Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails

Program Beginnings 1998 - Mayor Howard Peak and other Council members initiated and supported idea of creating linear parks along San Antonio creekways. 1999 - Program plan was developed, focused around San Antonio River, Salado Creek and Leon Creek City initiated sales tax initiative to fund Linear Creekway Parks and Edwards Aquifer programs in 1999 (Local Government Code, Chapter 334 Sports and Community Venues) voters approved in 2000

Program Mission & Goals Mission: Goals: To enhance the quality of life for San Antonio residents and visitors Expand recreational opportunities Preserve open space and riparian connectivity for wildlife habitat Install building blocks for comprehensive system of pedestrian and bicycle connectivity Increase effectiveness of stormwater management

Program Funding Sales Tax Revenue (1/8 cent) $110m Proposition 3 (2000) - $20m Proposition 2 (2005) - $45m Proposition 2 (2010) - $45m Project funds expended as sales tax revenue is collected (No debt issuance) Transportation Efficiency Act (TEA-21) - $4m 1999 Bond Funds - $800k 2003 Bond Funds $1.3m TOTAL FUNDING TO DATE ~ $116,000,000 (TxDOT Wurzbach Parkway funding not included)

Current Trails Program Completed and Funded Projects include approx. 86 miles along: - Leon Creek - Salado Creek - Medina River - Westside Creeks - Other waterways 5

Ultimate Trails System Future projects necessary to complete connected ring around San Antonio: Leon Creek - Pearsall Park to Medina River 12.4 miles - Lackland AFB 5.2 miles - Military Dr. to Rodriguez Park 2.4 miles Salado Creek to San Antonio River (SE side) 8.3 miles Westside Creeks 4.1 miles TOTAL estimated distance - 32.4 miles 6

Current Project Status Over 1200 acres of Creekways Property acquired to date 46 miles of trail completed to date Salado Creek 22 miles Leon Creek 17 miles Medina River 7 miles 11 miles of trail under construction Salado Creek - TxDOT 2.4 miles Huebner Creek 1.2 miles Olmos Creek -.9 miles Medina River 6.5 miles Approximately 16 miles of trail under design Leon Creek (Ingram to Military) 2.2 miles Culebra Creek 2.5 miles Huesta Creek 1.2 mile Westside Creeks 6.2 miles Salado (Ft. Sam connection) - 3.9 miles

Ongoing Project Coordination Efforts COSA Transportation and Capital Improvements Department (TCI) Contracts, Project Coordination, Stormwater Operations, etc. COSA Office of Sustainability - Bike Master Plan update COSA Intergovernmental Relations Federal Interface Alamo Area MPO Planning, BMAC, PMAC and TIP Bexar County Flood Control Program SAWS co-use of easements & trails CPS co-use of easements & trails VIA transit-trail connections SARA Westside Creeks trails and restoration planning SA2020 Coordination of Parks and Greenspace Initiatives TxDOT Construction and Maintenance Agreements

The Ugly: 2000

The Bad: 2004

The Good: 2012

Office of Sustainability Bike Counts

Greenway System Management Public Safety Bike & ATV patrol Trail Stewards Trail Watch Volunteers Parks Maintenance Initial cleanup (before & during construction) Ongoing trail and park land maintenance Stormwater Operations Ongoing removal of trash and woody debris (5 year cycle)

Trail Patrol (multi-level) Park Police provide law enforcement function and distribute materials at City, school, and community events The Trail Steward Program has been expanded with the mission of assisting and educating the public on the greenways Volunteer Trail Patrol Program modeled after the Neighborhood Watch Program (in collaboration with Park Police) 17

Trail Safety and Etiquette Campaigns Two Phases: 1) Trail Safety Rolled out beginning June 7 (National Trails Day) 2) Trail Etiquette - September 20 roll-out (Hardberger at 10am) Promotional items at Parks and Recreation Events Media - Social Media, Radio, TV, B-Cycle station postings, etc. Coordination with SARA on San Antonio River Trails 18

Trail Safety/Etiquette Signage Be Courteous, Share the Trail signage at trailheads Stay Right, Pass on Left. Bikes Yield to Pedestrians has been placed at signs installed along the trails Center stripe and Caution/Slow Down signage at blind curves Warning signage as appropriate ( Trail Narrows and Creek Crossing Ahead for example). Incorporation of signage into new trail projects 19

Other Trail Safety/Etiquette Items Trail shoulder mowing has been expanded from 2-ft to 4-ft 911 Locator added to mile and quarter mile markers Associated coordination with ITSD/SAFD for 911 dispatch system. Interactive Greenway Companion for children Office of Sustainability 20

Leon Creek Greenway

Salado Creek Greenway

Medina River Greenway

Leon Creek Greenway