PARK NEWS

$1.2 million boost brings new playgrounds to aging Bexar County park

Macdona Plaza Park is located just outside Loop 1604.

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Macdona Plaza Park is about to get a fresh new look, with upgraded sports courts, a skate park, shady picnic spots, and revamped playgrounds — all part of a bigger effort to breathe new life into this beloved southwest San Antonio gathering place.

The project is being funded in part by $1.2 million from the federal Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) program. That money was redirected to Bexar County Parks and Recreation to support the broader redevelopment effort, which carries a total estimated cost of $6,979,978, according to filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Covering 9.4 acres, the work is scheduled to begin on September 30, 2025, with completion expected by September 30, 2026.

Alongside the recreational upgrades, the plan includes ADA-compliant sidewalks, expanded parking, water and electrical service connections, landscaping, dog waste stations, and pet-friendly water fountains. A Bexar County Parks and Recreation spokesperson noted the work is part of a countywide parks master plan that tailors improvements to the needs of each community.

According to a county project brief, illegal dumping has been a persistent issue at Macdona Plaza Park, but officials hope the renovation will inspire greater community pride and more consistent public use.

In a press release, Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores, who represents Precinct 1, described the project as a meaningful investment in neighborhood quality of life. The renovation is pending final approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with a public comment period expected to open soon.

Macdona Plaza Park is located at 9900 Third St in Macdona, a tiny, unincorporated community southwest of San Antonio. Although not technically part of the city, the town sits just outside Loop 1604, and the park serves San Antonio residents.

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TRAFFIC ALERT

Flooding and protests prompt road closures across San Antonio

Car driving through flooded road after storm

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San Antonio drivers, prepare for some frustrating delays this weekend. Flash flooding has closed several Alamo City roads, and downtown closures are likely as the city prepares for a large No Kings protest in Travis Park on June 14.

In the early hours of Thursday, June 12, San Antonio was hit with its heaviest rain in more than a decade. The deluge continued after the sun rose, with the National Weather Service issuing flash flood warnings that extend until 7 pm. The San Antonio Fire Department responded to dozens of high-water emergencies, and at least four locals have been confirmed dead.

The estimated three to eight inches of rainfall have wreaked havoc on local roadways. Although some routes have been cleared, more than 20 roads remain barricaded per a Public Work Department map. The closures are primarily in the northern reach of San Antonio and include stretches of busy thoroughfares like Bitters Road, Culebra Road, Wurzbach Parkway, and Vance Jackson.

The rain also forced the temporary closure of several city and Bexar County parks, including Camino Coahuilteca, Comanche 1 and 3, Covington Park, Pletz Park, River Front Parkway, Rodriguez Park, and Woodlake Park. The San Antonio River Authority is urging locals to use caution when traversing trails.

Although forecasts call for a slight chance of thunderstorms June 13-14, the worst of the rainfall appears to have passed the San Antonio area. There’s only a slight chance that precipitation will hit crowds participating in the anti-Trump No Kings protest held from 5-8 pm at downtown Travis Park.

The city’s weekly downtown street and lane closure report does not list any special permits for the protest, but there are likely to be disruptions in the area. Activists reportedly took to the street on Wednesday, June 11, and are expected to remain active through Saturday’s rally. There was no violence reported.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg cautioned restraint in a June 10 tweet.

“The reports of the Governor deploying the National Guard to our community underscore the need for us to remain peaceful and safe this weekend,” he wrote.

This is a developing story.

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