DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Homer Garcia III, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on the Westside Creeks Greenway Trails and Westside Creeks Ecosystem Restoration Project
SUMMARY:
Briefing on the Westside Creeks Greenway Trails and Westside Creeks Ecosystem Restoration Project.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Westside Creeks Project is a community-based creek restoration effort started in 2008 by the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) focused on improving the Alazán, Apache, Martinez, Zarzamora and San Pedro Creeks. Its mission is: 1) to develop and advance planning concepts for restoring the environmental condition of these creeks; 2) to enhance or maintain their current flood control components; and 3) to provide increased opportunities for community enjoyment.
In partnership, the City of San Antonio and San Antonio River Authority collaborate to construct trails along the Westside Creeks. SARA serves as project manager for these trail segments with the City providing funding through the 2010 and 2015 Proposition 2 Sales Tax Initiative - Parks Development and Expansion Venue Project. These linear creekway hike and bike trails are part of the larger Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System. Currently, there are 81 miles of greenway trail completed across 4 major greenway trail systems - Leon, Salado, Medina River and the Westside Creeks.
The San Antonio Channel Improvement Project was initially developed in 1954 as a plan for flood protection of the Guadalupe and San Antonio rivers. In 2000, this project was modified to include ecosystem restoration and recreation as authorized project purposes. In 2011, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers selected a Westside Creeks Ecosystem Restoration Study to be included in a National Pilot Program aimed at improving the Corps’ project feasibility study process.
The proposed Westside Creeks Ecosystem Restoration Project will restore 11 miles of creeks while maintaining flood control capacity, providing increased access to health and recreational opportunities, and bringing economic benefits to nearby communities.
ISSUE:
This briefing highlights the Westside Creeks Greenway Trails System and the Westside Creeks Ecosystem Restoration Project.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.