San Antonio’s waterways have been transformed yet again, folks. A bunch of stakeholders, San Antonio River Authority workers, and park enthusiasts gathered at Ruby City for the grand opening of the final part of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park. This park stretches about 2.2 miles, running parallel to I-35 from north to south. Derek Boese, the General Manager of the San Antonio River Authority, expressed his excitement about completing the park and welcomed everyone to the celebration.
Former Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff shared that the history of San Pedro Creek and the spring it originated from is more significant than many realize. Apparently, the city started at this very spot in 1718, with the Presidio and the Alamo nearby. Wolff played a crucial role in getting the project started, emphasizing that as businesses and homeowners develop around the creek, their taxes will fund the construction costs. He mentioned investing around $260 million in the project during his time as county judge, but with developments popping up along the creek, the investment seems to be paying off.
Decades ago, San Pedro Creek was nothing more than a concrete ditch with three sides, making it hard to imagine it becoming an attractive spot. However, Boese mentioned that despite initial skepticism, projects like Mission Reach and Museum Reach have proven successful in re-imagining the San Antonio River. The primary purpose of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park remains flood control, similar to Mission Reach, with an added focus on ecosystem restoration. The project involved digging the creek deeper and wider, as well as creating permeable ground on either side to absorb flood events.
Dan Green, the project manager for the park, highlighted the challenges they faced, including replacing 12 bridges along the creek’s length. He shared an anecdote about replacing the Union Pacific Bridge within a tight 75-hour window, showcasing the team’s efficiency and dedication. Despite the challenges, Green is excited to see people using the area, noting that wildlife has already started returning to the urban space.
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