I’ve to be sincere, it’s taken me some time to wrap my mind round how I used to be going to place this submit collectively. So many parks, a lot enjoyable and helpful data, so many footage — how do you slim down from a listing of over 250 metropolis, county, state, and nationwide parks inside our metropolis limits?
And if I’m much more sincere, this submit was additionally difficult because of the questions it raised for me in a civic-minded method. Whereas evaluating and contrasting parks and facilities from totally different sides of city, it grew to become evident that we as residents can take an lively position in advocating for and bettering our park land and inexperienced areas. For me, this information-gathering has created alternatives for dialog with pals and colleagues. Merely put, it’s a high quality of life matter.
The Metropolis of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Division gives so many companies to the group, it’s inconceivable to seize all of it right here. I’m hoping to write down different posts quickly that contact on that breadth and depth. Nevertheless, I encourage you to examine their web site intently. Scan the lists, calendars, and maps, and maintain observe of their social media shops. Just like the MySAPL app from the San Antonio Public Library, I’m hoping the parks division will launch a cell app quickly that may assist individuals discover space parks, facilities, and actions.
At the moment on the Metropolis of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Division’s web site, you need to use the Discover a Park instrument to seek for parks by location, amenity (canine park, bicycle path, skate park, swimming pool, softball fields, and so on.), and even council district.
What I’ve found is that parks in San Antonio appear to come back in packages of playgrounds, athletic fields and courts, health stations, trails, a pool, perhaps even a group/schooling heart, and so on. With this submit, I’ve tried to pick out parks which have an attention-grabbing mixture of facilities and perhaps one thing attention-grabbing on website or within the space to attract you there. As well as, I encourage you to get exterior of your consolation zone and discover your metropolis.
So within the phrases of Dr. Scott the paleontologist from Dinosaur Prepare: “Get exterior, get into nature, and make your personal discoveries!”
Phil Hardberger Park
13203 Blanco Street, 78216 (East) & 8400 NW Army Hwy, 78230 (West)
It might seem to be everybody is aware of about Hardberger Park because it was a fairly large deal when it opened in 2010. The park sits on both facet of Wurzbach Parkway with entrances on Blanco Street (East) and Northwest Army Freeway (West). These two parks join with a land bridge, that crosses over Wurzbach Parkway which permits for foot, stroller, and bike crossing. On the west facet, you’ll discover a partly shaded playground for youthful and older children, a soccer discipline, basketball courts, a canine park, unpaved trails, public artwork, and the City Ecology Heart. On the east facet, there are extra play areas and trails, a canine park, out of doors classroom, and the Voelcker Homestead.
Park Perk: Nature Training Packages
Hardberger Park has no scarcity of programming for all ages of scholars, together with homeschoolers. My son and I’ve attended courses on each side of the park. I’ll warn you although, the weekday packages refill quick so you want to be pay shut consideration to the occasions calendar and when registration opens. Loads of packages additionally happen on Saturdays and don’t require registration.
McAllister Park
13102 Jones-Maltsberger, 78247
McAllister Park covers 976 acres and is positioned a few mile from North East ISD’s Blossom Athletic Heart. This park is big, so that you may wish to take a drive by way of it to get acquainted. Playgrounds and pavilions are positioned all through the park, in addition to soccer and baseball fields and loads of mountaineering and biking trails.
Park Perk: Kite Pageant
Every year, the San Antonio Parks Basis hosts the Fest of Tails Kite Pageant and Canine Truthful. It will get busy shortly, so I extremely advocate you get there early.
Orsinger Park
12230 Huebner Street, 78230
In case your children go to Passion Center Faculty, you’re most likely conversant in this park because it’s simply down the highway. This park has a enjoyable playground space for little ones with a not too long ago put in cushion ground. You may additionally contemplate renting the big pavilion (plus kitchen with barbeque) for a household occasion. Considered one of our ACM mothers additionally famous that she loves the clear loos at this park.
Park Perk: Sandbox
Walker Ranch Historic Landmark Park
12603 West Avenue, 78216
Recently, Walker Ranch has been the park my household frequents probably the most, and it at all times amazes me how busy it will get. Generally you may even see vehicles parked within the entrance grass. There are play areas for youthful and older children, timber to climb, and plus a lot of shade and paved trails for operating, strolling, and biking.
