New Braunfels to vote on $56 million park plan despite traffic fears

The city of New Braunfels will hold a vote on Nov. 9 to determine whether to adopt the master plan for its 145-acre Northwest Park project. The proposal outlines a development that would cost approximately $56.2 million if built in a single phase, but the plan currently lacks a construction timeline because it is unfunded. City staff intend to move forward with engineering and design work only after the council approves the framework, allowing for traffic impact analyses to begin.

Public input gathered during the planning process revealed strong support for natural features. A survey of approximately 340 residents found that 87% wanted the park to focus on nature and shade, while 61% requested trails and connectivity. Most survey respondents, specifically 83%, lived in the surrounding subdivisions of Wasser Ranch, Northwest Crossing, Cloud Country, or Arroyo Verde. The proposed amenities include a multiuse pavilion, a splash feature, and 4.65 miles of trails that would link to the Texas Bicentennial Trail and Alligator Creek Trail.

Resident concerns have centered less on the park itself and more on how vehicles will reach it. During open house events held in October at City Hall and the Wasser Ranch Homeowners Association Park, neighbors raised alarms about speeding, the Orion Drive railroad crossing, and congestion from the ongoing Goodwin/Conrads Lane construction. Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney stated that the Orion Drive crossing is outside city limits and that Comal County officials are working with the state to improve safety there. Matney noted that the temporary traffic patterns from the bond project are nearly complete, leaving the park access route as the primary remaining issue.

The specific point of contention is the proposed secondary access point through Alster and Pader. Many residents in the adjacent Wasser Ranch subdivision oppose the Pader/Alster connection because it would place park traffic in front of their homes. City staff are currently negotiating with the homeowners association to acquire property that would allow the secondary access road to travel behind the houses instead. Matney confirmed that the city has started these conversations to address the community's feedback.

Council members expressed mixed reactions to the financial and practical aspects of the plan. District 1 Council member Toni Carter described the $56 million price tag as a large sum and suggested that not every piece of land needs to be developed. Conversely, District 4 Council member Lawrence Spradley and District 6 Council member Nikki Shaw expressed enthusiasm for preserving the green space. District 4 resident Jonathan Alorda argued that the traffic complaints were separate from the merits of the park itself.

The project is unfunded, and the city has not identified a specific revenue source yet. Matney indicated that future funding could come from a bond proposition, grants, or park development fees. If the council adopts the plan on Nov. 9, the city will proceed with the necessary engineering studies and design work. The plan also includes space for a commercial business at the trailhead and rain gardens to manage stormwater runoff.

Residents who live near the planned site have been encouraged to stay involved in the process. Destin Singleton, a member of the parks and recreation advisory board, told the council that the city would continue to listen to community feedback as the project moves through the approval stages. The final decision on the master plan is scheduled for the Nov. 9 council meeting.