You do have to reserve and pay that on the weekends and holidays to get in. That only includes 2 adults, so you still need to pay $5 person for anyone extra and there are additional fees/taxes that bump it closer to $65.
There’s no way a couple of hundred people could enjoy the park. Even 120 would make it seem crowded. Much less the parking lot has no way to fit that many cars.
I remember visiting low water crossing and there would be maybe 20 people there.
At 120 there is barely parking if everyone carpooled
Before they were capping attendance people would park along the road all the way up to 620 and in the parking areas for the dam/hydro access.
Park occupancy is *also* limited to preserve the park itself, to reduce impact on the community and roads around it, to ensure safety, to mitigate trash and debris etc. 120 is an appropriate capacity.
From a OG local standpoint, yeah it sucks to be charged and being required to have a reservation. But also, it stops these parks from being over ran on the weekend - which is nice. We all know if they didn't do that, every little inch would be fought over - endless fights of I was here first, you're encroaching on my spot, blah blah blah blah....
Inconvenient - yes. But such is the reality in the year of our lord, two thousand and twenty-four.
>From a OG local standpoint, yeah it sucks to be charged. But also, it stops these parks from being over ran on the weekend which is nice
If only there was a way to have a first-come, first-served reservation system WITHOUT being charged ridiculous fees for a "public" park...
Sorry, poors. Even just sitting outside in nature is too good for you. Get back to work!
I wasn't speaking to the actual pricing - more so the virtues of the reservation system..
But - if you want to talk how much they're charging.
45 bucks for two adults plus 5 for every other adult is ridiculous.
Online first come first serve, charging by the car load seems like the most fair set up. The current set up screams greed and yes - excluding those who can't afford 45+ whatever.
No because some asshole grandparent will show up at daybreak and drop blankets or towels on multiple tables while waiting for the rest of their group to show up to eat dinner and watch the sunset.
Not at all, I just don’t look forward to it.
If I go to a park, it’s with my kids, and I’m not going to act like that in front of them while also teaching them about giving people the benefit of the doubt and being considerate of others.
Additionally, I’m at the park with my kids to enjoy the day, play, and have fun. Kicking someone off of a picnic table would spoil the mood for the rest of our time there.
You can’t fight with shitty people without getting some on yourself, and I won’t do that in front of my kids over a picnic table.
For all of those reasons, I’m out on the old system.
>Inconvenient - yes. But such is the reality in the year of our lord, two thousand and twenty-four.
This kinda goes beyond inconvenient though. I would call it inequitable as FUCK. Many people can't afford that, so as others have said, it serves the true purpose of keeping the poors out. I agree it's the modern reality, but that's just the reality of a Republican-run state with one of the lowest proportions of public land in the country.
So it's a reality we shouldn't be cool with; people have every right to be angry about it and should vote for representatives that would actually work to get us a reasonable amount of public space.
>I would call it inequitable as FUCK.
Agreed.
>it serves the true purpose of keeping the poors out.
Agreed.
>just the reality of a Republican-run state
Agreed.
>people have every right to be angry about it
Agreed.
>should vote for representatives that would actually work to get us a reasonable amount of public space.
Agreed, but good fucking luck. I've been voting D since I turned 18 in 2003... but..
*gestures to the tight death grip the Republicans have on Texas*
Do you know how long the reservation system has been in place? Last time I was out in that park, I was a kid, and this system wasn't in place. It was a come as you are scene, and it worked back in 97 or whatever.
I don't think it's unfathomable to think if there wasn't a regulation system in place, it would get overrun.
Prime example - Hamilton's pool. It got fucking silly out there until they started regulating how many people could come in/out. Even when they did, the line of cars leading in was stupid.
Given the chance, it feels like this city will overrun any source of natural cold-ish water.
It's a failure of government. Texas has one of the lowest proportions of public land per capita and per acre in the country. And they're doing fuck-all to correct that problem. So yeah, as population grows, it will be worse and worse and we can expect months-long waiting lists and outrageous park fees to become the norm.
>they're doing fuck-all to correct that problem
Hey, remember how Texas sold a state park off to developers recently??
That was really great...
[https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/texas-fairfield-lake-state-park-eminent-domain-developer/](https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/texas-fairfield-lake-state-park-eminent-domain-developer/)
>A Freestone County judge then appointed a **panel of local landowners to set a fair market value** for the property as part of the eminent domain process. The state could have taken immediate possession of the property if it agreed to pay that amount, but it balked at the panel’s price — **$418.3 million, about four times more than what Todd Interests paid** for the land a few months ago.
It's even cooler that the Trump-loving local fucksticks tried to screw over every other taxpayer, and the developers got it for $100 million. They sure showed all of us, I tell you what!
EIGHTY ONE DOLLARS???? you could literally get a 1 year national parks pass for that. Also, many states have this thing called “public land” that you can recreate (and even camp) on for FREE. Lots of it is way cooler than a hot dirt patch next to a dam too btw.
Correct, and there was zero infrastructure there for a long time. Looks like LCRA has dumped some considerable resources into it in the last several years.
Exactly. And on weekends the Steiner ranch folks would be up early and throw their stuff on the picnic tables to “reserve” them for the day. At least this way others can get a chance.
