Photo Credit: Courtesy of San Antonio Parks And Recreation Department
In an urban, densely populated area, finding nearby property to develop green space where families can recreate is a tremendous challenge. So is environmentally friendly transportation. In 2000, the city of San Antonio, Texas, decided to use a one-two punch to address those challenges. City leaders placed on the ballot a proposition asking voters to approve a sales-tax initiative to fund hike-and-bike trails along the city’s creekways.
Voters took that leap of faith and approved a sales tax allowing the construction of a series of creek-based linear trails along three of the city’s waterways. Eleven years later--with the purchase of more than 1,100 acres of environmentally sensitive land, as well as the completed construction of 22 miles of trails and another 15 under construction--voters have shown their approval by extending the program.
The new initiative, approved in November 2010, provides for the continued development of trails along numerous waterways across the city, including the Salado and Leon creeks, as well as the Medina and San Antonio rivers. In addition, the city will begin land acquisitions and trail construction in new locations, such as the Westside Creeks, major tributaries and connections between existing trails. People from all walks of life have the opportunity to reap health- and fitness benefits from multi-use trails. “These trails offer unique recreational opportunities for our citizens and visitors,” says Special Project Manager Brandon Ross, who oversees the Linear Creekway Program for the parks and recreation department. “The program also helps to preserve property during significant flood events. It’s been extremely well-received by our citizens with trails getting steady use from the moment they’ve been opened to the public.”
