City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Parks & Recreation

Address: 1415 San Pedro Ave.

Description: This is the city’s oldest designated park and in fact is one of the oldest in the country. (Only Boston Common predates it.) This land was first reserved for public use by the Spanish government in the 18th century, although history shows that the site has been used by humans for more than 12,000 years. The natural springs on the site were first named San Pedro Springs in 1709, and soon thereafter the first permanent settlement in the area was founded nearby. The Spanish later constructed an acequia to carry water from the springs into town.The cool springs and shady surrounding trees drew many visitors, and in 1852 the city established a reserve around the site. Soon pavilions were constructed to sell food and drink. In 1856 the US Army decided to stable camels here as part of an experimental camel corps. A few years later, Sam Houston spoke at a rally here; later the park was used as a site for holding prisoners during the Civil War.Sadly, the springs began to dwindle when artesian wells were drilled for city use. The park was renovated in 1899, however, and again began to attract visitors. It was again renovated a century later, and in 1979 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The latest renovation, completed in 2000, retained the historical uses while restoring the landscape and structural features. The pool remains the centerpiece.