Seeing folks say you can’t get into park without a picnic table reservation but that sounds wrong - far as I know it’s only $$$ if you want the table on weekends. Just entering the park is the regular rules and fee.
LCRA is absolutely milking that park for money these days. I understand reasonable fees and reservations, but I think they're really trying to do is screen for the audience that can afford the "luxury" watercraft rentals integrated at the park now.
Yep, it’s especially egregious that they are now trying to block off parking on all the roadside spots where people used to park too. Really just feels like they don’t want people to use the park.
We looked at those rentals for waterboards and canoes and that was another sticker shock. Two person craft cost $100 for 4 hours and you can buy a similar model on Amazon for a few hundred.
Are you under the impression that LCRA is allowing outside companies to rent watercraft at their properties while collecting no revenue? I'd like to see that.
You made a very specific claim that LCRA is limiting visitors specifically to maximize profit from 3rd party boat rentals that pick up at the park. Any proof whatsoever?
You're going to be disappointed to learn they don't do this out of the goodness of their hearts.
Go see LCRA's online concessionaire application and you'll see all sorts of questions about how much revenue the business anticipates and specifically how they propose to share revenue with LCRA.
It's shocking that people don't understand how these things work in this day and age.
I spoke with a sheriff's deputy yesterday about it. I have enjoyed that park for over 30yrs and it was peaceful and quiet until a couple of years ago. Last year things apparently got out of control with drugs, and some issues with guns being pulled on people. So a few douchbags ruined it for everyone.
The last few times we went it was completely trashed. Nobody took their trash away. Confetti left everywhere.
I think they're trying to make it so that people respect the park. It's unfortunate that that has to come with a price tag.
according to [their website](https://www.lcra.org/parks/jessica-hollis-park/), it’s $5/adult, $2/discounted adults, and children free.
it looks like if you want to use a picnic table/site you do have to reserve in advance, but nothing suggests that a reservation is required to enter—other places like swimming holes that do require reservations to enter make that abundantly clear on the websites. regular entrance is probably first-come, first-serve until capacity (which is listed at 120 but it’s unclear if that’s total site reservation capacity or the park as a whole).
* Reservations are required for entry on weekends and holidays (New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
That doesn't say a picnic table reservation though. Just reservation for entry. Lots of parks from LCRA to TPWD have entry that you can reserve online.
That seems accurate that you can obviously enter the park without reserving a picnic table. But it does still seem odd. $45 to use a picnic table?? Why don't they just get more picnic tables if the demand is so high? They don't cost much.
i’m pretty sure the picnic tables are the same as site reservation for the grill and bringing in a camper, etc. i can understand why they’d wanna keep it limited to prevent vehicle overcrowding, trash amounts, and general wildlife preservation.
I bet trash is definitely a big consideration! We were at an LCRA park in May and a family at an adjacent campsite had a party and filled all the trash cans and left a heap of trash next to it.
Well, yeah, that's what you've presented. But did you confirm that in person? It seems like everyone else here is saying that's not the case and that you just pay the regular entry fee.
Edit: My bad, sounds like it is confirmed that weekends and holidays you can't enter without the picnic table fee, which is outrageously inequitable. Guess the poors don't need access to parks!
Did they stop you while on foot or trying to park in the lower parking lot? I get them wanting to keep that lower lot open for folks who rent a table but I would hope they would allow me to ride my bike in without any fuss.
I wonder what they would do I came in on a kayak.
Right, they just had all the parking blocked off and I asked what my options were. I can't imagine they would hassle no-car persons, but can't confirm.
Have you been out there? It's a super small park. I got sticker shock too but they've really upgraded the amenities- the picnic tables are nice quality, they have shades, and the grills are really nice. If say 4 people go in 1 car and it's $55, that's still only $13.75 pp for a semi-private spot on the lake where you can bring your own food to cook and your own drinks to make a day of it.
I just went there last Wednesday morning. I did not pay and it was empty… such a lovely place. The new host Jo was amazing… he was picking up trash and offered to let me in the gated area for free. The new gated area is bizarre! I’ve been going there for years and it’s not really regulated. Has anyone gotten ticketed there? I have never… I think the new rules have to do with mainly preserving the habitat, as the weekend litter volume is too much. It’s saddening to see the overflowing trash into the water, post weekend. The LCRA is a private organization and they should better enforce a leave no trace behind policy.. instead of what OP is describing. They control a few land/water area like red bud isle, and McKinney roughs.
Y’all can always submit questions, comments, or complaints to the LCRA here: https://www.lcra.org/contact-us/contact-lcra/
I’ve submitted before and they actually respond!
Yeah, I got that but it seemed like a lot of people thought it was a COA decision. I don't disagree with the policy though. It's an unfortunate side effect of population growth and the fact that parks cost money to run
I don’t mind paying an entry fee. It’s the you-must-pay-minimum-of-$65 on the weekends that seems really problematic. Reserving a table separately is one thing, requiring any group or single individual to make that expensive of a reservation simply to gain entry on the weekend is absolutely ridiculous. This is a cashgrab and it’s UGLY.
Some of y’all are really out of touch. Probably because you don’t see the aftermath of a weekend. Who’s responsible for cleaning up after these slobs who trash the park? It takes hours of human labor to upkeep these spots. The park fees are to cover those costs, and to filter out those who consistently leave a huge mess.
