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Bandera City Council Member Lynn Palmer displays a shadow box/plaque that will be presented during the Gumball 3000 Bandera event, set to take place Monday, June 8.
Photos by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
June 4, 2026
Bandera City Park gates to open
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera City Council members this week unanimously approved reopening Bandera City Park, just in time for Father's Day.
“I think we jumped the gun on closing it,” Council Member Tammy Ott Morrow said during Tuesday evening’s special meeting.
The park was closed because of poor water quality, however steady spring rains have improved conditions, somewhat. The last surface water test was performed in March by the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District. At that time, only the Western Verde Creek at the Hill Country State Natural Area registered more than 399 MPN (Most Probable Number), the standard set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for limited to no water contact. Bandera City Park registered 186 MPN.
Newly hired City Administrator Toni Kunz said season passes are beneficial for county residents, which typically cost $100 for the summer. Mayor Denise Griffin suggested $75 for season passes, since two big weekends (Easter and Memorial Day) have already passed. General admission for the park is $10 - adults and children 12-plus years old; and $5 - Bandera County residents and kids ages 6-11. Active military, veteran, first responders, seniors 65 and older, Bandera ISD students and kids younger than 6 are free.
In other business, Council Member Lynn Palmer displayed a plaque that will be presented during the Gumball 3000 event, which is set to take place on Monday, June. 8. Bandera is the last stop in the U.S., before 100-plus drivers continue south to Mexico. The luxury car show will arrive at 11th Street around 10 a.m., and the Western Parade is set to begin at 2 p.m.
“I think we jumped the gun on closing it,” Council Member Tammy Ott Morrow said during Tuesday evening’s special meeting.
The park was closed because of poor water quality, however steady spring rains have improved conditions, somewhat. The last surface water test was performed in March by the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District. At that time, only the Western Verde Creek at the Hill Country State Natural Area registered more than 399 MPN (Most Probable Number), the standard set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for limited to no water contact. Bandera City Park registered 186 MPN.
Newly hired City Administrator Toni Kunz said season passes are beneficial for county residents, which typically cost $100 for the summer. Mayor Denise Griffin suggested $75 for season passes, since two big weekends (Easter and Memorial Day) have already passed. General admission for the park is $10 - adults and children 12-plus years old; and $5 - Bandera County residents and kids ages 6-11. Active military, veteran, first responders, seniors 65 and older, Bandera ISD students and kids younger than 6 are free.
In other business, Council Member Lynn Palmer displayed a plaque that will be presented during the Gumball 3000 event, which is set to take place on Monday, June. 8. Bandera is the last stop in the U.S., before 100-plus drivers continue south to Mexico. The luxury car show will arrive at 11th Street around 10 a.m., and the Western Parade is set to begin at 2 p.m.