The San Marcos City Council, in anticipation of the summer season that brings heavier use of its river front parks such as the one at Rio Vista, has adopted several measures to increase public compliance with park rules. During the past year, the city’s efforts have focused on public education to encourage observance of the “can ban” that prohibits the possession of any glass or single-use beverage container in or on the public waterway or in any designated areas where signs prohibit them on city park property.
At its meeting on May 20, the San Marcos City Council adopted several additional measures.
- Before the Memorial Day weekend, a temporary chain link fence is to be constructed around the perimeter of Rio Vista Park.
- The fence will carry signage outlining park rules, including the “can ban”.
- Managed entry points to the park will be staffed during weekends by Park Ambassadors, who will educate visitors about park rules, including the “can ban”.
- During park hours (6:00 AM – 11:00 PM) on holiday weekends, the city will close the section of Cheatham Street that crosses over the San Marcos River immediately below the three drops that are frequently run by boaters and swimmers.
Proposals to (1) institute a five-dollar entrance fee to the park for non-residents of San Marcos and (2) facilitate the towing of illegally parked vehicles were not adopted at that time.
You can read more about these measures in the May 25,2025 issue of the San Marcos Daily Record.
https://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/article/30292,council-approves-temporary-fencing-at-rio-vista-considers-fees
The full text of the “can ban” ordinance is available at https://library.municode.com/tx/san_marcos/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1276296.
There is a map of the area affected by the fence and ordinance at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/b61a559cbb34470eb83e9b2788a48013/page/Page.
A user-friendly guide to the provisions of the "can ban" ordinance, including photos that illustrate several important “dos” and “don’ts” can be viewed at: https://sanmarcostx.gov/4299/Reuse-at-the-River.