380 Acres of Scenic Open Space Protected Forever
Texas Land Conservancy has completed the permanent protection of 380 acres in San Antonio, known as the Espada Tract.
This new conservation easement protects the scenic open space views along 2.2 miles of the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System. This includes 1.6 miles along the San Antonio River and surrounds the 40-acre Cassin Lake.
As you can see from the map, this trail section plays a significant role in linking the Medina River Greenway System to the San Antonio River Walk and Mission Reach trails which now allows anyone to hike or bike from Brackenridge Park to Medina River Natural Area without leaving the trail. As often seen along San Antonio's growing 82-mile trail network, these trails wouldn’t be possible without traversing private lands. With the completion of this conservation easement, trail and river users can be assured that this private land will always be wild and beautiful.
In addition to protecting the natural character surrounding the public resources, the beautiful Cassin Lake, native shrubland, and riparian bottomland forest areas throughout the property serve as refuge for resident and migratory wildlife. Birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians are no strangers to this property. Take a hike along the trail the Medina River Greenway between Hwy 281 and Mission Espada to see for yourself! Interpretive signs along the trail share fun information about wildlife, watersheds and hydrology, and some of this tract’s storied past including William Cassin, the lake’s namesake, and the historical acequias (Spanish irrigation system).
Come celebrate this exciting conservation success with us at Alamo Brewing Company on Saturday, August 6th! The brewery will be donating $1 per beer to TLC all day long and there will be a Texas Nature Lotería from 6-9pm!
Espada Tract circled in red above — click the image to zoom into this photo and click here to zoom out to see the full map from San Antonio Parks and Recreation (Espada is not labeled).
