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Photo by Jessica Nohealapa'ahi Goode
June 23, 2020
City Park admission doubled for out-of-county visitors
By Jessica Nohealapa'ahi Goode
The Bandera Prophet
“We are getting slammed,” Bandera City Administrator J. Horry said regarding the City Park. “It’s a very odd year.”
Horry said he considered recommending charging admission all week long, however he said the brunt of the burden of keeping the park clean is over the weekend, when people from San Antonio and beyond come to visit. He said thousands of pounds of trash are left behind, and often not in the trash cans.
Recommending the city charge more for out-of-county visitors, Horry said the extra revenue would help pay for the maintenance of the park.
“Every dumpster is full,” Horry said, adding city crews fish trash thrown in the river every weekend. “People don’t respect the property. You’d be surprised at what’s left in the park when the day is over.”
Horry said the park is generating between $8,000 and $8,500 per day, “which is the most brought in since I’ve been here.”
Council Member Don Clark suggested the city consider hiring a full-time officer who would monitor the park for illegal entry and dumping. Horry said reserve deputies work the park during the weekend, and issue tickets for speeding, alcohol possession and DWI.
“I’m not aware how many tickets are written for littering,” Horry said.
City Secretary Jill Shelton said the park manager continually watches people attempt to enter the park without paying. She said they are told they have to buy a ticket and wear a wristband, which is a different color every day. When they don’t comply, she said the marshal’s office is called.
“Some of these people aren’t nice,” Shelton said, adding marshals also patrol the park. “There’s a fight every weekend.”
Effective July 1, from Friday through Sunday and on holidays, general admission for out-of-county residents is $10 per person; the fee for county residents is $5 per person; active military, veterans, first responders and seniors (65 and over) are $3 per person; disabled veterans, BISD students and children 6 and under are free. Season park passes are $100 for in-county residents, and pavilion rentals are $100 plus a $75 refundable deposit.
Horry said he considered recommending charging admission all week long, however he said the brunt of the burden of keeping the park clean is over the weekend, when people from San Antonio and beyond come to visit. He said thousands of pounds of trash are left behind, and often not in the trash cans.
Recommending the city charge more for out-of-county visitors, Horry said the extra revenue would help pay for the maintenance of the park.
“Every dumpster is full,” Horry said, adding city crews fish trash thrown in the river every weekend. “People don’t respect the property. You’d be surprised at what’s left in the park when the day is over.”
Horry said the park is generating between $8,000 and $8,500 per day, “which is the most brought in since I’ve been here.”
Council Member Don Clark suggested the city consider hiring a full-time officer who would monitor the park for illegal entry and dumping. Horry said reserve deputies work the park during the weekend, and issue tickets for speeding, alcohol possession and DWI.
“I’m not aware how many tickets are written for littering,” Horry said.
City Secretary Jill Shelton said the park manager continually watches people attempt to enter the park without paying. She said they are told they have to buy a ticket and wear a wristband, which is a different color every day. When they don’t comply, she said the marshal’s office is called.
“Some of these people aren’t nice,” Shelton said, adding marshals also patrol the park. “There’s a fight every weekend.”
Effective July 1, from Friday through Sunday and on holidays, general admission for out-of-county residents is $10 per person; the fee for county residents is $5 per person; active military, veterans, first responders and seniors (65 and over) are $3 per person; disabled veterans, BISD students and children 6 and under are free. Season park passes are $100 for in-county residents, and pavilion rentals are $100 plus a $75 refundable deposit.