Crane’s Mill Park on the southwestern side of Canyon Lake will reopen to the public in early May.
Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) said it signed an agreement to lease and manage the park from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which owns all of the land surrounding Canyon Lake.
USACE closed the scenic park on Dec. 31, 2025. WORD hopes to reopen it May 2.
In a statement today, WORD General Manager Mike Dussere said Crane’s Mill Park will operate on a day-use basis, but Crane’s Mill RV Park will make necessary improvements and install new amenities for RV campers.
“Our primary goal is to ensure that Crane’s Mill Park remains a vibrant, accessible space for the community,” he said. “We plan to bring the same level of oversight and excellence to Crane’s Mill Park that we have established at our other parks.”
WORD also leases and manages Canyon Lake’s popular Comal and Canyon parks and over 30 miles of floatable water on the Guadalupe River above and below Canyon Lake. The district is funded through revenue collected from water-oriented businesses.
Existing amenities at Crane’s Mill Park include Canyon Lake Boat Ramp #10 and a once-popular crappie dock.
However, the boat ramp will remain closed to motorized vessels due to low lake levels. WORD plans to modify the ramp to make it easier to launch non-motorized vessels like kayaks.
The Crappie Dock is in poor condition and also unusable due to low lake levels.
WORD Communications & Events Coordinator Alexis Runnels said the Crappie Dock also is the site of “multiple incidences of criminal behavior.”
Other phased improvements at Cranes Mill Park include swim beaches, a lawn-games area, new playground equipment, and designated areas for sports and group recreation.
Operations will include dedicated cleaning staff and on-site support to ensure facilities remain safe, clean and well-maintained.
“Our focus is on providing a clean, safe, and accessible environment for everyone who visits,” said WORD Parks Manager Dylan Murrell. “By assuming this lease we can ensure that Crane’s Mill Park remains a functional and enjoyable resource for both residents and visitors to Comal County.”