Park Perk: Airplanes Overhead
This park is positioned proper beneath a flight path of the San Antonio Worldwide Airport. I don’t find out about your children, however my son by no means will get uninterested in watching airplanes overhead.
Friedrich Wilderness Park
21395 Milsa Street, 78256
This park is out previous Fiesta Texas simply off IH-10. No playground right here, however loads of mountaineering trails for all ability ranges. It’s also referred to as an incredible spot for chook watching. Friedrich Wilderness Park is definitely a nesting website for 2 endangered species of birds, the black-capped vireo and the golden-cheeked Warbler. Maggie’s bought some nice suggestions for family-friendly mountaineering at Friedrich and several other different parks in and across the San Antonio space.
Park Perk: Nature Training Packages
Loads of kid-friendly/kid-focused academic programming is obtainable all year long and open to the general public. Find out about ecosystems, timber, bugs, birding, and so on. Some packages require RSVP, so make sure to examine the fosana.org calendar to enroll.
Eisenhower Park
“That is my households favourite park to discover since you by no means know what you’ll discover on the mountaineering paths. Climbing to the highest of the tower and searching over San Antonio and Camp Bullis is such a stupendous view. We love stopping on the finish to do a household climbing problem on the rock wall” –Anastasia
Ensure you try the indicators posted by way of out the paths to share about their chook and bat homes, plus the warnings for the assorted wild creatures chances are you’ll encounter by way of the paths.
Park Perk: Go to the Seed Library and begin rising your personal native crops and meals! At harvest time, return saved seeds to assist others develop, too.
Roosevelt Park
330 Roosevelt, 78210
Within the downtown/Southtown space, you’ll discover this cool park sitting proper subsequent to the San Antonio River. There are two playground areas for various ages, a basketball court docket, and a big climbing wall. The general public swimming pool is open in the course of the summer season months. The park additionally has an incredible air-conditioned clubhouse obtainable to hire for occasions. We virtually had my child bathe at this facility, but it surely was booked.
Park Perk: Mission Attain and San Antonio BCycle
Mission Attain is an ecosystem restoration and recreation mission just like the Museum Attain, each of that are a part of the San Antonio River Enhancements Venture. Whilst you’re there trying out the brand new views and paths, hire a motorbike from San Antonio BCycle and take a journey right down to the San Antonio Missions.
Southside Lions Park
3100 Hiawatha, 78223
This park is without doubt one of the greatest in San Antonio by way of acreage. Southside Lions park has loads of facilities unfold over 600 acres, together with a group heart, tennis courts, swimming pool, a small skate park, and several other pavilions. Lions Park Lake sits proper in the course of the huge park surrounded by shade timber and populated by geese, geese, and different water fowl.
Park Perk: Neighborhood Fishin’ Program
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Division repeatedly shares the lake at Southside Lions, in addition to the close by Miller’s Pond positioned at 615 Pearsall Street. They’re stocked roughly each two weeks with rainbow trout (common dimension 10″-12″) within the winter (late November to early March) and with channel catfish (common dimension 12″) within the hotter months (Could-July and September-October). A legitimate fishing license with a freshwater stamp endorsement is required.
Pearsall Park
4700 Previous Pearsall Street, 78242
This park had a spectacular grand opening; check out my submit from June 2016. Final time my son and I went again, the park was nonetheless crammed with households (however not as packed as opening weekend) and there have been at the very least two ice cream vans set as much as assist maintain everybody cool with tasty treats.
Park Perk: Splash Pad! Take a look at our checklist of splash pads, lots of which may be present in your native parks.
Medina River Pure Space
15890 Freeway 16 South, 78264
As my pal who works for REI describes it, Medina River Pure Space is considered one of San Antonio’s best-kept secrets and techniques, however perhaps not for for much longer if individuals discover this submit helpful. She knowledgeable me which you can camp at this park year-round, so I known as the Parks division to get extra information. I used to be informed the park not too long ago opened the camp website (with six tent pads) to most people; it was once obtainable for nonprofits solely. A bunch can reserve the camp website for under $20 per evening! This inexperienced area is 511 acres with seven miles of trails, together with a illustration of El Camino Actual wagon path. I’ve learn it’s additionally an incredible place to see birds such because the inexperienced kingfisher and the painted bunting.
