San Marcos Closes River Parks Due To COVID-19

In an effort to protect public health and to discourage social gathering, the City of San Marcos announced Tuesday night the closure of its riverfront parks.

The closure went into effect at 11 PM on March 24.

Parks affected include Rio Vista, City Park, Plaza Park, Veramendi, Bicentennial, Children’s Park, Crook Park, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Dog Beach, Capes Park, Thompson’s Island, Stokes Park, Ramon Lucio Park, and Wildlife Annex/Wilderness Park.

To view a map of all San Marcos river parks visit http://www.sanmarcostx.gov/1364/San-Marcos-River-Parks.

These closures follow the closure Monday of Children’s Park Playscape, City Park Playscape, all neighborhood park playscapes, Dog Park, and Skate Park. 

Out of an abundance of caution, all public restroom facilities and water fountains in all city parks and natural areas will also be closed and shut off until further notice. 

“It’s very important that we take all precautions to halt the spread of this virus and to not put our families and communities at risk,” said Mayor Jane Hughson. “We encourage residents to continue to exercise, take walks, enjoy family time and follow social distancing recommendations in your daily routine. We can beat this, but must work together to make it happen.”

Violation of the park closures could result in charges for trespassing if a person refuses to leave after being warned to do so by a peace officer. 

Other green space areas in the City remain open at this time, but visitors to these areas are reminded to practice social distancing of at least 6 feet between individuals outside your household and that groups of more than ten people are prohibited.

These park closures follow the confirmation of the ninth case of COVID-19 today from the Hays County Health Department. 

The breakdown of cases by city as of 4 PM March 24 is:

• Austin (some Hays County addresses are Austin): 1
• Buda: 2
• Dripping Springs: 1
• Kyle: 2
• San Marcos: 2
• City unknown (patient not interviewed yet): 1

Because of HIPAA laws, additional information about patients is not allowed to be shared. 

Hays County Epidemiologist Eric Schneider reminds citizens that most persons who contract the disease will have low to moderate fever, a cough, and congestion, typically treated with over the counter medications as there is no specialized treatment for COVID-19 like there is with Influenza. 

The majority of persons who contract this disease will not need to seek medical care. Residents with these symptoms should self-quarantine until they are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 72 hours.

“Residents with underlying health conditions or a weakened immune system and persons over 65 tend to be hardest hit by COVID-19 and should consult their health care provider if they are experiencing symptoms, as should persons with high fevers or shortness of breath,” said Schneider.

If an individual is experiencing symptoms or concerned that you have been exposed to the virus, please call your health care professional to determine next steps.

If anyone is experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency questions, call the Hays County COVID-19 Hotline at 512.393.5525, from 7 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday. 

San Marcos will continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the State Department of Health Services, the Hays County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control.

Current updates and helpful links may be found at www.sanmarcostx.gov/covid19info.