Manicured Parks in San Antonio - Courtesy www.penick.net

The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department operates nearly 190 city-owned parks and recreational areas offering to both tourists and residents a great feeling of enjoying huge open spaces. The designing of these natural surroundings has immensely added to the vivacity of the city environment. The creatively manifested elements allow for airy openness, lush foliage, beautiful designing and an unsurpassed ambiance that envelopes the city in its fold to breathe easy – literally!

If you happen to be keen on walking, biking, golf or just simply enjoying the pleasure of being out in the open you’re going to find San Antonio a wonderful place to be in. The city has numerous parks all over the place from downtown to the city suburbs. From Hemispark in downtown to the humongous peripheral park lands – all are meticulously maintained not only by the city authorities but also by the county, state and even the national government!

You just need to step out to allow your senses to rejuvenate in the calming and pleasant atmosphere of the parks that are always around you. Maybe just a short distance away. Outdoor activities in San Antonio give you the opportunity to appreciate nature, that has been allowed to thrive in the carefully nurtured environs. The good thing is that most of the local parks and recreation facilities are free or have just a small admission fee. The Parks and Recreation Department oversees and maintains more than 14,500 acres of grounds and open spaces.

You may tour the San Antonio Botanical Garden for a bit of nature or you might like a visit to San Antonio Missions National Historical park for some intriguing history. But in case you would also like some fauna along with the flora then the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, the SeaWorld Adventure Park, or the San Antonio Zoological Gardens and the Aquarium should be your route to have you enjoying the animal world. Also if you are here with your family then your outing should have you taking the kids out to the rides at the Six Flags Fiesta Texas or Splashtown.

Sports enthusiasts should go in the direction of the city’s more than 40 training greens and golf courses. You could enjoy miniature golf and even ice skating thats available at the Ice & Golf Center at Northwoods. For more outdoor activities in San Antonio you could go on a river cruise or even take a walking tour of the city. With some great many tours you could opt for the more standard San Antonio City Tours which allows you to see the city from a trolley. The brave heart could possibly try Incredible Journeys on the hot air balloons or powered parachutes for a tour that takes you up to the skies.

The San Antonio Parks Foundation provides continual hand holding to the City of San Antonio’s parks system for helping to improve the quality of life for all its citizens. Since 1981 the foundation has been working closely with the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation. In addition to providing monetary support for park projects, the Parks Foundation also acquires land for dedicated park space and natural areas through the donation of land or purchase. Total land acquisition through 2008 is over 350 acres, which the City of San Antonio received at no cost.

A brief backdrop of the various gardens will depict their historical significance. San Pedro Park is the oldest park in San Antonio and the second oldest park in the US. While the popular Brackenridge Park remains San Antonio’s premier park and is home to the city zoo and the famed Japanese Tea Gardens. The Woodlawn Lake Park is a treasure trove of outdoor fun in the middle of San Antonio, while the McAllister Park is the favorite haunt of athletes who converge here.

Golfers can take recourse in the many wonderful golf courses scattered in San Antonio.The better known of these include Pecan Valley Golf Club, Quarry Golf Club, Brackenridge Municipal Golf Course, La Cantera Golf Club and the Canyon Springs Golf Club. If biking is your kind of outdoor exercise then San Antonio offers 700 Acres, Missions National Historic Park, Woodlawn Park and McAllister Park that have excellent bike trails, allowing you to follow San Antonio by bike. Of course you can also do the place on foot if you are so inclined.

Hiking and camping enthusiasts can explore their love of outdoors by following the wilderness trail in Eisenhower Park, Friedrich Park, Hill Country State Natural Area, Garner State Park or Lost Maples Natural Area or even the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. The Texas country beckons campers to enjoy the wide-open spaces of great beauty. You also have some fantastic outdoor destinations like State Parks, Lakes, Campgrounds and RV Parks in and around San Antonio that allow you to imbibe the fulsome Texan environment.

With several RV Resorts surrounding the city you could take a day off to visit San Antonio KOA or Tejas Valley or even Happy Trails on Gembler Road RV. But if a lakeside rendezvous is your idea of fun and frolic then hit the road for either the Medina, Braunig or Calaveras Lake. You will enjoy the natural outdoor setting that will make you feel refreshed and energized in no time. Well if you are game then the National Historic Park, Casa Navarro State Park or the Government Canyon State Natural Area would have you enjoying the beautiful terrain thats so typical of Texas. Government Canyon State Natural Area is an approximately 8,622-acre area in Bexar County, just outside San Antonio. The canyon is a part of the rich ranching history of Texas.

The Parks management keeps organizing periodic festivities to celebrate the seasons or special occasions. October 18 will have Medina River Natural Area Fall Fest featuring a family event where the presenters will talk on issues related to conservation concerns and much more. October 19 celebrates BOOtanica! And Fall Garden Fair. The entire family can celebrate autumn at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Kids can come dressed in Halloween costumes to participate in games, crafts other spooky activities. November 8 will see Art in the Park at Medina River Natural Area where you could join artist Susan Blaker in exploring the shape and texture of elements found in the natural world. Check out for more events online and place yourself close to the center of activities by choosing to stay right next door to the outdoors. Click on Sanantonio Hotels for choosing the right location.