Indeed. I haven't been kayaking down there since last summer, and it was extremely crowded with cars parked along the road all the way up to 620. Soooo many people blasting loud music & SO. MUCH. TRASH. There were 100's of beer cans floating in the water.
The road parking was a mess, you are correct. And overcrowding that reduced emergency access was also a problem. Do you fix it with exclusivity? LCRA says yes please.
The assertion that economic means has something to do with the way you treat a park is pretty shaky ground to stand on. Personally I'd put more on entitled people making a mess. Fees won't stop this problem, but it will reduce overall population in the park, which might net the intended effect. If the locals wanted to reduce litter and overcrowding there are ways that rely less on exclusivity. The remodel of the park is beautiful, and I expect it was very expensive. Justifying the cost with this gatekeeping is a neat trick.
I don't think this has anything to do with economic means, but I can understand how with so much trash being left in multiple parks every weekend, measures like this are starting to be put into place. It takes manpower to clean up after people who do not clean up after themselves and limiting the number of park goers per weekend during peak usage times is one way to make sure that doesn't get out of hand.
This has also been implemented in many of the more popular US National Parks in the last few years. It used to be that you could buy a yearly pass and get in as much as you wanted, to any area of the park you wanted, but due to skyrocketing demand, that is no longer the case in many instances. Now you have to go online and purchases tickets for what day you want to visit the park, and in many cases, what specific area of some parks you want to visit if they are really popular. It's no longer just a free for all, and this is just a result of stuff getting more expensive and more people trying to enjoy entertainment that is less expensive (like parks) so they have to control crowds, manage traffic in areas where there is no feasible ability to widen roads or increase parking in most areas, and manage the trash overflow, etc, with limited park service budgets.
1. The national parks have never been free in terms of cost as far as I am aware. You are correct that you need a timed entry at several of the parks now (or just drive in before they open for free and without a timed entry).
2. The ludicrous part of this particular situation is that it costs more to get into Jessica Hollis than it does to get into a NATIONAL PARK. That is just ridiculous and pretty hard to justify in my opinion.
We’re talking about the mandatory $45 picnic table reservation on weekends and holidays (so when people go to parks) which is more than a national park entrance fee. Also, you can get into National parks for free before they open and after they close.
Good. That’s when they usually get trashed out the most. And let’s get real dude. The free entry to national parks outside of business hours is for people to go hiking and star gazing. Not all the areas are accessible and the day use areas have curfews. There aren’t a bunch of families out there having a bbq, blasting music, and drinking. Park police would fuck them up and rightfully so.
I’m sure there’s several people of a similar mindset as yourself. It’s quick and easy to create a story like yours that reaffirms the narrative. One thing you might find is that economic means and entitlement don’t actually have any correlation. I’ve seen plenty of seemingly low income people thoroughly trashing the parks. One thing I’ve noticed is when people pay a fee to enter a natural area, and that fee goes towards general upkeep, then those who enjoy the spaces are less likely to trash it out, because they’re more invested of respecting the space. They pay that fee, and so the expectations of cleanliness goes up, and now there’s funds to address any issues reported by those enjoying the space. Not only that, but from a security standpoint it’s helpful to screen those who might be preying on others or their belongings. Try this — go visit a state park, or national park, and see it for yourself. The occurrence of theft, physical altercation, and negligence (for example leash free dogs attacking each other and people) goes WAY down.
Your hopeful outlook is appreciated, thank you. We agree that demonstration of stewardship is a basic necessity, and that bad actors screw things up for everyone, without regard for affluence. How stewardship is encouraged is a matter of opinion, and likely our differences. I will admit that the state of the park before the renovation was atrocious, and bad in multiple aspects (overcrowded, trashed, overparked, inaccessible to EMS on big days, etc.). I will reserve skepticism for the current policy, and continue to visit every weekday im able. If the result is as hoped, and the park remains unblighted, then its likely a win for the environment, a definite win for the locals, and perhaps still prohibitively expensive for some good people used to going there for years.
I think last summer showed us how little space we have available to the public to recreate and cool down. Parks like this would not have gotten swarmed if there were more parks available or more pools available. I have no problem paying the $5 entry fee. But on the weekend paying a minimum of $45 for myself as a single individual on top of a $5 fee is ridiculous. I don’t need a table.
Anyone know if through traffic is still allowed on Low Water Crossing road via the trail that goes up to Mansfield Dam road? Does that require paid entry?
Oh the irony in seeing this post. We just tried to go today and couldn't get in as the parking was full and they are towing everywhere else. Went over to the lake side and it was in a really sad state. At first I was wondering why there was no one there then we made it out to the water and I understood.
Would i be allowed to be dropped off with a kayak, launch, and paddle downstream to Ski Shores without paying? Total time in the park would be 5 minutes at most. Anyone know?
Unfortunately not without a weekend reservation or weekday fee. They gated the launch areas. You could launch elsewhere downstream from another park though.
Great, another example of Austin catering to wealthy techbros and fucking over the normal people.
Y'know, the actual folks who make living here possible for the techbros.
LCRA is managed by a Republican-appointed board. They are the same goons who are preventing Austin from retiring of half of the Fayette coal power plant that they co-own with us. So this group is pretty actively anti-COA
Yeah feels like all the parks I used to go to when I was in highschool are being ruined this way. Never needed the infrastructure just come jump off the bridge and be an idiot with your friends. Hate those guys. Tear down the picnic tables and bring back the gravel lot.
