About the Conservancy – Brackenridge Park Conservancy

About Us

Brackenridge Park Conservancy is a nonprofit park-benefit organization.

We were established in 2008 by the City of San Antonio and San Antonio Conservation Society to raise funds to preserve and enhance the park’s natural, historic, educational, and recreational resources for current and future generations.

Our Mission

The Brackenridge Park Conservancy is a steward of Brackenridge Park’s natural, historic, educational, and recreational resources and an advocate for their preservation and enhancement for the benefit of current and future generations.

We are currently working to:

Build an inclusive, nature-based playscape
Preserve and restore the Miraflores Garden
Restore, preserve, and re-imagine cultural, historic, recreational, and natural park features
Improve the water quality of the San Antonio River
Interpret the story of water in San Antonio’s history
Enhance event space
Offer free public events
Create free educational opportunities through tours, presentations, and outdoor classrooms
Elevate Brackenridge Park to the National Heritage Area designation, encompassing the San Antonio River from the Blue Hole to the San Antonio Missions

Interpret archeological and historic sites
Protect and enhance non-structured open space
Restore natural habitat and native vegetation
Stabilize and restore the 2.2 miles of river channel walls
Return appropriate water-oriented activities
Increase pedestrian access and bike lanes
Enhance interpretation and use of public art
Elevate the visibility of the Brackenridge Park reach
Coordinate volunteer efforts to clean, enhance, and activate the park.
Restore and enhance Sunken Garden Theater.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a conservancy?

A conservancy is a nonprofit park-benefit organization that fills in the gaps of public park agencies, including raising money, overseeing construction and maintenance, and developing programming.

What is The Conservancy mission?

The Brackenridge Park conservancy is a steward of Brackenridge Park's natural, historic, educational, and recreational resources and an advocate for their preservation and enhancement fore the benefit of current and future generations.

What are The Conservancy's goals?

As a voice for those who use and cherish Brackenridge Park, the Brackenridge Park Conservancy represents the interests of Park users, now and into the future, by building consensus and a sense of stewardship in the community, by unifying the Park as one coherent place, and by augmenting resources dedicated to the Park, including volunteers, expertise, funding, and advocacy.

Who governs the Brackenridge Park Conservancy?

The Brackenridge Park Conservancy is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Board comprised of civic and community leaders.

What is the mandate of the Conservancy?

In a cooperative management agreement, the City of San Antonio empowers the Brackenridge Park Conservancy to raise funds to benefit the Park; develop programming and projects free to the public; support the evolution and implementation of plans with community and civic partners; and build community support for the well-being of the Park.

Who does the park belong to?

How does The Conservancy partner with the City of San Antonio

In a cooperative management agreement, the city of San Antonio, empowers the Conservancy to raise funds to benefit the park, develop programming and projects free to the public, support the evolution and implementation of plans with community and civil partners, and build community support of the well-being of the park.

Who are the Conservancy's partners?

Since 2009, the Brackenridge Park Conservancy has been forging strong relationships with the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, the San Antonio River Authority, the Conservation Society of San Antonio, and many other public and private groups to protect, preserve, and restore the park.

Who maintains the park?

The City of San Antonio's Parks & Recreation Department maintains the park. The City leases land to San Antonio Zoo and Witte Museum who are also responsible for planning, improvements, and maintenance.

How many acres are in Brackenridge Park?

400 acres.

How many visitors does Brackenridge Park welcome annually?

1.5 Million.