Park Perk: You Can Camp!
San Antonio Missions Nationwide Historic Park
Headquarters at 2202 Roosevelt Avenue, 78210
Until you’ve been residing beneath a rock, you most likely already know that the San Antonio Missions not too long ago grew to become a United Nations Instructional, Scientific and Cultural Group (UNESCO) World Heritage Web site. You will need to go to all 5 missions (San José, Concepcíon, San Juan Capistrano, Espada, and San Antonio de Valero) to know the origins of San Antonio and its individuals and the intersection of cultures and religions.
Park Perk: Each Child in a Park
Do you know that each fourth grader can get a free move to the Nationwide Parks? Take a look at the Each Child in a Park program. For an entire checklist of nationwide parks in Texas, check out this submit from a visitor blogger.
Pittman-Sullivan Park
1101 Iowa, 78203
My son and I finished by this park—one of many oldest (est. 1733) in San Antonio—on our approach to or from the close by Hays Avenue Bridge. It’s bought a small playground and health space. In 2015, the park bought some much-needed enhancements; right here’s a video that captures the group’s response to the work. I hope the Eastside will get extra park enhancements within the close to future. Because of its massive dimension and vibrant coloration, you may’t miss the general public artwork work Open Hand, Open Thoughts, Open Coronary heart by Douglas Cornfield that sits atop the park in a spot that gives an incredible view of downtown.
Park Perk: Proximity to Hays Avenue Bridge
My son is a prepare fanatic and we regularly hang around at Hays Avenue Bridge, which is nearly two miles from Pittman-Sullivan Park. One time we bought fortunate and noticed three trains in only one go to!
Lincoln Park
2915 East Commerce, 78203
Lincoln Park is conveniently located in the course of a number of group sources: a College Well being System clinic; the Barbara Jordan Group Heart; Lincoln Group Heart with an open health club, recreation room and weight room; and the Claude Black Heart, which gives a wide range of companies and likewise homes the Metropolis Council District 2 discipline workplace. There’s a small playground on website and close by basketball court docket, in addition to a group pool that’s open in the course of the summer season months.
Park Perk: Group Useful resource Facilities
Rosedale Park
303 Dartmouth, 78237
You’ve most likely heard of Rosedale Park as the positioning of a large-scale public occasion, such because the annual Tejano Conjunto Pageant hosted by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Heart. The park additionally has an enormous selection of athletic courts, fields, and amenities together with a skate park and swimming pool, plus areas for basketball, tennis, soccer, and volleyball. The Westside YMCA can also be positioned on the premises.
Park Perk: Breezy Hilltop
My husband and I attend a night occasion at Rosedale earlier this 12 months and have been shortly reminded how breezy it will get atop the hill. It’s nice approach to spend a night.
Bonnie Conner Park
13300 Woller Rd, 78249
Positioned on the Northside close to Helotes, Bonnie Conner Park is ACM editor Natalie’s native park and favourite spot. The playground was upgraded in spring 2025, with new surfacing and a shade construction to maintain the gear out of the solar and taking part in children cool — and the distinction is unimaginable!
In addition to the playground, the park boasts strolling trails (together with a straightforward, stroller/toddler pleasant 0.5 mile loop), health gear, picnic tables, a multi-purpose discipline, and a pavilion. The close by Igo Library ceaselessly hosts story time on the pavilion, too.
Park Perk: Mix a visit to the park a go to or story time on the Igo Library.
Heritage Duck Pond Park
900 Ellison Drive South, 78245
This park was beneficial in considered one of ACM’s Neighborhood Teams, so my son and I made a decision to take a drive. There are many geese across the pond, however make sure to use the meals within the machines to feed them. As we walked across the park, we discovered a playground, a coated basketball court docket, small skate park, and even a Little Free Library.