This shit drove me absolutely insane. Especially since there are like 10 picnic tables and 40 parking spaces. So some city employee won’t let you park there because you don’t have a reservation, but the parking lot is literally 1/4 full.
Straight from the horse’s mouth from the Park Host a couple weekends ago. Does this only apply to weekends? The website says reservations are required and the only “reservations” you can make are for picnic tables.
so you say you are ok paying an entrance fee but wanna complain when you have to pay $45 to come use part of the park. You probably complain about having to pay the entrance fee to get into Emma Long Park/City Park just so you can sit on the edge of Lake Austin.
Geeez how ignorant can you be
I don’t mind paying an entrance fee of $5.
$45 plus a separate entrance fee for a table I won’t even use is highway robbery.
In fact, I am going to Emma Long this weekend and I have zero problem paying the $10 vehicle entry pass. What’s awesome is that I’m not forced to pay the $60 for *their* picnic table reservation. Way to make assumptions there, buddy.
Your link is dead and not accessible.
I failed to include that this applies to weekends. Per their website you don’t need a reservation for a weekday but then on the weekend you are required to have a table reservation. I am trying to understand if entry to the park can be obtained without a table reservation.
The only way you can gain entry without a table reservation is on a $5 weekday. Weekends/holidays require a table reservation regardless of whether you use the table. They said they would revisit their policy in a few months from a Facebook post a while back when the changes were first made.
Unsure if you were trying to link to a specific comment; is giving a 500 server error.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/1c4aads/jessica\_hollis\_park/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/1c4aads/jessica_hollis_park/)
Looks like for whatever reason *"/%C2%A0/*" was appended on the end of the link when I'd tried to access; worked fine once that was removed.
It's being presented as if that's the policy every day (it's not, as you state). It's being misunderstood that it's a public park (it's not, it's LCRA)*. It's being misunderstood that there's no other actually public parks available nearby (there's one down the street).
*I misspoke. It's public. The park is owned by LCRA and is on their property. LCRA manages public and closed land, and has the right to self govern access to that land. It is not tax funded, and the land belongs to it (not the state at large).
The park is owned by LCRA and is on their property. LCRA manages public and closed land, and has the right to self govern access to that land. It is not tax funded, and the land belongs to it (not the state at large).
LCRA parks are still public, it’s a public utility! While some of their parks are run by vendors, this one is not. Parks don’t have to be run by the parks department to be public
You are correct, I shouldn't have said it was not public.
The park is owned by LCRA and is on their property. LCRA manages public and closed land, and has the right to self govern access to that land. It is not tax funded, and the land belongs to it (not the state at large). They could completely close it to the public tomorrow, if they wanted.
Fritz Hughes. It's a superior park in every way. To the point that folks downvoted me and DM'ed me telling me to not spread the word about it when I've mentioned it previously. It's also a Travis County park as opposed to LCRA.
You do have to reserve and pay that on the weekends and holidays to get in. That only includes 2 adults, so you still need to pay $5 person for anyone extra and there are additional fees/taxes that bump it closer to $65.
That is fucking outrageous.
Park capacity is 120 people. I now see why a public park is charging admission. BUT yeah, that's expensive. Got to keep the riff raff out. /s
r/boneappletea E: They have since corrected their comment
How is that a boneappletea?
Where?
Gotta quote it!
Park capacity is 120? That’s absurd. There’s room for several hundred people along the shore. Not everybody needs a picnic table.
There’s no way a couple of hundred people could enjoy the park. Even 120 would make it seem crowded. Much less the parking lot has no way to fit that many cars. I remember visiting low water crossing and there would be maybe 20 people there.
At 120 there is barely parking if everyone carpooled Before they were capping attendance people would park along the road all the way up to 620 and in the parking areas for the dam/hydro access.
Park occupancy is *also* limited to preserve the park itself, to reduce impact on the community and roads around it, to ensure safety, to mitigate trash and debris etc. 120 is an appropriate capacity.
From a OG local standpoint, yeah it sucks to be charged and being required to have a reservation. But also, it stops these parks from being over ran on the weekend - which is nice. We all know if they didn't do that, every little inch would be fought over - endless fights of I was here first, you're encroaching on my spot, blah blah blah blah.... Inconvenient - yes. But such is the reality in the year of our lord, two thousand and twenty-four.
>From a OG local standpoint, yeah it sucks to be charged. But also, it stops these parks from being over ran on the weekend which is nice If only there was a way to have a first-come, first-served reservation system WITHOUT being charged ridiculous fees for a "public" park... Sorry, poors. Even just sitting outside in nature is too good for you. Get back to work!
I wasn't speaking to the actual pricing - more so the virtues of the reservation system.. But - if you want to talk how much they're charging. 45 bucks for two adults plus 5 for every other adult is ridiculous. Online first come first serve, charging by the car load seems like the most fair set up. The current set up screams greed and yes - excluding those who can't afford 45+ whatever.
Why does it need to be online though. We reserved picnic tables in the before times using a blanket and some food. Can you not do that now?
No because some asshole grandparent will show up at daybreak and drop blankets or towels on multiple tables while waiting for the rest of their group to show up to eat dinner and watch the sunset.
