San Antonio Parks Foundation presents Outside For All: Co-Creating Community In Urban Parks

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Parks Foundation

San Antonio Parks Foundation, in partnership with the City of San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department, will present the 4th Annual Outside For All, an outdoor celebration of the diverse outdoor recreation and green space opportunities in the community.

The theme for 2023 is "Co-Creating Community In Urban Parks" with a keynote address by former U.S. Housing & Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros focusing on the role of government funding in creating and supporting dynamic public green spaces.

Round table discussions will be open to all park users, facilitated by topic experts will follow the keynote address. Representatives from each round table will give a summary of their discussion along with suggested solutions. Closing remarks will be given by San Antonio Parks Foundation Board Member and Outside For All Event Chair, Brandon A. Logan.

Brackenridge Park Conservancy Facebook

San Antonio's Brackenridge park receives highest honor with new designation

A PARK WITH A LEGACY

San Antonio’s Parks and Recreation has earned the recognition it deserves for their outstanding programming and a special historic park. The Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) presented the department with two prestigious awards during their annual conference in Frisco, Texas.

The Lonestar Recreation Programming Achievement Award was the first award the city took home. The recognition is for SeaPerch, San Antonio’s underwater robotics program that connected 150 young participants to STEM fields at nine community centers all around the city. The RoboNation-partnered program was offered simultaneously with the department’s Summer Youth Program. Members were able to construct “underwater remotely operated vehicles” by studying basic engineering, design, and science.

The second achievement the city received was TRAP’s designation of Brackenridge Park as a Lone Star Legacy Park. Brackenridge is a 349-acre public park located just north of downtown. The classification is one of the highest distinctions that could be granted to a park. Brackenridge received the designation thanks to its exceptional prestige and history in the state and local community.

To qualify for a Lone Star Legacy Park designation, parks must be at least 50 years old and fulfill one of the following requirements:

It has a distinctive design and/or construction.
It’s associated with historic events or sites.
It’s hosts local community or state-specific events.
It has unique natural characteristics.

Three San Antonio parks also have Lone Star Legacy Park designations: San Pedro Springs Park (2012), Travis Park (2015), and Woodlawn Lake Park (2018). Six other parks in addition to Brackenridge Park received the prestigious designations for 2023.

The full list of Lone Star Legacy Park winners can be found at traps.org.

Teletextile/ Facebook

Local artist floods San Antonio with two water-inspired performances

THE SHAPE OF WATER

From Lake Elmendorf to the River Walk, San Antonians are blessed with a surplus of beautiful waterways. Now a local composer is augmenting their visual appeal with a free series of sonic art performances in collaboration with the City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture.

According to a release, Alamo City sound artist Pamela Martinez will bring the happenings to two San Antonio dams in March. A Reiki master and educator putting out work as Teletextile, Martinez has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. National publications such as The Atlantic and the New York Times have lauded her densely layered soundscapes.

Martinez works with a revolving crew of collaborators to execute the events, creating “sound and ceremony” designed for specific sites. The San Antonio performances will explore “water as a carrier of culture throughout the city.”

The first two-act production will occur at Lake Elmendorf's 19th Street Dam on March 4 at 5 pm. The first act, “Transformation,” employs immersive staging to walk the audience into the dam's teeth. Guests are invited to contemplate the theme related to the different states of water and interpersonal development. The second act, “Our Power Together,” features an original score with percussion, horns, and choral elements.

“When I look at a dam, I see an opera house,” says Martinez via a release. “The majestic stage is set for the drama that is our lifeblood in the inevitable overflowing of water.”

Martinez will return for a second performance at the Roosevelt Control Tunnel Outlet Park on March 25 at 5:30 pm. The first act will reprise “Our Power Together,” staged with musicians floating on the San Antonio River in kayaks. The second act, “Flow,” encourages guests to promenade with the cast along the river up to the floating pavilion and the hidden three-mile water tunnel below.

The event will crescendo with “Dam! A Song of Water.” The composition was initially performed in October 2022 at Espada Dam in collaboration with the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The piece spotlighted the landmark and the Spanish colonial acequia system.

Both performances will last around an hour. Admission is free, but guests need to RSVP before the show. Tickets can also be upgraded by purchasing a digital download or reserved seating. Walking, however, will be a part of both events.

Participants are advised to dress appropriately for wet areas since performances will be held inside the dams and near the San Antonio River. Closed-toe or waterproof shoes with traction are encouraged. For safety reasons, the events will be rescheduled in the event of rain.

Those wanting to get a jumpstart on the performances can download a DAM! Audio Tour through geo-mapping app Echoes. The location-triggered sounds include remarks about the water’s nature, field recordings, and selections from Martinez’s work.