Park Perk: Little Free Library
Give a e book and take a e book. That’s the way it works: a easy idea that promotes group and literacy on the identical time.
Tom Slick Park
7400 Freeway 151, 78251
After driving out to Heritage Duck Pond Park, we determined to take a look at Tom Slick Park only a brief drive away. We didn’t get to see the pond there, however I’ve learn you may catch some first rate fish. My son did benefit from the shaded playground, after which we took a stroll to take a look at the out of doors health stations. Proper alongside the strolling path is a big canine park that was being put to good use the day we have been there. The park additionally has baseball, basketball, and soccer fields.
Park Perk: Canine Park
Woodlawn Lake Park
1103 Cincinnati, 78201
Woodlawn is a San Antonio basic. Should you haven’t been, you owe it to your self and your loved ones to spend a while attending to know the place. After I was a child, we used to play tennis at Woodlawn. You’ll often discover an ice cream truck in one of many parking heaps promoting raspas and all types of goodness. Check out Katy’s submit for extra particulars about Woodlawn.
Park Perk: Earth Day and 4th of July Celebrations
Woodlawn is a vastly in style location for public occasions, together with Earth Day, which takes place throughout Fiesta. And in the event you’re planning to look at the 4th of July fireworks on the lake, make sure to get down there early. Parking and visitors can turn into fairly a problem.
Elmendorf Lake Park
3700 West Commerce, 78207
Elmendorf Lake borders the campus of Our Girl of the Lake College and clearly has fairly a little bit of waterfront. They boast 5 stationary exercise apparatuses, swimming pool, splashpad, and you’ll fish within the lake.
Brackenridge Park
3700 North St. Mary’s Avenue, 78212
Brackenridge Park is one other San Antonio basic. In a method, it’s San Antonio’s model of New York’s Central Park. I keep in mind having a piñata social gathering beneath the timber after I was about six years previous. Whether or not it’s to go to the zoo, feed the geese, journey the prepare, or play on the playground, my son and I are sometimes at Brackenridge Park. And what child doesn’t love driving throughout the bridge with the San Antonio River flowing over? That was the best factor after I was a child. This park additionally has loads of trails and fields. It’s a particularly in style spot to camp when the Metropolis lifts the park curfew throughout Easter weekend. Brackenridge additionally has a number of nice pavilions which you can reserve for particular events. Whilst you’re within the Brackenridge space, you would additionally try the attractive Japanese Tea Backyard. Katy’s submit has particulars concerning the park’s wealthy historical past.
Park Perk: try a brand new view of Brackenridge Park and forest from the zoo prepare.
Hemisfair
434 South Alamo, 78205
That is my present favourite. I really like being downtown. You’ll be able to keep at this park after darkish and have an incredible, protected time. Yanaguana Backyard opened in October 2015 and it was an instantaneous hit. It’s centrally positioned, so individuals come from all sides of city to get pleasure from the brand new Hemisfair. What’s to not love, actually? There’s a large sandbox, accessible public artwork all through the park, splash pad, and glorious playscapes. Plus, they provide a full schedule of programming, hemisfair.org/occasions.You’ll be able to try a children’ present at Magik Theatre after which seize a deal with at Paletería San Antonio. Oh, additionally, most likely my favourite park loos in all of San Antonio. No kidding! Colourful, with stools for youths to achieve the sink, a household lavatory, and all fully ventilated. Take a look at Inga’s submit from the opening of the brand new Hemisfair in October 2015.
Park Perk: Splash Pad
San Pedro Springs Park
1315 San Pedro, 78212
San Pedro Springs Park is the oldest designated park in San Antonio. The strolling paths by way of this park are 100% accessible and permit for a shaded stroll with a stroller. Make sure you learn Katy’s submit that covers virtually all of the facilities San Pedro has to supply plus a number of the surrounding amenities.
CHRISpark
111 Camp Avenue, 78204
Located between Hemisfair and Roosevelt Park, you’ll discover this quaint, contemplative inexperienced area. An ideal cease for a picnic, studying or writing spot. Inga shared with ACMB her expertise taking her children and you’ll learn extra about what the park has to supply.
