While Boston Common is the oldest park in the US (we see you BOStoday 👋), the second oldest sits right in our backyard.
Today, we’re exploring all the things you can do at San Pedro Spring Park (also known as San Pedro Park). But before we share all the awesome things you can do here, let’s look at a brief timeline of this historic park.
🌳 The History
- The springs within the park have provided water, food, and refuge to people for 12,000+ years.
- During the 17th century, Spanish explorers established their camps within the area.
- Fathers Antonio de San Buenaventura de Olivares + Isidro Felix de Espinosa named the waters “San Pedro Springs” in 1709.
- It wasn’t until 1852 that City Council established a reserve around the springs and leased the area to John Jacob Duerler, who developed the first pavilions for visitors to enjoy.
- During Duerler’s time of leasing the property, he drastically changed the park by adding greenery, five fish ponds, a race track (where today lies the baseball field), and opening a small zoo.
After the passing of Duerler, Frederick Kerbel leased the property from 1883 to 1890 and continued preserving the area with new upgrades + additions. This includes opening a Museum of Natural History, which heavily influenced the Witte Museum today.
In the 1890s, the park conditions deteriorated due to a nationwide depression.
🌳 Reviving Kerbel’s legacy
The turn of the 20th century marked a new era for the park.
- In 1897, then Mayor Bryan Callaghan decided to renovate the park.
- San Pedro Springs Park reopened on August 11, 1899, to a rapidly growing population.
- Between the 1915-1920s, San Pedro Springs Park saw another transformation that included the development of a swimming pool, tennis courts, library + community theater.
- In 1979, San Pedro Spring Park became a part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Here are a few upcoming events + things to do you won’t want to miss.
🌳 San Pedro Springs Pool | Sun.-Fri., 1-7 p.m.
Aqua Zumba | Wed., July 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Free
Aqua Zumba | Wed., July 20 | 6:30 p.m. | Free
Aqua Zumba | Wed., July 27 | 6:30 p.m. | Free
Pro tip: children 12+ are only allowed to join a class with an adult present.
🌳 The Public Theater of San Antonio
The oldest theater in San Antonio and now under the direction of Claudia de Vasco — the first latina to take this leadership role in its 100-year history — has recently celebrated its 700th production.
Once on this Island | Opening night Fri., July 15 + other dates | 7:30 p.m. | $15 | The story follows Ti Moune, a peasant girl, as she rescues a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, Daniel, with whom she falls in love.
🌳 McFarlin Tennis Courts
McFarlin Tennis Center offers 22 lighted hard courts with pro shop, lockers, showers, and a variety of services.
Open Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-12 p.m. + 3-8 p.m. | Fri.-Sun., 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Pro tip: Court rental fees before 5 p.m. are discounted $1 off.
🌳 San Pedro Springs Park
Intro to Parkour | Every Monday | 6-7 p.m. | Free | Meet at the field near the Public Theater of San Antonio and learn the fundamental movements and safe practices of parkour in this fun and informative class series.