The Expedition School/ Facebook

Kayak and paddle board rentals make a splash at 2 San Antonio lakes

FLOAT YOUR BOAT

This spring, the fun at Elmendorf Lake and Woodlawn Lake parks is set to be a whole lot splashier. The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department has approved a license agreement for non-motorized watercraft rentals with Austin-based The Expedition School, bringing rentable canoes, single and tandem kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards to park visitors.

The newly approved agreement also incorporates programming such as adaptive paddling, health and wellness programs, camps, and professional water safety courses. Visitors can look forward to activities catering to a wide array of abilities.

Founded in Austin in 2006, the outdoor education institution devotes itself to providing its clients the best and safest quality outdoor education experiences. With its expansion to San Antonio, The Expedition School is excited to offer the same to all Alamo City residents.

That includes providing adaptive paddles for intellectually and developmentally disabled, blind and visually impaired, and deaf populations. The specialized gear attaches to watercraft to support the paddle's weight, eliminating stress on the shoulders, back, and joints. The adaptation allows people with limited strength or endurance to enjoy previously inaccessible water sports.

"We are thrilled to see people of all abilities kayaking and enjoying outdoor activities at Woodlawn Lake Park and Elmendorf Lake Park," said Homer Garcia III, Director of San Antonio Parks and Recreation, via a release.

But that's not The Expedition School's only nod to inclusivity. The two locations at Woodlawn Lake Park and Elmendorf Lake Park will also serve as outdoor schools for youth. The school's team-building events will allow groups to build camaraderie, trust, and communication skills while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the parks.

The school is also committed to environmental stewardship. Since its inception, it has picked up over 10 tons of trash and four tons of recycling in and around Austin's Lady Bird Lake. Every program The Expedition School provides is dedicated to leaving the area cleaner than it was found, ensuring that park visitors can enjoy pristine surroundings.

"The Expedition School is more than a kayak rental vendor," says Garcia. "They are community partners and environmental stewards who will provide accessible recreational opportunities and educational programming for our residents."

Though Parks and Recreation did not share a hard launch date for the rentals and programming, the action is expected to kick off this spring. Locals can keep up with developments on the Parks and Recreation website.

Photo courtesy of Bridge Projects

San Antonio River Foundation presents Bridge Projects: San Pedro Creek Culture Park Reception and Artist Talk

San Antonio River Foundation will present Bridge Projects: San Pedro Creek Culture Park Reception and Artist Talk. The event will celebrate Creek Lines with Bridge Projects artists Stuart Allen and Cade Bradshaw.

Visitors of all ages can spark their curiosity as they investigate the creek’s 300-year-old history by exploring the artwork. Remarks and artist talk will follow later in the day.

Courtesy of TPWD

Stunning new art exhibition celebrates 100 years of Texas State Parks

100 Years of Texas Parks

Texans love to get outdoors, and we're lucky to have 89 state parks, historic sites, and natural areas to explore across our great state. Totaling more than 640,000 acres, these public lands are reaching a major milestone in 2023 and one traveling exhibition is commemorating the event throughout the year.

Kicking off at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, "The Art of Texas State Parks"will honor the Centennial Celebration of Texas State Parks with a stunning visual survey of more than 30 parks. Featuring works by some of the state's most celebrated artists, the display will start at the Bullock on January 7 and run until April 30 before moving on to other cities later this year.

Several years in the making, the exhibition is the result of a collaboration between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum. H-E-B provided additional support for the project as a presenting sponsor of the Texas State Parks Centennial Celebration.

“We are grateful for the partnership that is bringing 'The Art of Texas State Parks' to museums across Texas, spreading the message about these natural treasures that belong to us all,” said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D., in a release.

In total, 30 Texas artists were commissioned to create works celebrating parks across Texas, all with the mission to increase public awareness of Texas parklands and heighten their popular appeal through their elegant and inspired works. Participating artists represent multiple regions across the state, including: DavidGriffin (Lubbock/ Dallas); Pat Gabriel, Billy Hassell, and Jim Malone (all of Fort Worth); Mary Baxter (Marfa); Charles Criner (Houston); Ric Dentinger (San Antonio/Santa Fe NM); Fidencio Duran (Austin); Brian Grimm (Fredericksburg); Clemente Guzman (San Antonio); and many more.

Along with the traveling exhibit, the project also includes a commemorative book published by Texas A&M Press, which is already available online through Texas A&M Press, the Bullock Museum Store, and Amazon. Proceeds from book sales and the sale of the artwork through Foltz Fine Art in Houston will be donated to Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation to benefit Texas State Parks.

“It was a real pleasure to see the passion these artists brought to this project, and we’re thrilled these works will be on display at prestigious museums across Texas,” said Andrew Sansom, co-author of the commemorative book and founder of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, in the release. “It is our fervent hope that these works of art will inspire present and future generations of Texans to forever appreciate and protect their parks.”

