COVID-19 Parks & Recreation Info
Updated: 3/3/2021
City Reopens Facilities to the Public, Masks Required
The City of San Marcos reopened all public facilities including park pavilions and picnic areas Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Capes Park, Thompson’s Island, and Rio Vista pool will remain closed.
Many departments will utilize WaitWhile to manage appointments which allow visitors to arrive, check-in from their mobile device, and wait in their vehicle until staff is ready to receive them for the appointment. For current COSM operating procedures listed by department, click here.
Park patrons are encouraged to participate in active recreational activities such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing, walking, running and general exercise. Visitors to these areas must practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals not in your household and are prohibited from gathering in groups of more than ten people. It is important to note that all playscapes/playgrounds and basketball courts within the parks are now open, however, there are additional guidelines that must be followed. Visit the "Park, Playground, & Court Guidelines" tab above for additional usage guidelines and the physical distancing in parks webpage. If you bring in your own play equipment do not share it and remember to pack it out when you leave.
Patrons are asked to avoid active construction zones in portions of Rio Vista Park and Children's Park for the San Marcos Shared Use Path Trail project. All posted Park rules will be enforced and can be viewed on the Park Rules webpage.
Please follow all city, county, state, and national health and safety mandates. For more information on those mandates visit the City’s COVID-19 Information and Resource page.
City parks and natural areas that are open:
- Anita Reyes Park
- Bicentennial Park
- Children’s Park
- City Park
- Conway Park
- Dog Park
- Dunbar Park
- Eddie Durham Park
- Franklin Square Park
- Hays County Veterans Memorial
- JJ Stokes Park
- Jaycees Park
- Juan Veramendi Historical Plaza
- Kenneth M. Copeland Memorial Park
- Mill Street Park
- Cpt. Paul Pena Park
- Ramon Lucio Park
- Rio Vista Park & Tennis Courts
- River Ridge Park
- San Marcos Plaza Park
- Skate Park
- Swift Memorial Park
- Vietnam Veterans Park
- Victory Gardens Park
- William and Eleanor Crook River Park
- Willow Springs Park
- Blanco Shoals Natural Area
- Prospect Park Natural Area
- Purgatory Creek Natural Area
- Ringtail Ridge Natural Area
- Schulle Canyon Natural Area
- Sessom Creek Natural Area
- Spring Lake Natural Area
The following parks are closed until further notice:
- Thompson’s Island (closed due to safety hazards)
- Cape’s Camp (closed due to safety hazards)
Park Guidelines (including Dog Park & Skate Park)
If safety measures are not followed, the parks will be closed.
- Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms as listed by the CDC Guidelines.
- Groups may not exceed 10 individuals.
- Stay 6 feet away from others not in your group.
- Avoid gathering with others outside of your household.
- Passive recreation is discouraged.
- Cover sneezes and coughs with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
- Consider wearing a face covering.
- Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean and sanitize your recreational equipment before and after use.
- All other park rules apply.
Playground Guidelines
Parents and guardians should ensure children accessing the playground follow the safety measures listed below. If safety measures are not followed, the playground will be closed.
- Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms as listed by the CDC Guidelines.
- Play at your own risk. Play structures are not regularly cleaned or sanitized.
- Wash and/or sanitize their hands before and after touching the play structures.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Consider wearing a face covering.
- Bring your own water bottle.
- Avoid large gatherings. Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet apart from those not in your household.
- All other park rules apply.
- Have fun!
Court Guidelines
If players do not respect occupancy, courts will be closed and/or locked.
- Outdoor pickleball and tennis courts - double play is allowed.
- Outdoor basketball courts - dribble, shoot, and participate in other ball handling drills or activities alone or with household members.
- Please be vigilant in preventing the spread of the virus by practicing good hygiene as recommended by CDC Guidelines.
- Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms as listed by the CDC Guidelines.
- Please do not enter the courts if you have any symptoms or exposure risks as listed by the CDC guidelines.
- Consider wearing a face covering.
- All spectators and players waiting for a court must remain outside of the fence/off the court and are encouraged to stay in their vehicles, until a court becomes available.
- Social distancing procedures must be practiced at all times.
- Before, during and after play, players must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from other people.
- Players should not share equipment with others outside their household. Players should label their name on a personal ball(s) that only they will touch during play (i.e. each player enters the court with his/her owns ball(s).
