Brackenridge Park Conservancy, a nonprofit that was “hired” by the City of San Antonio to be stewards of Brackenridge Park, seems to be more interested in pleasing its donors—who appear to be tied to private interests. The planned development of this National Register of Historic Places and State Antiquities Landmark forges ahead despite public opposition. The Texas Historical Commission, after taking an active role in preserving this historic landscape, made an about-face in 2023 to approve the demolition of trees in Brackenridge Park, due to suspected pressure from political and private interests, aka developers.
Sign the petition at:
https://www.change.org/p/san-antonio-city-council-save-brackenridge-park
Brackenridge Park, a cultural resource of the People, is now slated for paving over natural areas and changing the “culture” that uses the park daily. The city plans to chop down 48 trees—including 100-year-old heritage trees. They plan to replant, but that doesn’t replace the original wildlife or recreate the environment that has been destroyed. Older trees absorb and hold more carbon and provide higher quality habitat. Also at risk are potential archeological artifacts and burial sites.
Engineers provided alternative solutions to repair an aging river wall, but the city dismissed them. As documented by videographer and activist Alesia Garlock, aka The Bird Lady, since 2018 the city has been violently displacing nesting birds—protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty—by destroying nests with viable eggs and using explosives and pesticides and by chopping off sturdy, perfectly fine branches. As of today, the birds have not returned.
The Grandfather Trees that line the riverbank and the protected cormorant birds that called them home are part of the Coahuiltecan creation story and the spiritual ecology of the park. The San Antonio River in the park is linked to a constellation of stars in the sky. A specific bend in the river is known by First Nations people as Yanaguana, or Spirit Waters. The city fenced off Yanaguana in preparation to chop down the sacred trees, preventing members of a Native American church from practicing their ceremonies. Gary Pérez and Matilde Torres filed a federal lawsuit against the City of San Antonio for violation of the First Amendment, federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Person Act and Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. A judgment was issued and the case was appealed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. —Dana Hegar
Find out more by contacting Free Zilker, and at:
Friends of Migratory Birds in San Antonio,
https://www.facebook.com/friendsofMigratorybirds
Protect Yanaguana Grandfather Trees and Migratory Birds
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1340300303153517
Save Brackenridge Park