The Brackenridge Park Conservancy in San Antonio has created a new Art Installations Guide map and virtual tour devoted to the public art and architectural landmarks sited within the 344-acre central city park.

The map is intended as a self-guided tour for those interested in exploring 19 artistic sites located throughout the 126-year-old public park’s many attractions, which include the San Antonio Zoo, Brackenridge Golf Course, the Japanese Tea Garden, Sunken Garden Theater, fishing in the San Antonio River, as well as numerous other features.

The Brackenridge Park Conservancy has made repairs to the beloved Joske Pavilion, a longtime picnic and field trip spot.

The work completed includes:

• Repaired and replaced flagstone and concrete at the pavilion entrance
• A restored roof with new clay tiles
• Fresh paint

Winner: Brackenridge Park
3700 N. St. Mary’s St.

2. Phil Hardberger Park
8400 NW Military Highway

3. Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair
434 S Alamo St.

Best of San Antonio 2025
For the third year in a row, Brackenridge Park was voted “Best City Park” by San Antonio Current readers! We’re so thankful for the continued support that keeps the park thriving.

News4 San Antonio Living’s Michaela Romero talks with Brackenridge Park Conservancy Director of Events and Programing Britta Ramirez and San Antonio Sports Malison De Leon about free fitness classes this summer through its partnership with San Antonio Sports ACTIVATE.

Start your week with movement, mindfulness, and the beauty of the park — all at no cost!

Michaela went live from Brackenridge Park, where the community is staying active with free fitness classes all summer long!

Brackenridge Park Conservancy and San Antonio Sports ACTIVATE have teamed up for free fitness classes this summer.

Find your center with yoga in the park or get your morning kicked off right with a bootcamp class. There is even a Parkour Adventure for children age 7 to 12.

Director of Events and Programing with Brackenridge Park Britta Ramirez and Senior Director of Community Events & Engagement with San Antonio Sports Sara Tovar share details about the events.

Brackenridge Park in San Antonio has 126 years of history and the bones of a world-class park.

The heavily wooded area near the headwaters of the San Antonio River north of downtown has seen human occupation for 12,000 years. In 1899, George Brackenridge donated 199 acres to the city.

Over the years the park has grown to 343 acres. The park now includes the zoo, Japanese Tea Garden, museum, and municipal golf course. Walking trails, pavilions, and picnic tables are tucked under the trees along the riverbank. The park’s scenic roads are worth a Sunday drive.

With longer days, kids out of school, and uninspired streaming releases, it’s easy to get squirrely during a San Antonio summer. Luckily, Alamo City locals have no shortage of things to do without breaking the bank. Whether looking for family-friendly fun, educational opportunities, art projects, or fitness, these budget-friendly summer activities will keep vacation season more woohoo than humdrum.

Get moving at Brackenridge Park
The Brackenridge Park Conservancy and fitness nonprofit San Antonio Sports will get locals’ hearts pumping with Monday yoga classes, Wednesday boot camps, and Saturday Pilates sessions. The free workouts are designed for all ages and levels, but Pilates participants should bring their own mat, towel, and water.

A historic structure in Brackenridge Park that was once critical to San Antonio’s early growth recently suffered from a leaky roof while awaiting a long-delayed multi-million dollar restoration.

Working with the city in April, the nonprofit Brackenridge Park Conservancy placed a durable lightway rubberized membrane over the Water Works Pumphouse, one of San Antonio’s oldest intact industrial structures. The building is slated for restoration under a 2017 bond project augmented by $4.6 million from the conservancy, Bexar County, and the Conversation Society of San Antonio.

After an 18-month search, the Brackenridge Park Conservancy has appointed a new full-time CEO in New Orleans-born Chris Maitre. He brings with him 13 years of experience managing New Orleans’ historic City Park and 27 years of experience working in nonprofits.

Maitre comes at a time when the conservancy, city and community are launching renewed efforts to fund and develop projects aimed at reversing decades of decline at the 125-year-old Brackenridge Park. Maitre replaces Terry Brechtel, the interim CEO and former city manager who has led the Brackenridge Conservancy for the past year and a half and who played a key role in shaping the park’s latest plans.

Efforts to restore the historic 343-acre Brackenridge Park began in 2008, with the launch of the Conservancy.

The Brackenridge Park Conservancy is hosting its Annual Parktoberfest to celebrate San Antonio’s German heritage.

This free event is on September 29, at Koehler and Cypress Pavilions along the banks of the San Antonio River at Brackenridge Park from 4- 7 pm.

Parktoberfest honors the memory of Emma Koehler of the Pearl Brewing family. She donated 11 acres to San Antonio where alcohol beverages could be served in this part of Brackenridge Park.

The event will have German music by Beethoven Mannerchor and jazz music from The Dirty River Jazz band.