Tree Magnet Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Some local FYI on an Austin area trail. River Place is a hiking only trail up in NW Austin so if you only ride trails, you might not have heard about it. However, it has some good elevation changes and trail runners around town use it to train and it's actually a pretty fun hike. Starting in March, they are going to put private contractors at the entrances and charge non-residents of the neighborhood to use it. I hope they end up paying more to the contractors than they collect but there is plenty of money in that neighborhood so I doubt they care. https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/new-10-fee-coming-to-popular-austin-nature-trail 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anita Handle Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 We should check residency at all CoA parks and charge River Place residents 10 bucks to use our stuff. Douches. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSarge Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 And it's not even per car - it's per person/pet. So if my wife and I take the dog, it's $30 for a stupid hike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Oh Austin. Never a missed opportunity to make poor folk feel unwelcome. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBaron Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Tree Magnet said: I hope they end up paying more to the contractors than they collect but there is plenty of money in that neighborhood so I doubt they care. You lookin at that the wrong way. I BET THEY HOPE THAT THEY LOSE MONEY ON THE CONTRACTORS THEY PAY TO COLLECT MONEY. I.e. what they have done is implement a cost-structure for the HOA to help insure that they have/keep the trails to themselves. Thus, the less money they collect, means the fewer 'strangers' they have to share the trails with. -CJB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 (edited) Sunset Valley should do the same. That crazy lady that boobytraps Mordor can run the toll gate day and night. Edited February 12, 2019 by mack_turtle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 If only they allowed bikes... Imagine a dozen mountain bikers with full armor, 8" travel bikes and full face helmets showing up with Hamiltons in their hands. I'd pay for the look on their faces when someone says "hey, we are willing to pay, what's wrong?" 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidingAgain Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 And now a new precedent is being introduced to the Austin trail scene. Tell me... What happens if you simply refuse to pay and just walk onto the trail... Are they going to beat you up, or call the cops on you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamwa Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 (edited) 42 minutes ago, RidingAgain said: And now a new precedent is being introduced to the Austin trail scene. Tell me... What happens if you simply refuse to pay and just walk onto the trail... Are they going to beat you up, or call the cops on you? They can do what they want. Steiner excludes the general public too unless with a resident. It's dumb (to non residents) but it their prerogative. Not sure why y'all folks are getting so bent. and yes, they will pummel the living shit out of you. With nothing to do but pick up the young uns at 3, they have plenty of energy to do it before soccer practice. Edited February 12, 2019 by Bamwa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBaron Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 I'd wager that their HOA meeting went something not unlike this.... "hey all these non-residents are encroaching onto our trail systems. Can we pay a security guard type person to keep these people out? Yes, of course we can, but why don't we just use these security (private contractors) people to collect a ridiculously high "entry use fee"? This way we don't look as douchey and maybe we collect a few bucks?....all in favor say aye." But to answer your question directly @RidingAgain, I think it would go something like: Private Contractor: Sir, this is private property if you would like to hike here there is a $10 fee. You: Hey you can go screw yourself, I'm not paying anything. [keeps on hiking] Private Contractor: You realize this is private property and you can be charged for trespassing? You: I don't care what you say, its America and I can do what I want [fwd's the contractor 7 cut-n-pasted links to people who've done something similar] Private Contractor: [picks up the phone and dials 911 to report a trespasser on the HOA private property] Cheers, -CJB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 1 hour ago, CBaron said: means the fewer 'strangers' they have to share the trails with. DING DING DING DING! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anita Handle Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 I've gone there with my kids to hike. We were always respectful and limited ourselves to only a small fire pit and one single cabrito. Plus we always cleaned up most of the pinata tailings. Not cool river place, not cool. My abuela is going to miss our time camping there. 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoAmI Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Reddit's Austin subreddit has a discussion on this article. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 14 minutes ago, WhoAmI said: Reddit's Austin subreddit has a discussion on this article. And I'm down in the rabbit hole.... This little jewel was in there, with reference to getting out of Steiner Ranch/Riverplace like it's the state penitentiary or something! LOL! Quote That's good to hear and I'm actually kinda jealous you got out lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidingAgain Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 2 hours ago, Bamwa said: They can do what they want. Steiner excludes the general public too unless with a resident. It's dumb (to non residents) but it their prerogative. Not sure why y'all folks are getting so bent. and yes, they will pummel the living shit out of you. With nothing to do but pick up the young uns at 3, they have plenty of energy to do it before soccer practice. Private property, and those who own it. Thanks goodness there are alternatives. Now we just have to learn to not worry and be happy with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidingAgain Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 2 hours ago, CBaron said: Private Contractor: Sir, this is private property if you would like to hike here there is a $10 fee. You: Hey you can go screw yourself, I'm not paying anything. [keeps on hiking] Private Contractor: You realize this is private property and you can be charged for trespassing? You: I don't care what you say, its America and I can do what I want [fwd's the contractor 7 cut-n-pasted links to people who've done something similar] Private Contractor: [picks up the phone and dials 911 to report a trespasser on the HOA private property] Cheers, -CJB America used to be British private property. Well, part of it at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 My dog keeps asking to go to fancy trails like this and I tell her, "sweetheart, you need to get a job and stop spending all daddy's money on your fancy trails. You need to get a J-O-B." But that lazy bitch refuses to work. 