City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (210) 207-8590 (park police)

Address: 3910 N. St. Mary’s St.

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Description: Located 2 miles north of downtown, this is the granddaddy of San Antonio’s parks; if you have time for only one park visit, this is the one. The sprawling 343-acre facility is home to the San Antonio Zoo (3903 N. St. Mary’s St.; 210-734-7184), widely considered one of the best zoos in the nation. Housed in a former rock quarry, the zoo spans 35 acres and holds the distinction of being the only zoo in the country to exhibit the endangered whooping crane. For more on the zoo, see the Attractions chapter.The park also has many other special features, including a miniature railroad (3810 N. St. Mary’s St.; 210-735-7455) that runs 2.5 miles through the park. The train is a replica of an 1863 C. P. Huntington steam locomotive.Brackenridge Park also has plenty of shady picnic areas, swings and slides, and green space for play. One of the park’s most beautiful areas is the Japanese Tea Garden (3853 N. St. Mary’s St.; 210-207-PARK). San Antonio’s semitropical climate encourages the lush flowers, climbing vines, and tall palms found inside this quiet, serene place. The ponds, with beautiful rock bridges and walkways, are home to numerous koi (large goldfish). For more information on the gardens, see the Attractions chapter.The history of this swath of land dates back far earlier than its days as a park. Archaeologists have unearthed proof that this region has been visited by human beings for more than 11,000 years. A few centuries ago, the Spanish settlers in the region used the river here to feed their acequias (irrigation ditches). One of these ditches, the Upper Labor acequia, can still be seen at the zoo.This region remained largely uninhabited, however, until the mid-19th century. After the Civil War, the local rock quarry enjoyed a booming business, thanks to the discovery that its limestone could be used to manufacture cement.In 1866 George W. Brackenridge came to San Antonio from Austin; he and his mother later began to purchase riverfront property. A few decades later, Brackenridge developed a waterworks system to supply the city with artesian spring water. Eventually he donated nearly 200 acres to the city for use as a public park. Brackenridge Park was born.Development of the park began almost immediately. A zoo was built, incorporating old quarry walls and an old tannery site. Later came a public golf course, designed by A. W. Tillinghast of Philadelphia. This was the state’s first public golf course. In 1917 work began on the Japanese Tea Garden, also in the abandoned quarry. Prison laborers created the lush gardens, and local residents donated the plants. The Witte Museum was built on the northeast edge of the park in 1926, and during the Great Depression several public works projects were completed in the park. Today Brackenridge Park remains much as it was 50 years ago.