New Braunfels, August 27, 2025
News Summary
City officials in New Braunfels celebrated the completion of the Alligator Creek Trail, featuring a new 1.1-mile concrete path for pedestrians and cyclists. The project, valued at $1.5 million, enhances local mobility and links neighborhoods. Construction began in late 2024, with community-focused amenities included. The trail is part of a larger revitalization plan, along with the acquisition of 130 acres for future park development.
New Braunfels — City officials marked the completion of the Alligator Creek Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 22, 2025, unveiling a new 1.1-mile, 10-foot-wide concrete path designed for pedestrians and cyclists. The project, contracted to Jerdon Enterprise, L.P. at a cost of $1.5 million, provides an accessible, beginner-friendly route from Goodwin Lane to Orion Drive and is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Key details at a glance
The trail is intended to improve local mobility, safety, and outdoor recreation while linking neighborhoods. It includes benches, trash cans, and dog waste stations and is described by city officials as the first phase of a broader revitalization plan. Construction began in November 2024, and the trail will form part of an eventual extension to FM 1102 as the city develops a master plan for new parkland recently acquired by the Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
Project scope and immediate impact
The Alligator Creek Trail spans 1.1 miles and features a 10-foot-wide concrete path designed to accommodate both walkers and bicyclists, with a gentle, beginner-friendly alignment intended to be accessible to users of varied abilities. Amenities placed along the trail aim to maintain cleanliness and comfort for users. The project’s completion is positioned as expanding recreational opportunities and creating safer, more convenient connections between nearby neighborhoods.
Construction and funding
Jerdon Enterprise, L.P. was selected as the contractor for the project, and the construction contract totaled $1.5 million. Groundbreaking and development work began in November 2024, and the trail reached completion in August 2025.
Connection to broader land acquisition and park planning
At the same meeting that celebrated the trail’s completion, the New Braunfels City Council approved the purchase of 130 acres of land intended for future parks. The EDC allocated $8 million to acquire two adjacent properties — the 68-acre Rahe property and the 63-acre Hahn property — located near FM 1102 and Hunter Road. The combined purchase is expected to increase the city’s total park acreage by approximately 18%. The new site contains both pasture and woodland areas that are being evaluated for trails, conservation, and recreational development. City planning will move forward with a master plan for the newly acquired parkland, and a future extension of the Alligator Creek Trail to FM 1102 has been included in initial planning considerations.
Why this matters
Population growth and historical demand for parkland on the city’s north side were cited as drivers for the recent land purchase and trail development. The trail and land acquisition together are intended to meet increasing local demand for outdoor recreation and green space, offer more connected active-transportation options, and preserve open land for future community use.
What to expect for users
- Access hours: 6 a.m. to midnight daily.
- Users: designed for pedestrians and cyclists of all skill levels.
- Amenities: benches, trash receptacles, and dog waste stations along the route.
- Accessibility: concrete surface and gradual alignment for universal access.
Next steps and planning
The trail represents the initial phase of a larger vision for improvements in the area. City planners and the EDC will advance a master plan for the newly purchased 130-acre site and study options to extend the Alligator Creek Trail to FM 1102. Further phases of construction, funding sources for extensions, and design details for the new parkland will be developed through the city’s planning processes and future public meetings.
Funding and land specifics
The EDC’s $8 million expenditure covers two adjacent parcels — the Rahe property (68 acres) and the Hahn property (63 acres). The mixed terrain of pasture and woodland offers opportunities for trails, conservation areas, and varied park amenities. The acreage increase will expand the city’s park inventory by an estimated 18%, addressing recognized needs driven by growth along the city’s north side.
Tables and visual summaries
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trail name | Alligator Creek Trail |
| Length | 1.1 miles |
| Width | 10 feet (concrete) |
| Primary users | Pedestrians and cyclists |
| Contractor | Jerdon Enterprise, L.P. |
| Construction cost | $1.5 million |
| Development start | November 2024 |
| Opening / Ribbon cutting | August 22, 2025 |
| Parkland acquisition | 130 acres for $8 million (Rahe 68 acres, Hahn 63 acres) |
| Trail hours | 6 a.m. – midnight daily |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| November 2024 | Development and construction began on Alligator Creek Trail | Project under construction |
| August 22, 2025 | Ribbon-cutting ceremony and official opening of the trail | Trail completed and open to public |
| August 22, 2025 | City Council approval of purchase of 130 acres for future parks | EDC to spend $8 million on Rahe and Hahn properties |
| Future (date TBD) | Master plan development for new parkland and trail extension to FM 1102 | Planning phase |
Simple visual charts
Cost vs. Land Value (visual)
Acreage distribution (visual)
Park acreage increase
FAQ
What are the trail’s hours of operation?
The Alligator Creek Trail is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.
How long is the trail and who can use it?
The trail is 1.1 miles long, 10 feet wide, and is designed for pedestrians and cyclists of all skill levels.
Who built the trail and how much did it cost?
Jerdon Enterprise, L.P. was the construction contractor, and the project cost $1.5 million.
When did construction start and when did the trail open?
Construction began in November 2024, and the trail officially opened with a ribbon-cutting on August 22, 2025.
What additional parkland did the city acquire?
The city’s Economic Development Corporation approved an $8 million purchase of 130 acres made up of the 68-acre Rahe property and the 63-acre Hahn property near FM 1102 and Hunter Road.
Will the trail be extended?
Plans include extending the Alligator Creek Trail to FM 1102 as part of a master plan for the newly acquired parkland; specific timelines and funding for extensions will be developed during planning.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Community Impact: New Braunfels Opens Alligator Creek Trail
- Wikipedia: New Braunfels, Texas
- Hoodline: New Braunfels Unveils Scenic Alligator Creek Trail
- Google Search: Alligator Creek Trail New Braunfels
- Community Impact: Willard Canyon Trail Completion
- Google Scholar: Alligator Creek Trail New Braunfels
- Express News: New Braunfels Park Purchase
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Alligator Creek Trail New Braunfels
- Community Impact: Public Meeting on Plans for Alligator Creek Trail
- Google News: Alligator Creek Trail New Braunfels
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