South San Antonio News

San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The grant will be used to fund the Cassiano Park Revitalization Project on the city's historic West Side.

The application from San Antonio Parks and Recreation received the highest score among all submissions and was among a small group of Texas cities awarded the maximum funding. The grant is a testament to the advocacy and support of the West Side community, neighborhood leaders, City Council, and State leadership.

Homer Garcia III, Director of Parks and Recreation, expressed his gratitude for the grant, saying, "Today's action represents the advocacy by our West Side community, neighborhood leaders, City Council, City leadership, and State leadership who came together to support a shared vision for the future of Cassiano Park."

The Cassiano Park Revitalization Project has already received $3.75 million through a 2022 municipal bond package. With the additional $1.5 million from the TPWD Local Park Grant Program, the project is set to have a significant impact on the Cassiano Park community. The Department of Arts & Culture will also be involved in the project, working on a public art installation at the park.

The main goal of the project is to increase outdoor recreational opportunities at Cassiano Park, which is a 2.89-acre linear park located along the Westside Creeks section of the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System. The park currently offers amenities such as a pool, two playgrounds, a pavilion, picnic sites, a covered basketball court, restroom buildings, and a trailhead connection.

Public input meetings were held to gather feedback from the community, and this feedback played a crucial role in shaping the project's priorities. These priorities include increased recreational aquatics accessibility for park visitors of all abilities, preservation of the park's cultural and historic significance, providing opportunities to experience nature in an urban park setting, and ensuring equitable access to high-quality parks and recreational opportunities for historically marginalized communities.

The final design for the Cassiano Park Revitalization Project is expected to be completed by Fall 2024, with construction set to begin in Spring 2025. This project will not only enhance the park but also contribute to the overall well-being and quality of life for the Cassiano Park community and the city of San Antonio as a whole.