San Pedro Springs Park is named after the famous Saint Peter, and the springs which help feed the San Antonio River. You wouldn’t know based on appearance, but San Pedro Springs Park is the oldest park in Texas. This park was discovered by Spanish missionaries in the early 1700’s, which led to the beginning of the city of San Antonio.
Prior to the missionaries finding the springs, a Coahuiltecan group are believed to have lived nearby. A much older group of people, approximately 12,000 years old, may have left artifacts after using the site as well. Wow, this is where it all began San Antonio!
How to Get to San Pedro Springs Park in San Antonio, TX
Address: 2200 N Flores, San Antonio, TX 78212
Hours of operation: Park hours have not been declared, but most San Antonio Parks are open from 5am – 11pm
The park is located just north of downtown San Antonio, between I-10 and US-281. It can also be easily accessed from Fredericksburg Road, Blanco Road and San Pedro Avenue. This park is nearly 50 acres and has many amenities.
San Pedro Springs has fascinating historical information about a place I use on a regular basis with my dog, Abbey. She seems to be less interested in the history, and much more interested in the squirrels. They live and play in the oak trees at the park. Who would have guessed San Pedro Springs had such a history?
Modifications are always being made to our historical areas in an attempt to improve appearances. Of course, I can’t make the argument that this was the first park to allow dogs. However, the park is dog friendly and the first discovered in Texas!
San Pedro Springs Park Amenities
- Walk your dog
- Swim in the spring-fed pool (summer only)
- Walk around the border, or through the park
- Have a picnic at a pavilion, or underneath trees
- Play sports in the open fields
- Go to the library
- Visit the theatre
- Play tennis on lighted courts
- Visit San Antonio College across San Pedro Avenue
- Bring your kids to the playground
San Pedro Springs is fairly large considering its location, and contains several other structures. There is a library, theatre, several tennis courts and a public, spring-fed pool. A metal fence was recently installed around the pool. The pool was previously wide-open. There is also a small playground, picnic areas and pathways venturing around the park.
Pick it Up San Antonio
This park may have been open 24 hours a day at one time, but signs inside the park indicate other hours. This may be because the city does not want people sleeping in the park. One of the only downsides to San Pedro Springs Park is the amount of litter, and clothing lying around. The park is just north of downtown San Antonio and may be a popular place for the homeless.
Those picnicking and playing around may also be littering. I try to pick up the garbage I see and toss it in one of the many recycle bins while walking my dog. There are plenty of garbage cans in the park and no excuse for throwing garbage on the ground. Pick up after yourselves people!
San Pedro Springs is an amazing place and has been for thousands of years. Let’s keep it that way. Overall the park is well-shaded, but some of the areas are open to direct sunlight. The open space is perfect for sporting events. I come here often to play flag football, or kickball with meet-up groups.
My dog enjoys squirrel watching, squirrel chasing and hiking around the park. Unfortunately, she does not play football, but I’m sure she would love to try. San Pedro Springs is one of the parks in San Antonio that we visit most often. However, there are more than a few great parks to choose from in the Alamo City.
This park has a beautiful history, and there is a lot we can do here. Looking for things to do nearby? Checkout The Historic Pearl, The Japanese Tea Garden, or Headwaters Sanctuary to the east.
I’m a certified personal trainer in San Antonio. After adopting Abbey, I created Places for Pups to help you get outside, exercise with your dog and have fun doing it.
We have mastered hiking in Texas Hill Country. Though we emerge from the woods unharmed, we are not responsible for you or your pets. You are solely responsible for trying exercises, or places discussed on this site.
Grab the best hiking gear and go dog friendly. I wish you good fortune on the trails to come.
David Earley
CPT, CES