After its spring stay in Austin, the exhibit will travel to the Houston Museum of Natural Science from May 26 to October 1 before heading to the Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon from October 27 through February 18, 2024. The exhibit will also be displayed in 2024 in College Station, Albany, and Tyler.

Those looking to participate in the Centennial Celebration all year long can visit TexasStateParks.org/100years, which includes info on the ongoing partnership between Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and TPWD, as well as details about special community events taking place at state parks throughout 2023.

Courtesy of TPWD

David Caton, Blinn Trail Rapids, Garner State Park, 2019, oil on canvas, 30x30 in.

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San Antonio rent prices increased 7 percent from 2022, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. Here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. San Antonio rent prices increased 7 percent from 2022, report finds. Despite rent increases showing small improvements month-over-month, overall prices in the San Antonio area are still on the high side from the previous year.

2. Popular San Antonio doggy daycare opens new location in Alamo Ranch. The award-winning Dogtopia has gained so much love from the local community thanks to its thoughtful design approach and programming.

3. Bask in local artistry with the inaugural San Marcos Studio Tour in April. The inaugural, self-guided San Marcos Studio Tour will feature more than 50 artists all across San Marcos and the surrounding area.

4. Own a piece of Utopia with this Hill Country riverfront retreat listed for $2.5M. This secluded, tree-filled, riverfront estate boasts nine guest cabins and "the Fortress," a historic lodge that can sleep 12 guests.

5. Blockbuster Western art exhibition and sale stampedes into San Antonio. The Briscoe Western Art Museum's annual Night of Artists Exhibition and Sale returns to San Antonio March 24 through 25.

These 6 San Antonio brunch spots are worth a return visit (or two)

brunch hunches

Anyone who says magic doesn't exist clearly hasn't snagged a coveted reservation at the Box Street Social for brunch. It's one of the local spots that nails that sacred ritual, brunch with the besties: a magical experience where Monday doesn't exist and stress is forbidden.

Here are some of our top local brunch spots that'll leave both your appetite and your soul satiated (even when Monday actually hits.)

Box St. All Day
Not only does Box St. All Day look like the dreams that Instagram reels are made of, it's got a high quality menu to match, courtesy of chef and co-owner Edward Garcia III. The all-day brunch restaurant (at 623 Hemisfair Blvd, Ste 108) offers hearty options like strawberry cheesecake French toast, steak-eggs and frites (the fries alone are dangerously delicious), the Box St. Brekky sandwich made with house-made bread, and more. Pair your meal with one of its cute coffees, cocktails, or zero-proof cocktails, and save room for plenty of pictures with your brunch buddies before you leave — the details in the decor have a sophisticated feminine flair, thanks to Box Street's innovative creative director Caroline Garcia-Bowman. Reserve on Toast.

Full Belly
Tucked away in its own cozy corner of the world in the Stone Oak/1604 area is Full Belly Cafe + Bar. Where else can you order a plate of pecan pie French toast while gazing at an incredible hand-painted mural of classic animated characters like Jessica Rabbit, Marvin Martian, Stewie Griffin and more brunching together? Executive chef James Moore also serves up plenty of savory brunch options if you don't have a sweet tooth, like the pork belly benny or a baked eggs and toast plate with roasted garlic and thyme cream. Reserve at fullbellysa.com.

Ocho
Did you know that Chef Kirk of Ocho, Hotel Havana's in-house restaurant, is the only local chef to win an episode of Food Network's Chopped? Brunch at Ocho is also a photo-worthy experience, where brunch items like pan de platano (banana bread), plantain cakes con carnitas (plantain pancakes), and more are served up to guests with a side of San Antonio sunlight, given that Ocho is located in a beautiful (and air-conditioned!) glass conservatory. Reserve on Resy.

The Hayden
The Smoke Shack might be the best spot to get your brisket fix on Broadway, but The Hayden is the spot to be for brunch. You can't miss The Hayden's classic retro sign right in the center of The Boardwalk on Broadway. The interior lives up to the welcoming feel of a Jewish deli, complete with menu options from executive chef Bill Corbett like fried chicken and latke waffles, or a bagel and lox. And don't worry — if you're craving the comfort of pancakes, The Hayden's got you covered with The Hayden pancake stack, among other options. Reserve at buzztable.com.

Vegan Avenue on Main
Chef Griselda Muñoz's entirely vegan menu will make believers even out of the most dedicated meat eaters. The cinnamon roll "bettermilk" pancakes have to be tasted to be believed. (Yes, even the sweet cream in the pancake is dairy free!) If you're missing a classic breakfast sandwich but trying to stay meat-free, try Vegan Avenue's "Honee-Butter Chick'n sandwich" with vegan eggs and crispy, fried plant-based chicken. If you're not near Vegan Avenue but craving its vegan breakfast tacos, you can also get your fix at Vegan Avenue's sister restaurant on TPC Parkway, Plantology. Reserve at squareup.com.

