WORD Plans ‘Soft Opening’ of Comal Park for Residents Only

Three hundred Comal County residents will get a chance to preview upgrades to Comal Park on May 8, 9 and 10.

On Monday, Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD), which leased the park this spring from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), announced on Facebook it is planning a “soft opening” of Comal Park and invited residents to click this link to apply for a chance to win a free pass.

Vehicles must be registered in Comal County. Only one entry per email will be valid. The number of guests per car is limited to eight. Day passes are non-transferrable.

“This is by pre-invitation only and you cannot just show up on those days as you will not be allowed in without a pass,” WORD said.

The 116-acre Comal Park, is located on the south shore of Canyon Lake near Startzville, remains closed. The date for a permanent reopening is not set.

“This soft opening will help us determine how best to implement responsible social-distancing methods so we can open the park to the public as soon as possible,” WORD said on Facebook.

Improvements to Comal Park

Since it assumed responsibility for Comal Park, WORD has doubled the size of its swim beach and added a sand-beach section.

Also new are a sand volleyball court, a non-regulation soccer field area, 60 picnic table sites with grills, four washer pits and improved lake access.

The playground has not yet reopened.

Comal Park, WORD-Style

According to meeting minutes posted on its website, WORD also:

• Has authorized $75,000 for playground construction, including a poured-in-place surface and modular design play structure.
• Set entrance fees to the park at $10 per vehicle.
• Voted to allow only propane personal grills.
• Will close the park for regular hours at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, call 830-907-2300 or email info@wordcc.com.

WORD is a park and recreation district created by the Texas Legislature in 1987 and voted for by the residents of Comal County in 1988.

The district encompasses Canyon Lake and over 30 miles of floatable water on the Guadalupe River above and below Canyon Lake. It exists within Comal County north of highway 46 to the west beginning at Guadalupe River State Park and runs east to the New Braunfels city limits.

According to its website, WORD improves the environment and welfares of its district by conserving natural resources, improving public health, promoting water safety, and operating public parks.