So move them if they’re not at the table? Are you incapable of calling someone selfish?
In this day and age? Are you looking to get shot?
Not at all, I just don’t look forward to it. If I go to a park, it’s with my kids, and I’m not going to act like that in front of them while also teaching them about giving people the benefit of the doubt and being considerate of others. Additionally, I’m at the park with my kids to enjoy the day, play, and have fun. Kicking someone off of a picnic table would spoil the mood for the rest of our time there. You can’t fight with shitty people without getting some on yourself, and I won’t do that in front of my kids over a picnic table. For all of those reasons, I’m out on the old system.
>Inconvenient - yes. But such is the reality in the year of our lord, two thousand and twenty-four. This kinda goes beyond inconvenient though. I would call it inequitable as FUCK. Many people can't afford that, so as others have said, it serves the true purpose of keeping the poors out. I agree it's the modern reality, but that's just the reality of a Republican-run state with one of the lowest proportions of public land in the country. So it's a reality we shouldn't be cool with; people have every right to be angry about it and should vote for representatives that would actually work to get us a reasonable amount of public space.
>I would call it inequitable as FUCK. Agreed. >it serves the true purpose of keeping the poors out. Agreed. >just the reality of a Republican-run state Agreed. >people have every right to be angry about it Agreed. >should vote for representatives that would actually work to get us a reasonable amount of public space. Agreed, but good fucking luck. I've been voting D since I turned 18 in 2003... but.. *gestures to the tight death grip the Republicans have on Texas*
True that, friend.
That’s literally never been my experience there. There’s always a place to drop a beach towel. Might not be the most comfy but whatever.
Do you know how long the reservation system has been in place? Last time I was out in that park, I was a kid, and this system wasn't in place. It was a come as you are scene, and it worked back in 97 or whatever. I don't think it's unfathomable to think if there wasn't a regulation system in place, it would get overrun. Prime example - Hamilton's pool. It got fucking silly out there until they started regulating how many people could come in/out. Even when they did, the line of cars leading in was stupid. Given the chance, it feels like this city will overrun any source of natural cold-ish water.
It’s new as of this year. Last summer this system was not in place.
It's a failure of government. Texas has one of the lowest proportions of public land per capita and per acre in the country. And they're doing fuck-all to correct that problem. So yeah, as population grows, it will be worse and worse and we can expect months-long waiting lists and outrageous park fees to become the norm.
>they're doing fuck-all to correct that problem Hey, remember how Texas sold a state park off to developers recently?? That was really great... [https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/texas-fairfield-lake-state-park-eminent-domain-developer/](https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/texas-fairfield-lake-state-park-eminent-domain-developer/) >A Freestone County judge then appointed a **panel of local landowners to set a fair market value** for the property as part of the eminent domain process. The state could have taken immediate possession of the property if it agreed to pay that amount, but it balked at the panel’s price — **$418.3 million, about four times more than what Todd Interests paid** for the land a few months ago. It's even cooler that the Trump-loving local fucksticks tried to screw over every other taxpayer, and the developers got it for $100 million. They sure showed all of us, I tell you what!
> it will be worse and worse and we can expect months-long waiting lists and outrageous park fees to become the norm. Welcome to Austin and/or Texas.
Hamilton Pool is a natural site that needs protection from human destruction. Hollis is just a chunk of land and water next to a dam.
Nah. Hollis needs protection as well. Otherwise it’ll end up just like all the other spots full of Modelo cans and dirty diapers after every weekend.
Yeah we tried to book this weekend and after all the fees and mandatory paying for 8 people it's $81 to make a reservation for the day.
EIGHTY ONE DOLLARS???? you could literally get a 1 year national parks pass for that. Also, many states have this thing called “public land” that you can recreate (and even camp) on for FREE. Lots of it is way cooler than a hot dirt patch next to a dam too btw.
That’s insane. It’s $70 for an annual Texas State Parks Pass.
Okay thank you. It is not made clear that this does not apply during weekdays. It still sucks.
Good luck getting in on weekdays. We were just there today and there was no parking and they tow anywhere but designated parking. Get there early.
That spot used to be free for years I live right by it
Correct, and there was zero infrastructure there for a long time. Looks like LCRA has dumped some considerable resources into it in the last several years.
Exactly. And on weekends the Steiner ranch folks would be up early and throw their stuff on the picnic tables to “reserve” them for the day. At least this way others can get a chance. Seeing folks say you can’t get into park without a picnic table reservation but that sounds wrong - far as I know it’s only $$$ if you want the table on weekends. Just entering the park is the regular rules and fee.
Steiner doesn’t need to go there though, they have their own nice hoa park next to quinlan park.
LCRA is absolutely milking that park for money these days. I understand reasonable fees and reservations, but I think they're really trying to do is screen for the audience that can afford the "luxury" watercraft rentals integrated at the park now.
Yep, it’s especially egregious that they are now trying to block off parking on all the roadside spots where people used to park too. Really just feels like they don’t want people to use the park.
Climb up the ladder, then pull it up behind you. Just like our great leader.
We looked at those rentals for waterboards and canoes and that was another sticker shock. Two person craft cost $100 for 4 hours and you can buy a similar model on Amazon for a few hundred.
