Government Canyon opens to the public October 15

Government Canyon State Natural Area, the new and glorious state park just outside San Antonio that we have been anticipating for many years now, has an official opening date. And it's only a few weeks away: October 15.

The public is invited to come out for the grand opening of Government Canyon State Natural Area. The 8,622-acre Government Canyon State Natural Area, which has been accessible only on a limited basis for special events and volunteer opportunities, will open the gates to the public on a daily basis starting Saturday, October 15, 2005. The natural area straddles the Balcones Fault in far northwest San Antonio only 16 miles from downtown. Come visit the new Visitors Center, which includes a well-stocked state park store and interpretive exhibit hall, picnic and explore the natural area's nearly 40 miles of trails; call for more information, (210) 688-9055. (210) 688-2208.

I wrote about Government Canyon back in May, when its previous opening date (never officially promoted) in June was postponed. It's a fabulous place to get back in touch with nature, especially for San Antonians who won't have to drive for hours to get there. The B and B team has been going out there periodically since 2001 to volunteer helping build trails, so it won't be new to us, but finally everyone will be able to enjoy it. And finally we will be able to enjoy it without having to put in a few hours of hard labor (albeit very worthwhile labor).

Many thanks are due to the many years (or decades in some cases) of work by numerous activists and public employees that have protected this beautiful natural area so near to the encroaching sprawl of San Antonio.

Comments

[Mike Thomas]

Wow! I didn't realize this place was so close to us. Thanks for pointing it out. We will be making lots of trips there in the future.

[Peter]

Cool!

[Lene]

I found your blog through the Bird Carnival and am thrilled to see a hillcountry update. I used to live in Boerne. Great to hear about this new park. San Antonio is a beautiful area, and I'm glad to hear there's one more place to enjoy less sprawl and more nature in Texas (like you said, public spaces are not a financial priority). :) I loved walking at the Cibolo Nature Center. If you haven't ventured out there, you might enjoy it too. Count me in as one of your new regulars.

[Peter]

Welcome, Lene! It's great to have a reader in Vermont (as I gather from your site).

We lived in Boerne ourselves for a year of so back in the late 1990s, and still live just down the road, so we are quite familiar with Cibolo Nature Center. It is indeed a special place, and one I've been remiss in not writing about.