2025 Year in Review

A view of Fredericksburg Fields at sunset

Welcome to the 2025 Year in Review, a snapshot of the progress, milestones, and momentum that shaped the past year. This review highlights key achievements across five focus areas: Quality of Life, Infrastructure, Public Safety, Community Development, and Awards and Achievements. Each section showcases the major initiatives completed in 2025 and the meaningful impact they’ve had on the New Braunfels community. Together, they tell the story of a year defined by growth, collaboration, and forward-looking investment.

Quality of Life

  1. 1 Willard Canyon Trail Park Officially Opens
  2. 2 Landa Park Aquatic Complex Completes Major Renovations
  3. 3 Market Plaza Park Dedicated As Historic Site
  4. 4 Library Launches Teen Advisory Board
  5. 5 Library Launches Mobile Outreach Program
  6. 6 Mission Hill Park Phase Two Underway
  7. 7 City Begins Planning Future Northwest Community Park
  8. 8 Zipp Family Sports Park Construction Progresses

In 2025, New Braunfels expanded and enhanced its parks system through new recreational amenities, major facility renovations, historic recognition, and continued accreditation for excellence in parks and recreation services.

  1. The City’s newest park, Willard Canyon Trail, was opened offering new outdoor recreation opportunities.
  2. The Landa Park Aquatic Complex completed major renovations including renovations to the Olympic Pool, updates to play structures, ADA improvements, Bath House renovations, party room improvements, and landscape enhancements.
  3. Market Plaza Park was officially dedicated as a historical marker by the Texas Historical Commission, recognizing its cultural and historical significance. The downtown park was established in 1845 by New Braunfels first settlers.
  4. The Library launched Library Express, a mobile outreach program bringing library services, workshops, story times, and digital literacy support directly to parks, community centers, events, and underserved populations.

In 2025, New Braunfels’ Parks and Recreation and Library services demonstrated excellence through national accreditation, new recreational amenities, award-winning library services, and strong community engagement.

  1. The Parks and Recreation Department earned recertification from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) reaffirming our commitment to excellence in parks and recreation services.
  2. The first phase of Alligator Creek Trail officially opened offering a 10-foot-wide concrete walking and biking path.
  3. The Library received the 2024 Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association. This award recognizes outstanding library services and community impact.
  4. The Library conducted 4,345 programs with 65,391program attendees, saw 319,935 visitors, and circulated more than 582,000 materials.

In 2025, New Braunfels made significant progress on parks and recreation, with new facilities opening, major projects advancing, and master planning underway for future park developments.

  1. Work at Zipp Family Sports Park progressed steadily throughout the year as fields, structures, and lighting took shape, with sod installed and the facility on track to open in summer 2026.
  2. The City launched the master planning process for its future 131-acre park on the northwest side of town, incorporating public input to shape the park’s vision. The park will be larger than Landa Park and Fischer Park combined.
  3. Phase two of Mission Hill Park got underway with the project set to add several new features to the park including an observation tower with a canopy walk, expanded trails, and event space. The new phase will open this Spring.
  4. The Library launched a Teen Advisory Board giving teens a voice in library programs, leadership experience, and opportunities to shape resources for their peers.

Infrastructure

In 2025, the City of New Braunfels completed key infrastructure projects, operational upgrades, and secured funding that improves roadway safety, traffic flow, pedestrian access, and overall transportation efficiency.

  1. The Last Public Exit project on the Comal River was completed just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, improving access, safety, and visitor experience during the peak summer season.
  2. The Klein Road Expansion Project (Walnut Avenue to FM 725) was successfully completed, enhancing traffic flow and safety.
  3. The Common Street Pedestrian Improvement Project added sidewalks, ADA curb ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian beacons to improve safety and accessibility.
  4. AAMPO awarded $146 million in funding for seven New Braunfels transportation projects, supporting new roadway, pedestrian, and multimodal improvements while offsetting rising construction costs and advancing projects through 2032.
  1. 1 AAMPO Funds Major Improvements Through 2032
  2. 2 Common Street Pedestrian Safety Improvements Completed
  3. 3 Goodwin-Conrads Project Advances With Bridge Opening
  4. 4 Klein Road Expansion Improves Traffic Flow
  5. 5 Last Public Exit Improvements Completed Before Summer
  6. 6 City Launches Right-of-Way Beautification Program
  7. 7 Union Street Improvement Project Completed
  8. 8 Walnut Avenue Repaving Extends Corridor Improvements

In 2025, New Braunfels advanced key infrastructure and beautification efforts, including major roadway improvements and community beautification.