Barbaro
One of the best hair-of-the-dog cocktails in town is Barbaro's delicious Garibaldi, a simple concoction of Campari and orange juice, but you can't go wrong with the "Keep It Coming" Bloody Mary bar and Mimosas: For $15, you can alternate between the two until you've had your fill. Soak up Saturday night with eggs Barbaro (two poached eggs on homemade focaccia, Benton's country ham, hollandaise, and spinach) or dive into a skillet pancake (whipped lemon ricotta and seasonal berries, plus extra fine bacon, ricotta salata, and maple syrup).

The 8 best bars in San Antonio have the right mix

MEET THE TASTEMAKERS

Though it's easy to quaff a decent cocktail almost anywhere in Texas, San Antonio's watering holes offer a little something special. Maybe it's the friendliness of the patrons trading rounds with complete strangers. Maybe it's the prescience of the bartenders who know hundreds of regulars' orders. That generosity of spirit is found at almost every spot in town.

But the best of the best mix in something extra — inventive flavor profiles, enveloping atmosphere, and an "it" factor that is hard to define. But we know it when we drink it — we've seen it in all the nominees CultureMap Tastemaker Award for Bar of the Year perhaps too many times.

So, we salute the unassuming dive bars, the swanky lounges, and happy hour haunts. Alamo City wouldn't be half as fun without them. Join us in raising a glass to our finalists below, then pop a cork as we name the winner at the Jack Guenther Pavilion at the Briscoe Museum on May 18. Buy tickets now before they sell out.

Amor Eterno
It's there in the name. This Southtown lounge delivers everlasting romance courtesy of velvet curtains, fuchsia lighting, and orchids languishing on the edge of coupes. The atmosphere gets a little steamier after a couple Bella Noche shots. Suddenly, disco thumps through the speakers, inamoratos file in, and the back booth becomes the most inviting spot in Alamo City.

Bar Loretta
At many upscale restaurants, the cocktail menu is an afterthought. List a serviceable Old Fashioned, add a martini, and call it a day. Not so at this endearing Southtown spot. Though guests can certainly swan with a Gatsby-era Mint Julep, the originals really bring the fireworks. A Lucinda Williams homage, Junebug vs. Hurricane, balances strawberries with Peychaud's bitters. Mariachi Static burns the house down with a dash (or three) of hot sauce.

George's Keep
The three-martini lunch may be a thing of the past, but still, the Éilan Hotel's resident bar knows how to get down to business. Leather banquettes and hunter-green wainscoting set the scene for some hard bargaining of what patrons will order next. Heady tipples like George's signature mix of VSOP Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon keep the deals flowing, even if they are just on Ameritrade.

Hotel Havana - Havana Bar and Ocho
This artfully designed downtown property knows a thing or two about chiaroscuro. The darkness comes from the dimly lit basement at Havana Bar, where peccadillos slink into the shadows. Blazing light illuminates Ocho upstairs, refracted through the turquoise accented panes of a glass conservatory. All revelers have to do is follow their mood.

La Ruina
In a tequila-obsessed town, this East Side hideaway has made a name by focusing on rum. Former Modernist owners Gerry Shirley and Olaf Harmel stir up a vacation's worth of concoctions, from tiki classics like Mai Tais to Brazilian bombshells like Caipirinhas. Steal the tropically wallpapered booth if you can get it. Rum was meant for languor.

Pastiche
Don't be surprised if you see the occasional cat slumbering at this louche East Side bar. Felines know a thing or two about posh surrounds. Guests will purr just as loudly over co-owner Benjamin Krick's sly barcraft. The back bar is an apothecary stocked with hard-to-find European spirits, cordials, and fortified wines — all used in some of the most unexpected cocktails in the city.

The Moon's Daughters
Perched atop the glittering Thompson Hotel, this rooftop lounge is usually recommended for the breathtaking downtown view. The interior offers just as much scenery. San Antonio's see-and-be-seen set sprawl on the luxe furniture, sipping CBD-infused cocktails and nibbling Mediterranean bites. The hospitality program isn't all just for show, of course, but it never hurts to gild the lily.

Three Star Bar
As much fun as it is to clink Baccarat, most days, we'd rather crush cans. For a weekday drink, it's hard to beat the wood-paneled slump of a neighborhood bar. This Grayson Street dive lets guests loosen their belts over craft beers and shots. The new ownership — Los Angeles-based Pouring With Heart — tinkered a bit with the drink menu but kept the meat and potatoes.

Photo by TX Troublemaker

It's all about love at Amor Eterno

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