A controversial attempt to restrict access to one of Texas' most popular rivers appears to be having the desired effect — and more changes could be on the way.
This summer, the city of San Marcos installed fenced, managed access points around Rio Vista Park, a heavily used stretch of the San Marcos River. A temporary chain-link fence was erected in May and was staffed on weekends and holidays until Labor Day. City officials said the pilot program made the river cleaner, safer and less crowded during peak months.
“The City Council reached consensus in September 2024 to explore measures to generate new revenue, cover costs, create a safe environment and clean up the riverfront parks,” Parks and Recreation Department Director Jamie Lee Case said during a recent City Council work session. “Staff received assistance in exploring the installation of aesthetically pleasing fencing along the riverfront parks and the creation of dedicated managed access points.”
According to city staff, the presence of designated entry points helped reduce crowds and encourage more visitors to follow park rules, particularly the ban on single-use containers that went into effect last year.
“It allowed us to do education and do it at multiple education points,” said City Marshal Tiffany Williams.
Temporary fences surround Rio Vista Park in San Marcos during the 2025 summer season. (City of San Marcos)
Four city teams, including park ambassadors and maintenance crews, were stationed at riverfront parks throughout the summer. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, park ambassadors operated managed access points on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as select holidays. Weekdays remained unopened except for long holiday weekends.
“Our park ambassadors…they were an extra set of eyes,” William said. “They were at controlled access testing points, informing people of the rules, making them aware of the signage on the fence and letting them know if they brought something with them – like a huge bag of Styrofoam sheets – they made them aware that it was a prohibited item.”
Employees reported lower crowds compared to the record-breaking 2024 season. They also saw fewer violations related to glass, Styrofoam, charcoal, tables and alcohol. Injuries related to poisoning and other life-threatening concerns also decreased. Although there was still trash (including glass and micro-trash), staff said it was overall more manageable. However, parking remained a challenge as demand continued to exceed capacity.
Local environmental group The Eyes of the San Marcos River also noticed a visible difference in their weekly cleanup efforts.
“I think the controlled access over the existing temporary fences worked,” said David Zambrano, the group’s education and outreach coordinator, who has led Monday morning cleanups at Rio Vista Park for the past two summers. “We took in significantly less [trash]and I think the fencing played a big part in that.
Zambrano said he is not opposed to additional access measures or even a fee structure, but urged the city to also consider enforcing existing rules.
“I understand why that was necessary, maybe for the first season,” he said. “But I feel like it was lax and perhaps part of the ongoing waste issues this year.”
Because of new access restrictions, there were fewer crowds and less trash along the San Marcos River this summer. (Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News)
While some residents supported the fence, others criticized its appearance. City staff recommended continuing the program next summer with improvements to visual aesthetics and formalized access points.
Officials are also considering introducing a river access fee for non-residents. The proposed fee — $5 per person or $25 per group — would help offset park management costs and curb overcrowding.
The city has already introduced parking fees for non-residents, which went into effect in July. Rates range from $5 per hour to $25 on holidays and special events. San Marcos residents can continue to park for free after registering their vehicle online.
City officials estimate that about 70 percent of weekend visitors to the riverfront come from outside the city, with most coming from Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.
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This article was originally published at The Texas city fences off its famous river. Here's what happened next..