San Antonio Greenways –Evolution, Successes and Lessons Learned

Brandon Ross, AICP

Friday, March 11, 2:30 pm.
Conference Room 1

In four sequential elections (2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015), San Antonio voters have approved a sales-tax that provides funding for its linear park system. Since the first segment of greenway trail was completed in 2008, 53 miles of trail has been built under the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System and many more miles are under design or construction. As the program has rapidly grown, many lessons have been learned from facing challenges such as:
1) Complexity involved in implementing a cohesive system of way-finding signage and distance markers
2) Problems encountered with trails located along creeks, such as erosion and ponding
3) Conflicts and opportunities created by streets, flood control and utility projects that cross or overlap greenway trail routes
4) Changing environmental conditions
5) Increased regulatory requirements
6) Responding to public concerns regarding trail safety and etiquette
7)Reconciling the professional approach of engineers and landscape architects in trail project design
Staff and stakeholders have also found it necessary to continually re-balance the goals of completing a city-wide circle of trails and maximizing community impact through tributary trails that provide neighborhood access.