  • The City launched a Right-of-Way and Beautification Program to enhance the appearance, safety, and cleanliness of major corridors citywide, significantly expanding maintenance along state and local roadways.
  • The Goodwin Lane/Conrads Lane project kicked off with significant work completed, including the opening of the Goodwin Lane bridge. Additional roadwork continues with an estimated completion of summer 2027.
  • Walnut Avenue from County Line Rd to Klein Road was repaved adding to the section of Walnut Avenue (Landa Street to Business 35) that was completed the prior year.
  • The Union Street Improvement Project was completed which included curb and sidewalk replacements, intersection improvements, street repaving, and improved pavement markings.

Public Safety

From facility investments to exceptional service, the City remains committed to keeping our community safe. Here are just a few Public Safety highlights from 2025.

  1. Fire Station #5 reopened following a $2.2 million remodel that added critical health and safety upgrades that support firefighter wellness and readiness.
  2. The Fire Department once again earned a Class 1 ISO rating, the highest possible classification for fire protection services. This elite designation reflects strong emergency response capabilities and provides potential insurance savings to the community.
  3. A recent Police Department Patrol Staffing Study found that NBPD’s response time performance is extraordinary, both for Priority 1 calls and non-emergency calls.
  4. Osbaldo Flores was sworn in as the new Police Chief in January of 2025, bringing a strong background in patrol operations, community engagement, and managing complex, high-activity environments.
  1. 1 Total Crime Decreases Six Percent
  2. 2 NBFD Earns Class 1 ISO Rating
  3. 3 Fire & Police Support Flood Recovery Efforts
  4. 4 MIH Program Earns Statewide Pubic Safety Award
  5. 5 New Police Chief Sworn In
  6. 6 Station 5 Renovation Complete
  7. 7 Assistant Police Chief Graduates FBI Academy
  8. 8 Study Finds Extraordinary Response Times

In 2025, the City’s public safety departments demonstrated excellence through advanced leadership training, reduced crime, award-winning innovation, and impactful disaster response support.

  1. Assistant Police Chief David Blevins graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, enhancing the department’s knowledge and leadership skills.
  2. Total crime in New Braunfels decreased 6% in 2025 compared to 2024, based on National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data.
  3. The Fire Department’s Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program earned the 2025 Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Award in Public Safety.
  4. New Braunfels Fire and Police Department personnel deployed to Kerr and Burnett counties to support recovery efforts following the devasting July floods including paramedic, all-hazards, peer support, and drone assistance.  

Community Development

  1. 1 Traffic Signal Box Art Program Launches
  2. 2 City Funds Northeast Lakeview College Expansion
  3. 3 City Begins Comprehensive Plan Update Process
  4. 4 Arts and Culture Master Plan Begins

In 2025, New Braunfels advanced community development through creative placemaking, expanded educational investment, and the launch of long-range planning efforts to guide arts, culture, and future growth.

  1. The Traffic Signal Box Art Program was launched, bringing color and creativity to downtown streetscapes.
  2. City Council approved $3.8 million in NBEDC funding to support the expansion of Northeast Lakeview College’s New Braunfels campus, bringing more education opportunities, expanding workforce training programs, and strengthening the local economy.
  3. The City initiated development of the Arts & Culture Master Plan, which will lay the groundwork for a vibrant and creative future.
  4. The City launched the process to update its Comprehensive Plan, Envision New Braunfels, inviting community input to help guide future growth, priorities, and quality of life decisions.


Strategic Management

In 2025, the City of New Braunfels demonstrated a strong commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and public engagement through extensive outreach, open government practices, and consistent communication with residents.

  1. The City held 156 public meetings, connecting directly with residents and gathering input on key initiatives.
  2. The property tax rate was held flat for the third year in a row and was below the No-New Revenue Rate.
  3. The City earned the Texas Transparency Trailblazer designation from the Texas Comptroller through the Transparency Stars Program. This recognition highlights New Braunfels’ commitment to open government and public access to information.
  4. The City issued 98 press releases, participated in 92 interviews, processed 534 media requests, maintained 15 active social media accounts, hosted 800+ webpages and documents, and sent an e-newsletter every month to more than 67,000 subscribers.
  1. 1 Property Tax Remains Flat
  2. 2 Robust Citywide Communications and Media Outreach
  3. 3 City Earns State Transparency Recognition