Overcrowding at popular park preventing people from getting home

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park sees massive crowds as the weather becomes warmer this summer, and neighbors near the park worry that a large turnout during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday could create a safety hazard.

"It's really disconcerting to not be able to leave your own neighborhood," said Amy Bulls, who has lived near Commons Ford park her entire life.

There is one way in and out of the park: A narrow, two-way road that typically sees cars parked on both sides as people visit to take a dip in Lake Austin. As more and more people arrive throughout the day, it creates congestion that prevents people being able to get out of the park, and Bulls said it may prevent emergency vehicles from getting in.

Bryce Gillespie, a high school senior and park regular, said she is familiar with the congestion.

"All the cars are almost stacked on top of each other," Gillespie explained.

She added it's not rare to see cars get scratches as people try to maneuver their way out.

"Since it's so tight together, it's so easy to get a scratch on your car, and they just leave. No one ever leaves a note," Gillespie said.

But the problem is amplified during holidays when a majority of people are looking for something to do outdoors. Bulls said during this past Memorial Day, cars were so backed up on the street leading to the park that it bled into the only access road for her neighborhood.

"When it becomes blocked on those holidays, nobody can come or go, which is a safety issue for us," Bulls explained. She said during the last holiday, some of her neighbors could not get home because the road was blocked.

A City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department spokesperson said it is aware of the overcrowding at parks all over Austin during holidays.

"Austin Parks and Recreation recommends that park visitors respect and are considerate of each other and local residents, carpool with friends to parks, and practice Leave No Trace principles including planning and ahead and preparing so Austinites can continue to enjoy parks like Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Ranch," a statement from the spokesperson read.

Bulls fears the issue will happen again on the Fourth of July, and people at the park will be stuck for hours waiting to get out. A solution for her would be not allowing parking on one side of the street to allow emergency vehicles and locals to get by.

"I love going to the park. I don't mind that there's a lot of people who want to come to the park. I really wish it was a safe place for people," Bulls said.