103 miles and counting From the cover
The big picture
Eisenhower Park
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1604
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Stretching over 100 miles in a loop around the city, the Howard W. Peak Greenway has over 50 major trailheads, with links to local parks and approximately 1,600 acres of green space near creeks and natural areas. District 9 council member Misty Spears said the greenway has revolutionized how San Antonians interact with their city. “It’s one of the [greatest] quality of life investments we’ve been able to make for San Antonio, particularly in North San Antonio, to provide a safe place for recreation, unite neighborhoods and connect our communities with nature—all while protecting our drinking water supply by preserving land over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone,” Spears said. Brandon Ross, capital programs manager for the parks and recreation department, said the city celebrated completing 100 miles of trails in 2022 and has now finished roughly 103 miles, with an additional 6 miles currently under construction. Ross said funding for the greenway began in 2000 with a sales tax initiative, with new initiatives passed in 2005, 2010 and 2015. Around 2020, funding shifted away from sales tax toward bonds. “When the 2020 bond was coming around, the sales tax was decided to be used for something else,” Ross said. “And so at that point, the county and the city basically strategized on how to fund it from that point forward.” The newest voter-approved funding, part of the 2022 bond program, provided a major infusion of $103.5 million in funding, while Bexar County furnished $84.3 million in a one-time 10-year commitment, Ross said.
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Valero trailhead
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Voelker Homestead trailhead
Fox Park
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McAlister Park
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Bamberger Park
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Buddy Calk trailhead
Lady Bird Johnson Park
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O.P Schnabel Park
Phil Hardberger Park
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35
Leon Vista Park
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281
Mainland trailhead
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10
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Salado Creek
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151
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410
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90
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410
Howard W. Peak Greenway trail network
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35 HWP completed trails (as of 2021) Future trails San Antonio River Walk trails Trailhead access points:
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Leon Creek Greenway Salado Creek Greenway Westside Creek & San Antonio River Walk Medina River Greenway
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Mitchell Lake
San Antonio River
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Medina river
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281
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MAP NOT TO SCALE N
The specifics
San Antonio park ratings The Trust for Public Land ParkScore annually ranks 100 comparable cities across the country in five categories.
Ross said the greenway comprises multiple trail networks, such as the Medina River Greenway, Leon Creek Greenway and Salado Creek Greenway, with each offering a unique experience. “Every one of these trail segments are a little bit different from each other,” Ross said. Henry Rosales, president and CEO of the American Volkssport Association, said the green- way has transformed San Antonio from a largely unwalkable community to an environment that encourages residents to get outside, exercise and experience the outdoors.
“When we create walkable communities, [with] trails like this, people get out and utilize them,” Rosales said. According to the Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit that builds parks and protects green spaces, San Antonio uses 9% of its land for parks and recreation, which is lower than the national average of 15%. The nonprofit ranked San Antonio’s park system 57th out of 100, with 50.6 points out of 100.
Points earned
Unearned points
Amenities
52
Acreage
68
Access
26
Investment
43
Equity
64
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