Local Parks - Parks - SAPL's Resource Guides at San Antonio Public Library

Links to the Library

San Antonio Botanical Garden,

Flickr Creative Commons by JAS

For information about your local parks and those who support it, check out the following links.

San Antonio Parks and Recreation
Did you know that San Antonio has 229 parks? The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department also operates many recreational and cultural programs. Find a swimming pool, enjoy an afternoon program, explore senior activities and much more.
San Antonio Botanical Garden
The botanical garden encourages park lovers to learn more about the plants around us.
Mitchel Lake Eco-Resource
Mitchel Lake is a hidden gem on San Antonio's South Side. The lake is positioned on a natural migratory bird route and serves as a resting point for tens of thousands of birds each year.
San Antonio Audubon Society
A Conservation and Birding Club in San Antonio Texas since 1954. Provides local birding hotspots, a birding checklist and FAQs on respecting nature on the wing.

Local Parks

Sometimes you just want to take a stroll in town. For the best local outdoor escapes, consult this guide.

San Antonio's Historic Plazas, Parks, and River Walk : in Vintage Postcard Images - by Lewis F. Fisher
Learn the history behind San Antonio's outdoor parks and about how the riverwalk developed. Visit the Central Library Texana Department to step into the past of the Alamo City.
San Pedro Springs : a scrapbook - by Albert F. "Rick" Grimm.
San Pedro Springs is the oldest recreation area in Texas and a local treasure.
San Antonio Parks and Recreation System Strategic Plan (2006-2016)
Want to know what guides the development of parks in your neighborhood? Check out the strategic plan and learn about parks and city planning. This book is in the reference collection of most branch libraries.

Need a novel getaway? Here's a list of scenic libraries in green spaces.

Central Library
The Central Library is just a couple of steps from the new Riverwalk extension, so you can grab a book or three and enjoy one of the scenic benches along the water. Just head out of the library and walk down Augusta Street to the old iron bridge.
Collins Gardens Library
This branch is located in Collins Gardens Park, a perfect place to relax on the lawn. Bring a large picnic blanket and kickback with your favorite children's story.
Igo Library
The John Igo Library is located in a gorgeous oak grove. A natural area features seating stones. Within the library stunning views of the oaks surround readers and provide a quiet environment. A 40-foot windmill helps to power the building.
Landa Library
The Landa Branch Library has a beautiful outdoor landscape donated by the Landa Gardens Conservancy. Along with 30 public benches for quiet reads, patrons can wander along beautiful walking paths or check out the community garden.
San Pedro Library
A little branch with a big history, San Pedro is in a lovely park with huge live oak trees and intimate park benches. Behind the library you will find a beehive-shaped Victorian-era “Summer Home” with a fountain, which was used to keep food cool.
Semmes Library
The Julia Yates Semmes Branch Library is connected to Comanche Park through winding natural paths and trails. Patrons are often delighted to find that the library porch is open for their reading. Morning is a great time to explore wildlife.