In
1957, the San Antonio Conservation Society purchased 25 acres of pecan grove
south of Loop 13 between the east channel line of the San Antonio River and
the west bank of the San Juan Acequia. At this time, the San Antonio River
channel was being reconfigured for flood control; the property was acquired
to preserve its natural beauty and prevent commercial development of the
site.
The acequias were the Spanish colonial water system, built by the
missionaries and mission Indians to supply the nearby missions with drinking
and irrigation water.
The Foundation deeded the site to the City of San Antonio on October
25, 1975, for use as a park. This coincided with the awarding of a Bureau of
Outdoor Recreation grant. The property was transferred to the National Park
Service for inclusion in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
on February 20, 1983. |