Comal Park Will Not Reopen on April 1, WORD Says

Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) said today, March 26, it will not reopen Comal Park on April 1.

“In an effort to protect public health and discourage social gathering the Water Oriented Recreation District has decided to keep Comal Park closed until further notice,” WORD Assistant Manager Beverly Lopez said in an email.

She said WORD will reevaluate this decision at its April 15 meeting. The park normally operates from April 1 to Sept. 30.

USACE announced on March 16 that had leased Comal Park to WORD.

The 116-acre Comal Park is located on the south short of Canyon Lake near Startzville, and features two boat ramps (#3 and #4), 55 picnic sites, a large swim beach, a children’s playground and a restroom.

When it dos reopen, WORD will charge a $10 access fee per vehicle to cover Comal Park’s operating costs.

“The goal of this park is to generate enough revenue to break even and cover all annual operating costs,” Lopez said. “WORD’s goal is to provide affordable recreational opportunities to all. WORD has been implementing various park improvements including swim beach expansion, volleyball court, washer pits, and much more.

“Additionally, WORD is looking at options to replace the playground structure that was removed prior to our lease,” she said. “We are excited to invite the public in as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.”

WORD is a park-and-recreation district created by the Texas Legislature in 1987 and approved by Comal County voters in 1988. The district encompasses Canyon Lake and over 30 miles of floatable water on the Guadalupe River above and below Canyon Lake.

The district is funded entirely by tourists who visit the district. WORD issues permits to water-related businesses, which in turn collect user-fees from customers.

For more information, email info@wordcc.com.

Also on Thursday, the City of New Braunfels closed Last Tuber’s Exit, City Tube Chute and the Landa Park wading pool in an effort to reduce crowds who continued to congregate there despite a stay-at-home order that went into effect at midnight on Wednesday, March 25.

Police said they would actively patrol those areas.

The following parks also are closed: River Acrew, Hinman Island, Cypress Bend and Prince Solms.