After disputes over unauthorized trails, Hutto council directs staff to produce city trail policy and include ADA guidance

The Hutto City Council on Thursday directed staff to draft a formal policy for nature trails on city property and to provide guidelines for city involvement or connectivity with privately built neighborhood trails, responding to complaints and safety concerns raised by Riverwalk residents.

The action came after Riverwalk HOA Vice President Gabriel Galindo detailed a timeline of unauthorized trail clearing on HOA land and explained resident concerns about liability, trespass, and safety. Galindo said there had been no HOA board approval for clearing the 19-acre Riverwalk Creekside parcel, that trails were created before resident control of the HOA, and that publicity about the trails brought nonresidents and problematic activity onto HOA land. “At no time has there ever been a discussion among the HOA board of directors on deeding any land along the creek,” Galindo told council.

Galindo described incidents that prompted neighborhood alarm: nonresidents camping, motorcycles using trails, dumped trash, and an episode in which a nonresident allegedly harassed a teenage pool attendant. The HOA has added no-trespassing signage and increased insurance coverage to address exposure. Galindo said he was not calling for criminal charges against the trail builder but wanted public clarity: the trails were not city parks and are not currently open to the general public.

Council members said the city needed clarity about authority, maintenance, public safety and legal exposure. Councilmember Amberley Koehler (commenting during the meeting) and others urged a written policy so staff, volunteers and community groups understand when city permissions are required and how liability will be handled.

The council motion directed staff to draft a policy for nature trails on city-owned land and to develop guidance for connectivity or collaboration with privately maintained trails. Council then amended the motion to explicitly add architectural-barriers/ADA guidance to the staff brief: members asked staff to consider federal accessibility exceptions and the Architectural Barriers Act when drafting technical design and ADA-compliance guidance for trail segments.

Councilmember discussion also touched on volunteer safety and insurance: staff noted that Texas Municipal League (TML) insurance typically covers authorized volunteer activities, but council asked staff to confirm coverage rules for volunteers working on trails and to build clear authorization steps into the policy so volunteer groups are protected.

The motion and amendment passed unanimously, 7-0. Council also asked staff to return with the policy that includes (1) direction on when city authorization is required, (2) volunteer authorization and insurance guidance, (3) trail design/maintenance standards that reference ADA/Architectural Barriers Act guidance (including suggested minimum widths and surfacing where practicable), and (4) a process for coordination with homeowners associations for connectivity or transfer of trail ownership.

Why it matters: Uncoordinated trail-building raised safety and liability concerns for homeowners and the city. A written policy will give the city a consistent approach to private‑public trail connections, clear standards for accessibility and a framework for authorized volunteer work, maintenance responsibility, and signage.

Speakers and public input: Riverwalk HOA Vice President Gabriel Galindo presented a detailed timeline and concerns; other residents and users spoke in favor of the trails but acknowledged neighborhood concerns. Chief Jeff Yarbrough, staff and councilmembers discussed enforcement and liability implications during the session.

Provenance: matter discussed under item 13.3; council motion to draft policy and ADA guidance adopted 7-0 during May 15 meeting.