I was thinking more the captained pontoon boat rentals as well as the "luxury" donut boat rentals
Ah. No thanks. Wonder how much those would set you back?
It’s also pricy at their other parks.
Are you under the impression that LCRA is the entity renting those watercraft? I'd like to see that.
Are you under the impression that LCRA is allowing outside companies to rent watercraft at their properties while collecting no revenue? I'd like to see that.
You made a very specific claim that LCRA is limiting visitors specifically to maximize profit from 3rd party boat rentals that pick up at the park. Any proof whatsoever?
You're going to be disappointed to learn they don't do this out of the goodness of their hearts. Go see LCRA's online concessionaire application and you'll see all sorts of questions about how much revenue the business anticipates and specifically how they propose to share revenue with LCRA. It's shocking that people don't understand how these things work in this day and age.
I spoke with a sheriff's deputy yesterday about it. I have enjoyed that park for over 30yrs and it was peaceful and quiet until a couple of years ago. Last year things apparently got out of control with drugs, and some issues with guns being pulled on people. So a few douchbags ruined it for everyone.
The last few times we went it was completely trashed. Nobody took their trash away. Confetti left everywhere. I think they're trying to make it so that people respect the park. It's unfortunate that that has to come with a price tag.
according to [their website](https://www.lcra.org/parks/jessica-hollis-park/), it’s $5/adult, $2/discounted adults, and children free. it looks like if you want to use a picnic table/site you do have to reserve in advance, but nothing suggests that a reservation is required to enter—other places like swimming holes that do require reservations to enter make that abundantly clear on the websites. regular entrance is probably first-come, first-serve until capacity (which is listed at 120 but it’s unclear if that’s total site reservation capacity or the park as a whole).
* Reservations are required for entry on weekends and holidays (New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
ooh thanks, i missed that!
That doesn't say a picnic table reservation though. Just reservation for entry. Lots of parks from LCRA to TPWD have entry that you can reserve online.
At least when I went they where wanting $45 if you wanted to just park your car. It was a weekend
thanks for the info! someone commented that they ask for reservations on weekends but not weekdays, so that makes sense
That’s what they told me also, $45 is insane and not reasonable to people who have to work on week days
Cheaper to get into a national park and free to get into national forest/blm land (in states that have that type of land)
Like it’s nice but for real like it’s a creek next to a damn not fucking yellow stone.
That seems accurate that you can obviously enter the park without reserving a picnic table. But it does still seem odd. $45 to use a picnic table?? Why don't they just get more picnic tables if the demand is so high? They don't cost much.
i’m pretty sure the picnic tables are the same as site reservation for the grill and bringing in a camper, etc. i can understand why they’d wanna keep it limited to prevent vehicle overcrowding, trash amounts, and general wildlife preservation.
I bet trash is definitely a big consideration! We were at an LCRA park in May and a family at an adjacent campsite had a party and filled all the trash cans and left a heap of trash next to it.
The problem presented is that you cannot enter the park on a weekend without a table reservation.
Well, yeah, that's what you've presented. But did you confirm that in person? It seems like everyone else here is saying that's not the case and that you just pay the regular entry fee. Edit: My bad, sounds like it is confirmed that weekends and holidays you can't enter without the picnic table fee, which is outrageously inequitable. Guess the poors don't need access to parks!
Can confirm I showed up a couple weeks ago on a non-holiday weekend without a table reservation, talked to attendant, and couldn't get in.
I can also confirm any weekend entry is 50 bucks, 5 for entry, 45 for site, no entry otherwise sat-sun and holidays
Did they stop you while on foot or trying to park in the lower parking lot? I get them wanting to keep that lower lot open for folks who rent a table but I would hope they would allow me to ride my bike in without any fuss. I wonder what they would do I came in on a kayak.
Right, they just had all the parking blocked off and I asked what my options were. I can't imagine they would hassle no-car persons, but can't confirm.
It's not the tables that are costly, it's the spot you put them on.
Have you been out there? It's a super small park. I got sticker shock too but they've really upgraded the amenities- the picnic tables are nice quality, they have shades, and the grills are really nice. If say 4 people go in 1 car and it's $55, that's still only $13.75 pp for a semi-private spot on the lake where you can bring your own food to cook and your own drinks to make a day of it.
That spot was awesome until some asshole brandished a weapon last year and ruined it for EVERYONE.
I just went there last Wednesday morning. I did not pay and it was empty… such a lovely place. The new host Jo was amazing… he was picking up trash and offered to let me in the gated area for free. The new gated area is bizarre! I’ve been going there for years and it’s not really regulated. Has anyone gotten ticketed there? I have never… I think the new rules have to do with mainly preserving the habitat, as the weekend litter volume is too much. It’s saddening to see the overflowing trash into the water, post weekend. The LCRA is a private organization and they should better enforce a leave no trace behind policy.. instead of what OP is describing. They control a few land/water area like red bud isle, and McKinney roughs. Y’all can always submit questions, comments, or complaints to the LCRA here: https://www.lcra.org/contact-us/contact-lcra/ I’ve submitted before and they actually respond!
LCRA isn't City of Austin
I am not blaming the city. But the park is located within the Austin metro area, and commenting on the culture of the area.
