Lake Granbury park entry fee will begin soon

Visitors to DeCordova Bend Park at Lake Granbury will soon see some changes designed to improve the space, which features places to fish, launch a boat, swim, and camp.

Park roads have been adjusted to create a one-way drive so that vehicles will pass a kiosk near the entrance where a $5 per-car, per-day fee will be taken. This newly created fee will help make park visits smoother and more enjoyable, all while helping fund upkeep and future improvements. Signage will go up to help visitors navigate the new system, though it should all be relatively easy.

A cashless kiosk will accept debit and credit cards, or prepaid debit cards that can be purchased at most grocery and convenience stores. Users will receive a receipt to display on their dashboards as proof of payment. During their normal patrols of the park, lake rangers will check car dashboards as they pass for these receipts. Same-day reentry is valid with the original receipt.

The kiosk is a standalone unit that will not include gates that lift and close. The day pass fee is good from the time of entry until 11:59 p.m. Overnight campers will need to purchase a second day pass the following morning.

The park is not funded by local tax dollars. Although the BRA is a political subdivision of the state, it does not levy or collect taxes and does not receive subsidies from the state or the counties it serves to help manage the maintenance costs of lakeside parks. Except for occasional government grants to cover specific project costs, the BRA is funded entirely through water sales and the management of water and wastewater services. The BRA owns and operates both the park and the water supply reservoir.

"This new fee will really help reduce the amount of traffic that comes through the park, particularly on busy holidays or weekends," said Dylan Mayfield, BRA Lake Granbury reservoir manager.

There have been years when 300 vehicles are haphazardly parked around DeCordova Bend Park, making it difficult for emergency responders to access the area, if needed, and creating a potentially dangerous situation, Mayfield said.

"Also, if you're at the swim beach and need to get to the bathroom, you have to cross a road," Mayfield said. "The money collected will be reinvested back into the park to build amenities and enhance the area. Hopefully, in the future, we can improve the parking options to help with this.

Mayfield added that, unfortunately, people have been misusing the dumpsters located at the park for household or construction waste. "The dumpsters will be emptied in preparation for a busy weekend, and then immediately filled by people who come into the park to dump what they shouldn't," he said.

The entrance fee will also help track the length of campers' stays, as visitors can use BRA parks for a maximum period of ten days during a 30-consecutive-day period. After ten days, campers are welcome to return to any Lake Granbury park to camp after an additional 30 days have passed.

DeCordova Bend Park, off Rainey Court, is a popular location as it features a boat ramp, courtesy dock, accessible fishing pier and 21 picnic tables, including eight with awnings. With a view of the dam, it also includes 22 cooking grills, restrooms, and a designated swimming area for everyone to enjoy.

In addition to the BRA parks at Lake Granbury, the city of Granbury has two free boat ramps on the reservoir and its own park, called City Beach, which includes kayak rentals, picnic pavilions, a splash park, and is within walking distance of the historic downtown square, according to the city's website.

Future consideration will be given to the feasibility and logistics of an annual pass for DeCordova Bend Park and discounts for veterans and senior citizens.