New parking rules at Commons Ford for Labor Day weekend

The Labor Day holiday comes with public safety concerns, so the Austin Parks and Recreation Department will limit vehicle capacity at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park during the weekend so that emergency and staff vehicles can come and go as needed. Parking will be limited to specified areas within Commons Ford starting Friday, Aug. 30, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. No additional vehicles will be allowed to enter once capacity is reached. Parking outside the park’s gated entrance will not be allowed, and vehicles parked outside the gate along Commons Ford Road will be subject to towing. A press release from PARD reminds park visitors to “be considerate of each other and local residents, carpool when possible, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Plan ahead and prepare. Dispose of waste properly. Leave what you find. Respect wildlife. Taking care of Austin’s parks requires everyone’s help to preserve our natural spaces and public places.” The parking and operational changes were successfully tested during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.