- If a ball from another court comes to you, send it back with a kick or with your racquet.
- Players are encouraged to bring and use hand sanitizer.
- Players are encouraged to place their personal items (backpacks, water bottles, etc.) at a safe distance (6 feet) from other player items to avoid any surface contact.
- The emergency exit gates shall be left open to prevent surface contact. One way in, one way out.
- No handshakes, paddle bumps or physical contact between players.
- All other posted racquet court rules apply.
Program Updates
Please see below for updates on programs and events. As we reopen our facilities, this page will be updated with programs and events that are permitted based on the current state, county, and local orders.
Athletics
- JR. NBA/WNBA (Youth) - February 20, 2021 - March 27, 2021
- Adult Softball Pre Season Tournament - February 22, 2021 - February 25, 2021
- Adult Softball Spring Season - March 15, 2021 - April 29, 2021
Discovery Center Native Plant Sale – Curbside Pickup
Spring Plant Sale information coming soon.
Senior Programs
Please visit the 50+ Program webpage for information on 50+ outdoor events. All indoor senior programs have been suspended. For information on our modified Pickleball program, please visit the Adult Pickleball Open Play webpage to view the changes that have been made to that program. While we are waiting for the rest of the 50+ programs to resume, please see the section titled "Virtual Recreation" below for numerous activities, classes, tours, and adventures for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
Travel Group Trips
Travel Group Trips have been canceled.
Virtual Recreation
Check out the Virtual Recreation Center for ways to stay active and connected. There is also a 50+ Virtual Recreation Center with activities, exercises, and virtual tours.
Youth Camps
Spring Break Camp has been canceled for 2021. A decision regarding Summer Fun & Discovery Camp 2021 is to be determined and details will be announced at a later date.
Youth Special Events
- Tales on the Trails - Virginia Witte Way Trail at Schulle Canyon Natural Area, 100 Ridgewood. Family-friendly storybook trail walk featuring Mr. Hare's Big Secret by Hannah Dale. City partnership with Community Action, Inc. The story will be set up March 2-31, 2021.
Online Accounts & Memberships
Online Accounts in ACTIVE Net
You can register for classes and purchase Activity Center memberships all online.
- If you have registered for a class/program or rented a facility AND you provided us with an email, you already have an account. You need to log in and reset your password.
- If you have an account set up for online registration and know your password, please log in and make sure your contact information (cell phone and email) is correct.
- If you do not have an account, please create one.
Periodic updates in regards to Parks and Recreation operations, facility closures, and spotlight programs are sent out through our customer database in ACTIVE Net. We need accurate contact information to be able to communicate with you so please make sure that your contact information is up to date in order to receive notifications from us.
Activity Center Memberships
As of December 28, 2020, all Activity Center memberships were suspended and will be extended for the number of days the Activity Center has been closed.
For members on payment plans, your January payment was processed but you will still receive that month of membership perks when we reopen since the Activity Center was closed.
Total Wellness Memberships
Total Wellness is offering virtual group fitness memberships that include access to pre-recorded workouts, live-stream, blog, and interactive Zoom classes. Visit the Fitness webpage for more information on the program and how to register.
If you have any questions regarding your account or membership, please contact us at 512-393-8280 or email Parks and Recreation.
The Activity Center is now open by appointment only. All City of San Marcos public facilities are currently closed to help ensure that COVID-19 case counts remain low among City staff and within the overall community. The Grant Harris, Jr. Building (Parks and Recreation Office), and the Discovery Center are closed. For more information, check out the press release.
Rio Vista Tennis Courts are open. Visitors are asked to follow CDC guidelines, including wearing a mask and maintaining at least six feet of distance from those who do not reside in the same home. Anyone experiencing COVID-related symptoms should not enter a facility, park, or recreational area.
Reservations
All facility reservations taking place at the San Marcos Activity Center, Dunbar Recreation Center, City Park Rec Hall, Old Fish Hatchery, picnic and pavilion sites, and the gazebo have been canceled through February 2021.
Stay Active & Informed
Check out the Virtual Recreation Center and the 50+ Virtual Recreation Center for ways to stay active and connected. Follow us on the SMTX Community Services Facebook page for updates.
For more information on city, county, state, and federal orders visit the City’s COVID-19 Information and Resource page.