In a significant development for the city's historic West Side, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has awarded the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department a $1.5 million grant. The funds will be allocated to the Cassiano Park Revitalization Project, following a competitive grant process where San Antonio's application garnered the highest score among all submissions.
City officials expressed gratitude for the support received from the West Side community, neighborhood leaders, City Council, and State leadership. Homer Garcia III, Director of Parks and Recreation, emphasized the collaborative efforts that contributed to this achievement.
"Today’s action represents the advocacy by our West Side community, neighborhood leaders, City Council, City leadership and State leadership who came together to support a shared vision for the future of Cassiano Park," said Garcia.
The grant, part of the TPWD Local Park Grant Program, brings the total funding for the Cassiano Park Revitalization Project to $5.25 million. An earlier allocation of $3.75 million from the 2022 municipal bond package, along with the newly secured grant, positions the project for a transformative impact on the Cassiano Park community.
As part of the 2022 bond, the Department of Arts & Culture will contribute to the project by creating a public art installation at Cassiano Park. Additional funding from the City Council District 5 Office and the Tree Mitigation and Tree Canopy Fund will further support the revitalization efforts.
Cassiano Park, a 2.89-acre linear park along the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System, will undergo enhancements to increase outdoor recreational opportunities. The current amenities include a pool and pool house, two playgrounds, a pavilion, picnic sites, a covered basketball court, restroom buildings, and a trailhead connection.
Public input meetings were held at the park to gather feedback from the community, informing the project's priority goals. These include improved aquatics accessibility, preservation of cultural and historic significance, enhanced nature experiences, increased shade, and equitable access to high-quality parks for historically marginalized communities.
With final design anticipated to be completed by Fall 2024, construction is expected to commence in Spring 2025, marking a significant step forward for the Cassiano Park community and its residents.
