130 Acres Could Open for Primitive Trails Under a Five-Year Lease

The proposal covers two EDC-owned tracts in northwest New Braunfels and assigns utilities, insurance, maintenance and improvements to the city.

By Comal.News Government Desk · Source-linked local reporting

Published September 14, 2026 at 1:36 PM CDT2 min read

Vote scheduled Sept. 15

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Stylized cream and muted-blue illustration of a rugged trail winding among oak trees, rocks, grasses and low shrubs. — Illustration: A primitive trail winds through oak-dotted Hill Country land.Original editorial illustration; not a photograph and does not depict the reported event or an exact property.Comal.News Visual Desk · Original illustration · Source ↗ · Comal.News original illustration ↗

If approved, the proposal would allow primitive public access to northwest New Braunfels land while putting utilities, insurance, maintenance and any improvements on the city.

About 130.8 acres in northwest New Braunfels could open for primitive trail access under a five-year lease the EDC is scheduled to consider Tuesday.

From the source record

Proposed leaseNorthwest New Braunfels Parkland Lease

Five-year lease with the City of New Braunfels for trail and park access.

City of New Braunfels ↗

The proposed agreement would place EDC-owned parkland under city management for natural-surface trail access.

The draft lease covers approximately 62.6 acres in the O. Russell Survey and another 68.163 acres near 3982 Hunter Road. The two acreage figures in the draft lease total 130.763 acres.

City staff says the EDC approved an $8 million project expenditure in February 2024 to buy approximately 130 acres for economic-development projects and future park space. Staff describes a Northwest Park master plan as underway; until that plan is approved and implemented, the proposal anticipates natural-surface trails without additional amenities.

Under the lease terms, the EDC would incur no expenses. The city would accept the property as-is and take responsibility for construction and maintenance expenses, utilities, insurance, permits and compliance with health and safety rules. Either party could terminate the agreement with 30 days’ written notice.

The EDC board is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, in the City Hall Council Chambers at 550 Landa St. The next useful record will be the board’s action on item 26-1069, followed by any documents establishing when access begins and what the city will spend.

130 Acres Could Open for Primitive Trails Under a Five-Year Lease

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