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SAN MARCOS RIVER
OMAR GONZALEZ
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
As more visitors flock to the San Marcos River each summer, the existing ordinance banning single-use containers, often called a can ban, remains largely unenforced, prompting community members to voice their concerns about the ordinance.
The single-use ordinance ban first went into effect May 1 and bans single-use designated riverfront parks owned by the city. The ordinance was implemented as a mitigation measure to try to reduce the amount of litter in the river and its nearby vicinity. However, recent reports indicate an increase in litter, raising questions about the ordinance’s impact and enforcement challenges.
Officials said this is due to the parks and recreation department being focused solely on an education- only rollout of the enforcement, which involves educating the public through various signage in parks.
“This first year has been an education-only rollout, so the ordinance has yet to be fully enforced,” Parks and Recreation Director Jamie Lee Case said.
The San Marcos City Council provided directions for the first year to be education only and for no citations on violating the ordinance to be issued within the first year. The education-only period of the ordinance will end on April 30, 2025.
However, the need for enforcement is becoming urgent as city officials report significant litter issues, especially during peak visitor seasons, according to a Sept. 17 city council workshop presentation.
“We have mentioned additional measures to city council, including paid parking and picnic permits, as a way to try and manage the amount of people that we have,” Case said. “We are looking at ways to try and manage the crowds, especially in Rio Vista Park, where the influx of people is almost unsustainable.”
Virginia Parker, San Marcos River Foundation executive director, emphasized the necessity of enforcement to complement the educational efforts.
“We know that education alone is not sufficient,” Parker said. “The city needs to staff more marshals and park rangers to handle safety issues and enforce the ordinance effectively.”
Parker highlighted that the influx of visitors, many of whom are not locals, complicates the situation alongside staffing issues.
“The fact of the matter is the marshals department is understaffed and there are so many people coming to the river,” Parker said. “We need more staffing to manage not only ordinance compliance but also the safety and medical needs of all park visitors.”
David Zambrano, The Eyes of the San Marcos River education and outreach coordinator, echoed these concerns. He noted that despite the ban, litter levels have remained unchanged. He has organized weekly cleanups in response to the increase in trash, particularly after busy weekends.
While the city is considering additional measures like entry fees for parks, Zambrano stressed that enforcement of the existing ordinance should take precedence.
“Before they add new regulations, they need to enforce what’s already in place,” Zambrano said. “It’s hard to have an effective ordinance if you’re not allowed to enforce it.”
As the city grapples with these challenges, community members like Zambrano and Parker advocate for more immediate action to address litter and ensure the San Marcos River remains a clean and safe environment for everyone.
The San Marcos City Council is said to explore options for managed access along the city’s riverfront parks, which will come back to council at a future meeting date.
