Trail committee seeks lighting, amenities and maintenance funding; bridge board replacement estimated around $350,000

Committee members for the Floresville Camino Trail presented a package of recommended improvements and maintenance priorities to the Floresville City Council on Sept. 11, 2025, asking the city to help pursue matching funding, coordinate maintenance and investigate property easements for trail extensions.

Why it matters: the trail runs through the city’s historic corridor and improvements could affect trail safety, accessibility and events that draw visitors to downtown business districts. Committee priorities include lighting, additional trash and pet-waste receptacles, shaded seating, water fountains, bike tire stations, improved signage at crossings, and a small performance stage or pavilion for events.

Key points from the presentation: - Funding and timing: the committee said it expects to receive a reconciliation refund from a prior grant; members want to direct those funds toward additional trail lighting to match existing fixtures. The committee is also pursuing other grants and partnerships and reported it advanced to a later round in a current grant process. - Safety and crossings: committee members proposed enhanced crossing signage, rumble strips and other traffic-calming measures. The committee suggested the city’s streets department would likely need to fund or install those features. - Amenities and programming: proposed amenities include water fountains, restrooms, shaded benches, trash receptacles and a stage area for school or community events. The committee discussed potential sponsorship opportunities where donors could purchase benches or other trail infrastructure. - Bridge decking estimate: the committee reported a vendor estimate that replacing the bridge boards (to match the current appearance) could be about $350,000; the committee said that figure is an estimate that would require measurement and a formal bid to confirm. - Private property and easements: trail access and an alternate Riverbend route require an easement from a private owner (referred to in the transcript as Mr. Ricks); the city attorney advised that an easement recorded with the deed is needed before staff can perform work on private property. The committee also noted a pair of silos that a local property owner (referred to as Mr. Lubienski) owns; the city cannot make improvements to privately owned structures without that owner’s permission. - Motorized vehicles: committee members recommended restricting ATVs/UTVs and other motorized vehicles on the trail; committee members noted such a restriction would need to be enacted by city policy rather than by the citizen committee.

Council and staff response: city staff acknowledged the committee’s recommendations and said staff will explore partnerships, grants and the city’s capacity to address crossings and bridge maintenance. Staff also noted the need to coordinate with property owners and legal counsel for easements before work can proceed on privately owned corridors.

Ending: Committee members will continue grant work and coordination with staff; staff will follow up on easement requests, bridge bidding options and potential budget timing for decking replacement and other improvements.