As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, the City of New Braunfels is reminding residents and visitors about the disposable container ordinance on the Comal River and the portion of the Guadalupe River inside the city limits.
City ordinance (Chapter 86.14) prohibits beverages and food in disposable containers on the river. This includes aluminum cans, plastic bottles, zip-top bags, glass bottles, Styrofoam cups or coolers, cardboard boxes, paper napkins or paper towels, and all food wrappers.
“There are plenty of great alternatives to bring your favorite drink or snack while enjoying the rivers in New Braunfels,” said River Operations Manager Amy Niles. “Insulated cups and insulated bottles work great along with reusable jugs and cups, and reusable snap-top food containers. Any container that is designed to be used once and then thrown away is prohibited by city ordinance.”
Those that are planning to visit the Comal or Guadalupe Rivers should be aware that park rangers and police officers will be issuing citations to those that are in violation of the ordinance and violators are subject to a fine of up to $500. City ordinances also put restrictions on cooler size (30 quarts or less), music volume, the size of inflatable tubes and rafts, bridge jumping, and volume drinking devices.
Visitors should also be aware of parking fees and the $2 river activity fee that is in effect during the summer months. Residents of New Braunfels are eligible to receive free Resident River Passes and Resident River Parking Passes. To learn more about river recreation in New Braunfels, and how residents can get those free passes, visit www.newbraunfels.gov/rivers.