The winding path to Marble Falls’ new pedestrian bridge
Addison Doherty (left) and Sarena Wathen stroll across the recently-opened pedestrian bridge over Backbone Creek than now connects Johnson and Lakeside parks. Photo by Logan Lock
Written by: Logan Lock, Anna Moyer, Addison Dehorty, Maksim Solovyev, and Sarena Wathen
Editor’s note: This article was a collaborative effort, written by Marble Falls High School juniors who visited the DailyTrib office for the Rotary Club of Marble Falls’ 2026 career day program.
After years of design and development, the pedestrian bridge connecting Lakeside and Johnson parks over Backbone Creek in downtown Marble Falls has been opened for daytime use. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony and 24-hour access is expected in late February.
Christian Fletcher, executive director of the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation, told DailyTrib junior reporters that plans for the bridge had been in place for over 16 years as part of the city’s downtown master plan, but actual construction began in spring 2025.
“We’re committed to enhancing the quality of life of the community and making our park spaces more accessible,” Fletcher said. “We think that this project goes a long way to achieve that.”
He explained that the bridge would provide easy connectivity between the parks and unify the public spaces of Marble Falls.
The bridge will remain off-limits after sunset and before sunrise until lighting is installed. After the threat of cold weather subsides, a final round of landscaping will be done and the bridge should be fully open according to Fletcher.
The $1.5 million bridge is part of a greater $4.2 million package of projects that the Marble Falls EDC approved in 2024, which includes improved lighting throughout the parks, a man-made water feature, a new pavilion, and other infrastructure upgrades.