Following a mayoral proclamation issued at last night’s City Council meeting, the City of Kerrville is launching “Kerrville Strong: Back to the River” Month, a community-wide campaign running Jan. 13 through Feb. 14 inviting residents and...
Kerrville, Texas (Jan. 14, 2026) – Following a mayoral proclamation issued at last night’s City Council meeting, the City of Kerrville is launching “Kerrville Strong: Back to the River” Month, a community-wide campaign running Jan. 13 through Feb. 14 inviting residents and visitors to reconnect with the Guadalupe River, the Kerrville River Trail and the city’s 27 parks and outdoor spaces.
The month-long campaign celebrates a major recovery milestone: the reopening of most of the Kerrville River Trail following last summer’s July 4 flood. While restoration work continues in some areas, the trail’s return marks an important step forward for a community whose identity is deeply tied to the river.
“I am deeply proud of the work our Parks team has done to ensure the River Trail is safe for recreation just five months after the flood,” said Mayor Joe Herring. “Kerrville has always been a community that finds strength and healing in nature. Even after profound loss and change, our residents continue to show up for one another, like walking the trail, spending time by the river, and I appreciate their patience as we continue rebuilding together.”
How the Campaign Works
As part of Back to the River Month, residents and visitors are encouraged to safely enjoy the River Trail or any Kerrville park, capture their experience and share it for a chance to win weekly giveaways.
Participants can enter by:
- Taking a photo while walking, biking, fishing, relaxing, or enjoying outdoor recreation on the River Trail or at a Kerrville park
- Posting the photo on Facebook or Instagram using #KerrvilleRiverTrail, or emailing it to media@kerrvilletx.gov
- Weekly prizes include City Parks swag, Kerrville-Schreiner Park annual passes, golf passes, and Olympic Pool seasonal swimming passes. No purchase is necessary to participate
Guadalupe Park Community Input Survey Results
As part of the campaign, the city is also sharing results from the Guadalupe Park Community Input Survey, which gathered 375 responses between Dec. 11, 2025 and Jan. 2, 2026. The survey reflects strong engagement from local families and highlights how residents use — including walking and biking trails, playgrounds, basketball courts, picnicking, and river views.
Key findings include:
- 50% of respondents are households with children
- 11% report accessibility needs
- Top priorities include an inclusive, sensory-friendly playground (51%), basketball courts (43%), enhanced trail connections, river and nature views and thoughtful design focused on accessibility, shade, seating, and floodplain realities
“These results reaffirm what we already know about Kerrville,” said City Manager Dalton Rice. “Our community values parks that are welcoming, inclusive and connected. These spaces serve multiple generations while respecting the river and nature.”
Rebuilding Guadalupe Park Together
Looking ahead, The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and a partnership between the NBA and all three Texas NBA teams, the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs, have committed to helping rebuild key amenities at Guadalupe Park, including an inclusive, sensory-friendly playground and a basketball court. The Foundation and the NBA teams each pledged $375,000. These commitments represent a significant step toward restoring community spaces that matter most to Kerrville families, youth and the surrounding areas.
Throughout Back to the River Month, the city aims to balance celebration with reflection — honoring those impacted by the flood while recognizing the resilience that continues to define Kerrville.
“The river is part of our story, in moments of peace and in moments of challenge,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jay Brimhall. “This campaign is about coming back together, appreciating how far we’ve come and shaping the future of our parks with our community’s voice at the center.” More information about the campaign, participation details, and ongoing restoration efforts can be found at www.kerrvilletx.gov/kerrville-strong.