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seths Pool Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 3 hours ago, RidingAgain said: And now a new precedent is being introduced to the Austin trail scene. Tell me... What happens if you simply refuse to pay and just walk onto the trail... Are they going to beat you up, or call the cops on you? 2 hours ago, CBaron said: I'd wager that their HOA meeting went something not unlike this.... "hey all these non-residents are encroaching onto our trail systems. Can we pay a security guard type person to keep these people out? Yes, of course we can, but why don't we just use these security (private contractors) people to collect a ridiculously high "entry use fee"? This way we don't look as douchey and maybe we collect a few bucks?....all in favor say aye." But to answer your question directly @RidingAgain, I think it would go something like: Private Contractor: Sir, this is private property if you would like to hike here there is a $10 fee. You: Hey you can go screw yourself, I'm not paying anything. [keeps on hiking] Private Contractor: You realize this is private property and you can be charged for trespassing? You: I don't care what you say, its America and I can do what I want [fwd's the contractor 7 cut-n-pasted links to people who've done something similar] Private Contractor: [picks up the phone and dials 911 to report a trespasser on the HOA private property] Cheers, -CJB Im gonna keep my reply very short and sweet and not tell the story on how ive dealt with this. don't do this kind of shit! the entitled attitude that people apparently have and disrespect for other people's private property is very surprising. some times the best answer is to just follow the rules or stay away. and sometimes staying away is the rule! "no trespassing" 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidingAgain Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 11 years in Austin... Been to Steiner twice. Once to pick up something I bought off craigslist. And last Thanksgiving for lunch at the house of a Haitian friend of my wife. Beautiful house BTW... Backed onto a greenbelt and overlooking the river. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamsloan Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 I think I've never gone there because I just assumed I had to be a member of the club to have access. Didn't ever think to actually try and check the place out...oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 12 minutes ago, Teamsloan said: I think I've never gone there because I just assumed I had to be a member of the club to have access. Didn't ever think to actually try and check the place out...oh well. and, I'm not going to pay to be a member of any club that would have people like me as a member ... (where's the Groucho emoji?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 17 minutes ago, Teamsloan said: I think I've never gone there because I just assumed I had to be a member of the club to have access. Didn't ever think to actually try and check the place out...oh well. You have until March! I've never hiked the trail but my wife has used the courts (I think because she was playing a local), and I've parked in the lot when I'm doing Big View repeats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tip Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 This is another good entry in my bullet point "Why Trails are Good" list. -Trails are such a valued amenity that some douchy HOAs actually charge admission to use them. And to Mack Turtle; this would not work in Sunset Valley. That lady wants it all to herself no matter what the revenue. And Ha!, like Sunset Valley needs it anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyyhorn Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 I saw the reddit post earlier this morning and after reading those comments and the ones here I can see arguments for both sides. On one side, you have a trail that people like to use and now they can't (or have to pay a fee) which of course makes people mad. On the other hand, I can't say I would be super happy to keep paying to clean a trail because the users were littering. I would think the homeowners just got tired of it and this was the quickest solution. To relate it to our world of mountain biking, I can tell from the posts over the last 6 months how the people that are the most dedicated to trail building or trail maintenance are getting tired of fixing ruts when trails are ridden wet. I can't say that I blame them, but they are extremely dedicated folks that have a passion about trail building and will continue to march on (with the community's help), but those ordinary folks that just see $$ getting wasted are unlikely to be so forgiving. If it truly is private property (this was debated in that reddit post) then I would think it's their prerogative to do what they please with it. If one day the land owner of Cat Mountain decided to close it off I would be unhappy, but understand that isn't my property and I was simply a guest there. I sure wouldn't want to be the board of the community that decided to enact the fee once a local news station picks up the story. - Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anita Handle Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 I quite enjoyed hiking there even though it uses copious amounts of cedar stair steps to deal with the steepness and poorly routed design. Not a lot of places in town with this amount of elevation change and nice scenery. But it is theirs to control and they don't want the riff raff in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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