Topics: Our bikeable/walkable community, pt. 2, and a guest speaker from Animal Care Services on responsible pet ownership and the future Animal Adoption Center to be built across from the zoo.

Check back here for the latest info.

The Ludwig Mahncke historical marker is sponsored by his great-granddaughter, Mary Anita Dittmar Calvert and her husband, James Calvert. Mrs. Calvert’s grandmother, Anna Mahncke Deutz, donated the adjoining fountain to the City of San Antonio in 1964.

Ludwig Mahncke served as San Antonio Parks Commissioner from 1901 until 1906. He encouraged his friend George W. Brackenridge to give the city 199-acres of riverfront land that comprises a large part of today’s Brackenridge Park.  Mahncke also designed early improvements to Brackenridge Park and beautified many of the city’s other plazas and open spaces. After his death in 1906, Mahncke’s many friends commemorated him with a bust by artist Pompeo Coppini, located today in Mahncke Park.

In celebration of National Preservation Month, the Office of Historic Preservation is offering two Go! Historic SA Guided Running & Walking Tours in May. These tours are a fun way to learn about San Antonio’s historic sites and get fit. At various stops along the approximately 3-mile route, tour guides share the stories behind the buildings, neighborhoods, and parks that make San Antonio unique. This year’s tours feature new routes and guided fitness walking tours in addition to guided runs. Runners and walkers of all abilities are welcome. Participants will be divided into small groups according to experience.

5K Downtown Tour: Mother’s Day, May 8th, 8:00 a.m.

The Downtown Tour is scheduled for Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, at 8:00 a.m. and will start at the City Marina, located at 202 E. Nueva. Tour includes stops at the Spanish Governor’s Palace, Milam Building, River Walk, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Scottish Rite Temple, Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building, Houston Street, Main Plaza, and more. The tour is a great way to start your Mother’s Day celebration, so make plans to bring the family.

5K Brackenridge Park Tour: Thursday, May 26th, 6:00 p.m.

The Brackenridge Park Tour takes place Thursday, May 26 at 6:00 p.m. and will start at the zoo parking lot on N. St. Mary’s Street. Tour will include stops at the 18th-century Upper Labor acequia and dam, Mira Flores Park, Joske Pavillion, Sunken Gardens, Tuesday Music Club, Trinity University Tower, Bushnell Apartments, and more.

Each tour is $15 per person and includes a mesh running cap.

Register online at www.active.com keywords "guided tour.” To register by mail, go to www.sanantonio.gov/historic/PreservationMonth.aspx to download a registration form, or register in person at our offices at 1901 S. Alamo.

For more information contact the Office of Historic Preservation at 215-9274.

Recreation Event Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to assist with two upcoming Parks and Recreation sports events:

April 30, 9am-3pm - Aquafina Pitch, Hit & Run at the Koger Stokes Baseball Complex-City Facility

and

May 7, 8am-3pm - Hershey Track & Field at Frank Mata Stadium-Kennedy High School Field

Shifts are flexible and enthusiasm is a must! Volunteers will serve in a variety of duties such as spotters, registration, retrievers, dugout assistance. Please note these are outdoor events and it’s going to be hot! For more information, contact Gabriela Tello at 207-2899 or via email at Gabriela.Tello@sanantonio.gov

Education Volunteers @ J Street Park Family Day

Have you attended a few tree plantings events? Are you interested in helping educate others about the importance of park stewardship? Education volunteers are needed to assist with the Family Day Volunteer Event on April 16 from 8-11am at J Street Park. The event will feature a craft activity, hands on tree planting, and a reading of “The Lorax” for a group of 5-10 year olds. If you are interested, please call 207-8603 or email Meredith.Ruiz@sanantonio.gov for more information. Please note: A successful background check will be required for all education volunteers. Deadline to sign up is April 6.

Brackenridge Easter Project

The Brackenridge Park Conservancy and San Antonio Parks and Recreation are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help educate park users camping in the park over Easter Weekend about park stewardship, with an emphasis on recycling.

Volunteers will:

- Provide park users with clear bags for recyclables and black bags for trash

- Walk through the park with blue recycle carts

- Answer general questions about recycling

Multiple Shifts Available:

Friday 4/22 - 9am-1pm & 1pm-5pm

Sunday 4/24 - 3pm-6pm

Monday 4/25 – 9am-noon

Training will be provided before each shift. Spaces are limited! RSVP by email at Meredith.Ruiz@sanantonio.gov or by phone at (210) 207-8603

Pearsall Park: Poop Scoop

We are looking for a few brave volunteers willing to tackle a messy situation at Pearsall Park! Tasks will include walking/patrolling the park and picking up what a few careless dog owners have left behind. This is a great opportunity to bring Fido along with you since there is a dog park on park premises. Volunteer hours are flexible with your schedule and your service will have a big impact on the appearance of the park and the health of the nearby creekways. Call 207-8603 or email Meredith.Ruiz@sanantonio.gov for more info.

Fiesta Parade Volunteers Needed!

Battle of the Flowers Parade 4/15/11 (Volunteers arrive at 9:30am) and Fiesta Flambeau Parade 4/16/11 (Volunteers arrive at 3:30pm)

Sign up for one event or both! Volunteers are needed to assist with event setup and takedown. Tasks will include unloading chairs from chair racks and placing/numbering them down the parade route. This is a great way to complete service hours and see a fantastic Fiesta event up close.

Spaces are limited and RSVPs are required. Ages 12+. To sign up, call (210) 207-8603 or email Meredith.Ruiz@sanantonio.gov

Meredith Ruiz
Park Community Service Liaison Supervisor
Parks and Recreation
114 W. Commerce, 11^th Floor
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 207-8603 office
(210) 880-8225 cell

Meredith.Ruiz@sanantonio.gov