wearing a mask or face coverings when distancing isn’t possible. 
 
“We know the community is excited to see our river parks reopen, but we strongly advise park goers to maintain personal responsibility when it comes to keeping themselves and those around them safe,” Mayor Jane Hughson said in a statement. “The virus is still in our City and is still very contagious, so large crowds of people in our river parks are highly discouraged.”
 
Parks reopening Friday include: Rio Vista Park; City Park, which includes Dog Beach; San Marcos Plaza Park; Juan Veramendi Plaza Park; William & Eleanor Crook Park; Hays County Veterans Memorial; JJ Stokes Park; and Ramon Lucio Park, which also includes the San Marcos Wildlife Annex. The city’s skate park and tennis courts at Rio Vista Park will also reopen on Friday. 
 
The city states that individuals may use the river for recreation such as tubing, kayaking, canoeing and swimming. Dog walking and exercise will be permitted on park trails open to the public.  
 
The city’s playgrounds, basketball courts and pavilions in all parks will remain closed. Additionally, Rio Vista Pool, Bicentennial Park, Children’s Park, Thompson’s Island, Cape’s Dam/Camp and the Dog Park will remain closed. Construction is currently active on the San Marcos Shared Use Path Trail project in portions of Rio Vista Park, Children’s Park and Bicentennial Park. 
 
According to the city, bathroom facilities and hand washing stations will be cleaned three times a day and will close at dusk. Parking will be permitted at the Fish Hatchery, Ramon Lucio Park and along CM Allen Parkway and Cheatham Street.  The city stated that parking, however, will not be permitted at Rio Vista Park. The city will display signage to direct park patrons in and around the parks and on a safe route back to City Park.
 
The city said it will evaluate the riverfront park reopening and monitor the local COVID-19 case count to determine whether removing restrictions has a negative public health impact. 
 
The city also announced Wednesday that it will open additional facilities such as the Public Library, Activity Center and other parks and playgrounds on a phased schedule based on the reduction of virus cases within the city and Hays County. 

This story has been updated since its first publication. 

Original story:

The City of San Marcos will reopen its parks beginning Friday, the city announced during its regular city council meeting. 

The city’s parks will open with operating hours between 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. for active recreation activities — only running, walking and enjoying the river. 

Gathering in groups and sunbathing, however, are still not permitted. 

Public Safety Director Chase Stapp said there is no indication case counts are going down at this point. He encourages residents to take social distancing seriously and to make responsible choices while enjoying the parks and riverfront.

— Stephanie Gates (@StephJGates) May 19, 2020