May 2012 - Parks & Recreation - 14

Who, What, Where & how Around the Parks

Rural Paddling Trails-Reconnecting
People with their River

The Mission Reach-Reviving an
Urban Ecosystem
For many years, the aesthetics and recreational amenities of the river beyond the
River Walk attracted few tourists and recreation enthusiasts. During the 1960s, a massive channelization project was completed
to manage flooding that plagued downtown San Antonio. This project straightened
the river and removed vegetation from the
flood plain to facilitate flood water conveyance. For decades, the channel has done
its job of protecting downtown from devastating floods. However, it turned the river
into little more than a drainage ditch with
scarce aquatic and riparian habitat.
These conditions also created substantial barriers to river recreation. The historic
River Walk contains many " street connections " where pedestrians can easily access
the river. These connections were nonexistent elsewhere on the river. Furthermore,
there were no trails to aid river recreation.
After years of careful planning, including extensive public input from area
stakeholders, a concept for the Mission
Reach was developed. In 2007, ground
was broken on the eight-mile, $245 million project funded primarily by the Bexar County Visitor's Tax. SARA serves as
project manager during the construction
phase. After completion in 2013, SARA
will oversee operations and maintenance of the Mission Reach. Two miles of
the project are already open to the public
and under SARA's care.
The project seeks to achieve several
key goals:
■■  Restoring the damaged ecosystem:
The project is transforming eight miles of

12	

Parks & Recreation   M A Y

degraded river into a quality riparian and
aquatic ecosystem. In total, approximately
334 acres of riparian ecosystem are being restored, with more than 60 native
grass and wildflower species and more
than 20,000 native trees and shrubs being
planted. Maintenance of the project also
includes the substantial task of removing
non-native invasive plant species. During
one week in August 2010, crews removed
over three tons of weeds from the project.
Clearly, managing non-native species on
the Mission Reach will be a significant focus of long-term maintenance.
■■  Fostering increased recreation on the
river: The Mission Reach adds a variety of
sorely needed recreation opportunities, including eight street connections, more than
15 miles of trails, many benches and picnic
tables, and four pavilions. Pedestrians and
cyclists have already begun to use the open
portions of trail, and fishing is also increasing in popularity. Bird-watching is becoming more popular as bird species absent
in the area for many years are returning.
SARA hopes to introduce paddling in future
phases of the project.
■■  Restore the bonds between the historic San Antonio missions and the river:
San Antonio is famous for the Alamo, but it
is also home to four more historic Spanish
Colonial missions situated in the National
Park Service's San Antonio issions National Historical Park. During Spanish Colonial
times, the missions were strategically located on and relied on the river. The Mission Reach Project is creating four " Mission
Portals " that will visually tie the river to the
missions through art installations and interpretive signage. These portals will also
encourage visitors to wander up the trails
to visit the missions and enjoy their unique
cultural and recreational activities.

2 0 1 2    w w w . N R P A . O R G

In Texas, navigable rivers and streams
are publicly owned either by the State
of Texas, or, rarely, by other public entities designated by the state legislature.
Public ownership is good news for paddlers who want to experience rivers in the
state. However, since 97 percent of land in
Texas is privately owned, access can be
a problem. The Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department (TPWD) initiated the Texas
Paddling Trail Program in 2006 to aid the
public with river access. This effort builds
partnerships between local and regional
agencies and TPWD to establish sustainable paddling opportunities. The successful program has grown to include 27
designated inland paddling trails, as well
as eight coastal paddling trails.

Take Away Lesson
Much like planning and implementing a successful paddling trip, there are some fundamental elements that resulted in the success
of these public projects and programs.
■■  Partnerships and collaboration-gathering resources, knowledge, and strength.
■■   Planning and flexibility-anticipating all possibilities, adapting to change when needed.
■■  Landscape perspective-braiding together the multiple values of environmental stewardship, outdoor education,
wellness activities, recreation, and economic development.
In conclusion, SARA believes that facilitating public access to and use of the San
Antonio River will lead to enhanced public appreciation and long-term support for
sustaining and enriching natural resources in the river's watershed. 
Dale Bransford, CPRP, CIG is
NRPA Park Resources Network Leader and
Park Services Department Manager, San
Antonio River Authority.
Laura Waldrum, MPA , is
Community Relations Coordinator for the
San Antonio River Authority.



May 2012 - Parks & Recreation

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