The Pflugerville City Council unanimously approved new rules for Lake Pflugerville and the city's trail network, including a ban on alcohol at the lake. Parks and Recreation Director Shane Mize said that despite the lake's growing popularity, lake safety consistently has the lowest resident satisfaction rate in Parks and Recreation surveys. Mize said that within the past year, a staff member had a gun pulled on them after asking a visitor to leave after consuming an excessive amount of alcohol. The new rules also include shortened park hours, prohibitions on boats with gas-powered engines, amplified sound without a permit, and setting up and using personal grills in the park. Tents must be placed 10 feet apart to comply with fire code.
Possessing and consuming alcohol at Lake Pflugerville Park are prohibited under the new park rules. During peak season from March 1 to September 30, Lake Pflugerville Park will operate from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fishing on the lake and the trails surrounding Lake Pflugerville will remain open 24/7.
The City Council also established a new 12 mph speed limit for e-bikes on the city's trail network. Assistant Parks and Recreation director, Jeff Achée, said that many cities started with 20 mph speed limits, but over time lowered them to 12 mph to enhance safety on shared-use paths. Mayor Doug Weiss said, "We prefer compliance over enforcement and punishment."