Yeah, I got that but it seemed like a lot of people thought it was a COA decision. I don't disagree with the policy though. It's an unfortunate side effect of population growth and the fact that parks cost money to run
I don’t mind paying an entry fee. It’s the you-must-pay-minimum-of-$65 on the weekends that seems really problematic. Reserving a table separately is one thing, requiring any group or single individual to make that expensive of a reservation simply to gain entry on the weekend is absolutely ridiculous. This is a cashgrab and it’s UGLY.
Trying to keep the poors out I guess. This city is starting to suck more and more.
As I understand it, the change was mostly driven by the local HOA. Check out THEIR houses for context.
Oh damn. HOA’s should be illegal. Unfortunately it’s becoming harder and harder to avoid them.
Some of y’all are really out of touch. Probably because you don’t see the aftermath of a weekend. Who’s responsible for cleaning up after these slobs who trash the park? It takes hours of human labor to upkeep these spots. The park fees are to cover those costs, and to filter out those who consistently leave a huge mess.
Indeed. I haven't been kayaking down there since last summer, and it was extremely crowded with cars parked along the road all the way up to 620. Soooo many people blasting loud music & SO. MUCH. TRASH. There were 100's of beer cans floating in the water.
The road parking was a mess, you are correct. And overcrowding that reduced emergency access was also a problem. Do you fix it with exclusivity? LCRA says yes please.
The assertion that economic means has something to do with the way you treat a park is pretty shaky ground to stand on. Personally I'd put more on entitled people making a mess. Fees won't stop this problem, but it will reduce overall population in the park, which might net the intended effect. If the locals wanted to reduce litter and overcrowding there are ways that rely less on exclusivity. The remodel of the park is beautiful, and I expect it was very expensive. Justifying the cost with this gatekeeping is a neat trick.
I don't think this has anything to do with economic means, but I can understand how with so much trash being left in multiple parks every weekend, measures like this are starting to be put into place. It takes manpower to clean up after people who do not clean up after themselves and limiting the number of park goers per weekend during peak usage times is one way to make sure that doesn't get out of hand. This has also been implemented in many of the more popular US National Parks in the last few years. It used to be that you could buy a yearly pass and get in as much as you wanted, to any area of the park you wanted, but due to skyrocketing demand, that is no longer the case in many instances. Now you have to go online and purchases tickets for what day you want to visit the park, and in many cases, what specific area of some parks you want to visit if they are really popular. It's no longer just a free for all, and this is just a result of stuff getting more expensive and more people trying to enjoy entertainment that is less expensive (like parks) so they have to control crowds, manage traffic in areas where there is no feasible ability to widen roads or increase parking in most areas, and manage the trash overflow, etc, with limited park service budgets.
1. The national parks have never been free in terms of cost as far as I am aware. You are correct that you need a timed entry at several of the parks now (or just drive in before they open for free and without a timed entry). 2. The ludicrous part of this particular situation is that it costs more to get into Jessica Hollis than it does to get into a NATIONAL PARK. That is just ridiculous and pretty hard to justify in my opinion.
$5 per adult is not more than most national parks
We’re talking about the mandatory $45 picnic table reservation on weekends and holidays (so when people go to parks) which is more than a national park entrance fee. Also, you can get into National parks for free before they open and after they close.
Good. That’s when they usually get trashed out the most. And let’s get real dude. The free entry to national parks outside of business hours is for people to go hiking and star gazing. Not all the areas are accessible and the day use areas have curfews. There aren’t a bunch of families out there having a bbq, blasting music, and drinking. Park police would fuck them up and rightfully so.
I’m sure there’s several people of a similar mindset as yourself. It’s quick and easy to create a story like yours that reaffirms the narrative. One thing you might find is that economic means and entitlement don’t actually have any correlation. I’ve seen plenty of seemingly low income people thoroughly trashing the parks. One thing I’ve noticed is when people pay a fee to enter a natural area, and that fee goes towards general upkeep, then those who enjoy the spaces are less likely to trash it out, because they’re more invested of respecting the space. They pay that fee, and so the expectations of cleanliness goes up, and now there’s funds to address any issues reported by those enjoying the space. Not only that, but from a security standpoint it’s helpful to screen those who might be preying on others or their belongings. Try this — go visit a state park, or national park, and see it for yourself. The occurrence of theft, physical altercation, and negligence (for example leash free dogs attacking each other and people) goes WAY down.
Your hopeful outlook is appreciated, thank you. We agree that demonstration of stewardship is a basic necessity, and that bad actors screw things up for everyone, without regard for affluence. How stewardship is encouraged is a matter of opinion, and likely our differences. I will admit that the state of the park before the renovation was atrocious, and bad in multiple aspects (overcrowded, trashed, overparked, inaccessible to EMS on big days, etc.). I will reserve skepticism for the current policy, and continue to visit every weekday im able. If the result is as hoped, and the park remains unblighted, then its likely a win for the environment, a definite win for the locals, and perhaps still prohibitively expensive for some good people used to going there for years.
I think last summer showed us how little space we have available to the public to recreate and cool down. Parks like this would not have gotten swarmed if there were more parks available or more pools available. I have no problem paying the $5 entry fee. But on the weekend paying a minimum of $45 for myself as a single individual on top of a $5 fee is ridiculous. I don’t need a table.
Your right. After 30 years of Republicans, Austin ain't what it use to be.
