The Bexar County Commissioners approved more than $25 million to design and construct two new Leon Creek Greenway trail extensions.
Lisa Krantz /Staff photographer
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Priscilla Aguirre
The Howard Peak Greenway Trail System is a growing network of paved multi-use trails connected to many parks in the city. The Greenway trails wind through natural landscapes along many of San Antonio's waterways including Salado Creek, Leon Creek, Medina River, and the Westside Creeks. The city-wide system was spearheaded by former Mayor Howard W. Peak.
One of the segments approved will be a five-mile trail along Leon Creek from Interstate 35 to Highway 16, with a connection to Spicewood Park, Collen Brownlow, an engineer with the San Antonio River Authority, shared during the commissioners' court meeting on Tuesday, May 2. The budget for the project is $15 million.
The second segment will run three miles between Dora Jordan Trailhead at Military Drive to Rodriguez Park. That trail connection received $9.6 million.
During the meeting, the San Antonio River Authority staff said the $25 million estimate is based on the cost spent on other past projects similar to the trail connections. Commissioner Grant Moody (Precinct 3) shared his opinions on how investment in trails could go to other priorities in the county.
Commissioner Justin Rodriguez (Precinct 2) defended the projects, reminding the court about the commitment Bexar County made with the City of San Antonio to completing the ring and bringing more trail connections to the Southside.
"I feel very strongly that we continue our commitment, not just to the spirit of partnership, but also to the citizens of our county," Rodriguez said. "These are great and they're utilized."