Guadalupe River State Park
3350 Park Street 31, Spring Department, TX 78070
In my thoughts, Guadalupe River State Park appeared too far of a drive. I keep in mind lengthy, early morning drives to Guadalupe for my highschool cross nation meets. However I used to be mistaken—it’s actually not unhealthy in any respect, particularly after I adopted my pal’s suggestion to take Blanco Street all the way in which there. This park is the epitome of the idyllic Texas hill nation setting. Should you’re going in the course of the summer season months, get there early: even on a weekday morning at 10 A.M. there was a line to get in, they usually cease letting individuals in as soon as the park reaches capability. Right here’s one other ACM submit about Guadalupe River State Park from just a few years in the past.
Park Perk: Simple Instructions
Simply keep on Blanco Street till you get to Park Street 31! In fact, there are different methods to get there however this one has the fewest turns.
Landa Park
164 Landa Park Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Landa Park jogs my memory of San Antonio’s Brackenridge Park, partly as a result of it additionally has a miniature prepare that runs by way of the park. Along with the paddle boats and miniature golf, there’s additionally the wading pool and Aquatic Advanced. In the course of the summer season months, the lake and water options are filled with individuals of all ages catching a break from the warmth. There’s loads to do in and round this small city to make it definitely worth the journey. Simply ask Daybreak: She wrote a enjoyable piece on adventures along with her son in New Braunfels.
Park Perk: Prepare
River Street Park
415 River Street, Boerne, TX 78006
River Street Park is a type of quintessential Boerne spots. It really runs alongside a creek—Cibolo Creek, actually—and you’ll observe the highway all the way in which to Cibolo Nature Heart; learn extra on this submit. I keep in mind going as a toddler with my grandmother to feed the geese, and now I take my son. The park was renovated in 2013 with upgrades to the sidewalks, piers, and picnic areas. It’s centrally positioned close to Principal Avenue, the place you may take a stroll to seek out a wide range of eateries, retailers, and bakeries. There’s no playground at this website, however the nature and wildlife will maintain your kiddos entertained. Pack a picnic and keep some time to absorb the small-town really feel.
Park Perk: Feeding the Geese AND Turtles
The final time my son and I went, we have been stunned to see not solely a wide range of geese and geese approaching us for meals, however turtles began swimming over from all instructions to share within the feast as effectively. It was fairly darn cute.
Garner State Park
234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838
Learn Kelly’s submit about her household’s cabin expertise at Garner, about two hours west of San Antonio.
Imagine it or not, this submit simply scratches the floor of the wonderful parks within the San Antonio space. Here’s a checklist of sources to assist mothers discover extra details about parks:
A to Z Metropolis parks itemizing
Map of San Antonio pure areas
The way to reserve a spot at a Metropolis of San Antonio park
The way to reserve a spot at a Bexar County park
The place to discover a group pool
The place to discover a health station
The place to discover a skate park
The place to discover a group heart and different amenities
The place to seek out greenway trails
The place to seek out actions for youth
The place to seek out courses/packages for all ages starting from dance to martial arts
Calendar of occasions for Metropolis of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Division
The way to volunteer at a Metropolis of San Antonio park
For Park Wonks and Fans
Getting again to the civics of parks for a minute, contemplate this: In San Antonio, there are over 240 parks managed by the Metropolis, plus others managed by Bexar County, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division, the Nationwide Park Service, and extra.
Do you know that in accordance with the 2025 Metropolis Park Details report performed by the Belief for Public Land, San Antonio has over 28,000 acres of park land throughout the metropolis limits? This may occasionally seem to be a whole lot of park land, however you’ll discover within the report that San Antonio really ranks fairly far down the checklist by way of park land per 1,000 residents. Dallas, Houston, and Austin all rank increased than San Antonio. What could also be much more shocking is the % of metropolis inhabitants with walkable park entry: For San Antonio, it’s solely 47%. Once more, Dallas, Houston, and Austin rank increased than San Antonio. The 2017 Bond included enchancment to 25 % of San Antonio Parks and Recreations.
Tell us what parks you get pleasure from!
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Initially written by Heather in 2027, and up to date by Anastasia in 2025