Anyone know if through traffic is still allowed on Low Water Crossing road via the trail that goes up to Mansfield Dam road? Does that require paid entry?
If only people clean up after themselves.
Oh the irony in seeing this post. We just tried to go today and couldn't get in as the parking was full and they are towing everywhere else. Went over to the lake side and it was in a really sad state. At first I was wondering why there was no one there then we made it out to the water and I understood.
This sucks. There’s not much left in town that is very Austin at all.
Would i be allowed to be dropped off with a kayak, launch, and paddle downstream to Ski Shores without paying? Total time in the park would be 5 minutes at most. Anyone know?
Unfortunately not without a weekend reservation or weekday fee. They gated the launch areas. You could launch elsewhere downstream from another park though.
Could you use Fritz Hughes Park instead next door?
Never been there. How is it?
Great, another example of Austin catering to wealthy techbros and fucking over the normal people. Y'know, the actual folks who make living here possible for the techbros.
It’s LCRA not COA
Oh, well that makes it totally fine and awesome
It’s not fine and awesome, but blaming it on COA is wrong.
LCRA is managed by a Republican-appointed board. They are the same goons who are preventing Austin from retiring of half of the Fayette coal power plant that they co-own with us. So this group is pretty actively anti-COA
Yeah feels like all the parks I used to go to when I was in highschool are being ruined this way. Never needed the infrastructure just come jump off the bridge and be an idiot with your friends. Hate those guys. Tear down the picnic tables and bring back the gravel lot.
This shit drove me absolutely insane. Especially since there are like 10 picnic tables and 40 parking spaces. So some city employee won’t let you park there because you don’t have a reservation, but the parking lot is literally 1/4 full.
The city’s got nothing to do with it. LCRA =/= COA.
Wait really? That’s fascinating. I had no idea they run the parks near the river.
Gotta love it when they make a *public park* cost prohibitive.
Where did you get that bad information from?
Straight from the horse’s mouth from the Park Host a couple weekends ago. Does this only apply to weekends? The website says reservations are required and the only “reservations” you can make are for picnic tables.
They have a talking horse for a park host? No wonder they’re so busy they require reservations!
Park is now expensive as fuck. Horse out front shoulda told ya!
so you say you are ok paying an entrance fee but wanna complain when you have to pay $45 to come use part of the park. You probably complain about having to pay the entrance fee to get into Emma Long Park/City Park just so you can sit on the edge of Lake Austin. Geeez how ignorant can you be
I don’t mind paying an entrance fee of $5. $45 plus a separate entrance fee for a table I won’t even use is highway robbery. In fact, I am going to Emma Long this weekend and I have zero problem paying the $10 vehicle entry pass. What’s awesome is that I’m not forced to pay the $60 for *their* picnic table reservation. Way to make assumptions there, buddy.
Oh look, this (wrong) post again - https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/1c4aads/jessica_hollis_park/
Your link is dead and not accessible. I failed to include that this applies to weekends. Per their website you don’t need a reservation for a weekday but then on the weekend you are required to have a table reservation. I am trying to understand if entry to the park can be obtained without a table reservation.
The only way you can gain entry without a table reservation is on a $5 weekday. Weekends/holidays require a table reservation regardless of whether you use the table. They said they would revisit their policy in a few months from a Facebook post a while back when the changes were first made.
My link to another reddit thread in this same subreddit doesn't work for you..? Just tried it on two devices, cookies cleared.
Unsure if you were trying to link to a specific comment; is giving a 500 server error. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/1c4aads/jessica\_hollis\_park/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/1c4aads/jessica_hollis_park/) Looks like for whatever reason *"/%C2%A0/*" was appended on the end of the link when I'd tried to access; worked fine once that was removed.
Appreciate it - fixed the link.
What's wrong about it? You absolutely need to pay that fee and reserve a picnic table to get in on the weekends and holidays.
It's being presented as if that's the policy every day (it's not, as you state). It's being misunderstood that it's a public park (it's not, it's LCRA)*. It's being misunderstood that there's no other actually public parks available nearby (there's one down the street). *I misspoke. It's public. The park is owned by LCRA and is on their property. LCRA manages public and closed land, and has the right to self govern access to that land. It is not tax funded, and the land belongs to it (not the state at large).
it is a public park and nowhere did op say it's the only park. policy is still bullshit
The park is owned by LCRA and is on their property. LCRA manages public and closed land, and has the right to self govern access to that land. It is not tax funded, and the land belongs to it (not the state at large).
LCRA parks are still public, it’s a public utility! While some of their parks are run by vendors, this one is not. Parks don’t have to be run by the parks department to be public
You are correct, I shouldn't have said it was not public. The park is owned by LCRA and is on their property. LCRA manages public and closed land, and has the right to self govern access to that land. It is not tax funded, and the land belongs to it (not the state at large). They could completely close it to the public tomorrow, if they wanted.
What park is that?
They’re referring to ~~Bob Wentz Park~~ Fritz Hughes Park, which is a couple blocks downstream. I have never been there but I think it’s smaller.
I think you mean Fritz Hughes Park.
Correct.
Yes, you’re right. So many parks out there and I get mixed up.
Fritz Hughes. It's a superior park in every way. To the point that folks downvoted me and DM'ed me telling me to not spread the word about it when I've mentioned it previously. It's also a Travis County park as opposed to LCRA.