A Message from Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence W. Spradley
Celebrating Fall in New Braunfels: Community, Safety, and Stewardship
As fall settles into New Braunfels, October brings vibrant colors, the promise of cooler weather, and a calendar packed with meaningful community events. This season gives us a chance not only to celebrate but also to reflect on how we care for our city and each other. This month, I want to highlight three key areas of focus:
✅ Environmental Stewardship & Waterways
✅ Public Safety & Community Connection
✅ Responsible Waste Management
Whether you’re cleaning out the garage or helping remove litter from our creeks and parks, your participation matters. Together, we keep New Braunfels clean, healthy, and beautiful.
🌊 Protecting What Makes New Braunfels Special
We’re fortunate to live in a city defined by its natural beauty — our two rivers, dry creek beds, and many parks are what make New Braunfels so very unique. But these places need our care. Throughout October, we’re hosting several stream cleanups and watershed events, like the Dos Rios Watershed Cleanup and the Fall Alligator Watershed Cleanup. These are great opportunities to get involved directly in preserving our local environment for generations to come.
♻️ Safe & Responsible Waste Disposal
We’re also encouraging residents to take part in our Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off and Shred Day events. These initiatives help reduce environmental risks and give you a safe, responsible way to dispose of old yucky paint, chemicals, and sensitive documents.
🚓 Strengthening Neighborhood Connections & Safety
Community safety is a top priority, and it starts with connection. National Night Out events across the city give neighbors a chance to come together and meet the Police officers or Fire Fighters who serve them. I want to thank Fire Chief Lozano and Police Chief Os Flores for their leadership and dedication to building trust throughout our community. You’re also invited to the Fire Station #7 Open House — a family-friendly chance to tour the station, meet our wonderful firefighters, and see the equipment first hand that helps protect our city every day.
🎉 Fall Festivals & Celebrations
October is also a time to celebrate culture, creativity, and family fun. Some of our signature events this month include:
- Día de los Muertos Festival – A celebration of life and remembrance, featuring processions, face painting, music, and community art. This festival honors loved ones we’ve lost in a joyful and meaningful way.
- Monarch Festival – Celebrating the annual monarch migration with activities, exhibits, games and education about environmental conservation.
- Downtown Spooktacular – Trick-or-treating fun awaits our little superheroes, ghosts, goblins, princesses, and all kids in costume as they explore our beautiful downtown!
- Looking ahead, November will bring even more community pride with Wurstfest, our Downtown Tree Lighting, and our 4th Annual Veterans Day Parade Saturday November 8th where we’ll be honored to welcome LTG (Ret.) Rick Lynch, former Fort Hood Base Commander, as our guest speaker.
🚧 Infrastructure Updates & City Projects
I’m proud to share that key infrastructure and transportation projects remain on track, including:
- Goodwin and Conrads Lane a $24,227,789 project: Bridge is XX% completed; estimated full completion in early 2027
- Alligator Creek Trail a $1,658,209.00 project is completed and open!
- New Northwest Park: Preliminary Design of future park on northwest side of town- Public Meeting on Oct 15th-See you there
- Ride the Rio: Launching Soon! We're excited to introduce Ride the Rio, a new on-demand microtransit service designed for both residents and visitors. This convenient, citywide service offers shared van rides that can be booked easily through a smartphone app or by phone — much like Uber or Lyft, but operated by our local transit team. Whether you're commuting to work, heading downtown, or visiting one of our beautiful parks, Ride the Rio makes getting around New Braunfels easier, more affordable, and more accessible than ever.
These improvements are part of our long-term investment in making New Braunfels safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.
- I’ll be hosting a District 4 “Walk & Talk” Friday October 17th 9 am and again at 7 pm on Alligator Creek Trail — .This is your chance to join me on foot and share with me firsthand your concerns with streets, sidewalks, or any concern you may have.
🤝 How You Can Get Involved
- Roll-up your sleeves and volunteer at a river or watershed cleanup
- Attend National Night Out or the Fire Station Open House — I’ll be there and I hope to see you
- Two Eyes are better than one! Report local issues through the city’s online portal or contact me directly
- Invite me to your HOA meeting or neighborhood event — I value your voice
- Follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LawrenceSpradleyDistrict4
I truly love New Braunfels. As our city continues to grow, one thing remains unchanged — the heart of our community. It's built on neighborly values, shared responsibility, and a deep pride in our rich culture, heritage, and the natural beauty that surrounds us. I believe that spirit will never fade — it will always be the shining star that guides us forward.
Thank you for your continued involvement, your feedback, and your dedication to making our neighborhoods strong, safe, and connected.
I’m always ready to listen — your voice matters.
Lawrence W. Spradley
Mayor Pro Tem
City of New Braunfels