Two-mile stretch of Mission Reach opens Easter weekend

Kayakers and cyclists enjoy a newly completed stretch of Mission Reach at Padre Park. Kayakers and cyclists enjoy a newly completed stretch of Mission Reach at Padre Park. Photo: Darren Abate, For The San Antonio Express-News Photo: Darren Abate, For The San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 143 Caption Close Two-mile stretch of Mission Reach opens Easter weekend 1 / 143 Back to Gallery

With another two-mile stretch of the Mission Reach opening to the public this weekend, Bexar County officials surveyed the San Antonio River on Tuesday and declared it ready for recreation.

About six miles of the eight-mile Mission Reach now are finished, and the remaining two miles are on schedule for completion by Aug. 31.

The newly completed segment of the San Antonio River Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project runs from Padre Park to Mission San Juan.

It includes another mile suitable for paddling, extending the total run for kayaks and canoes to 2.5 miles.

It's now possible to hike or bike along the river from downtown almost to Loop 410 South.

County Judge Nelson Wolff said the county's $200 million expenditure is “one of the most important public works projects of our time.... People are really beginning to use it,” he said.

“Bring a basket of eggs, bring your kids down here” this weekend, Wolff added.

Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez said the project is a boost for his Precinct 2.

“For me, this is really a personal thing, still living here on the South Side and representing the four missions,” he said.

Another South Side native, Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, praised the San Antonio River Authority for leading the construction effort, which he said “is doing justice, finally, to the San Antonio River in ways that historically we've never done.”

Commissioner Paul Elizondo said “the natural habitat restoration is extremely important to our culture, our community and the environment.” But the project does more than rechannel the river and install plants — it's adding trails, picnic areas and park amenities up and down the Mission Reach, he said.

“I just get goosebumps thinking about what this was like two years ago, and what it is now, and especially what it's going to be,” Elizondo said.

jgonzalez@express-news.net