Spring Newsletter, 2007

Spring Essay

Last November many Friends had the opportunity to visit Rancho Diana, one of the City’s Proposition 3-funded aquifer protection areas. We hope to utilize this normally inaccessible parcel for another Friends event soon. This beautiful property was originally owned by Captain Menchaca, commander of the Spanish garrison at San Antonio de Bexar. It was purchased by Frank Granger Huntress in 1932, and later owned by the Thrift and Wagner families before acquisition by the City of San Antonio as a Natural Area. Read more on the history of Rancho Diana at our website www.fofriedrichpark.org.

Friends of Friedrich News

We understand that many of our members, and others, continue to be very concerned about the construction bordering Crownridge Canyon Natural Area (CCNA), and we share this sentiment. The clearing and grading that can be seen from CCNA is for a 218-home subdivision known as Crownridge Heights. As part of the original Crownridge of Texas Master Development Plan, this project is unfortunately vested from several current City ordinances. We have been in contact with the developer to communicate the public outcry at this damage, and encourage you to contact your City Council member or County Commissioner to send your own message. Although they may possess vested rights, we would like to encourage developers in the area to commit voluntarily to a spirit of Hill Country preservation.

Pending Events

Saturday, April 21—Informal tours of the future Voelcker Park

This 204 acre property is slated to be purchased by the City of San Antonio as a much needed urban park for the North Central portion of the City. Approval of the funds will be determined in the upcoming bond election. This is your opportunity for a preview of this gorgeous and unspoiled site. See www.voelckerfarm.org for more information.

Friday May 4-Sunday May 6—WildFest San Antonio

San Antonio’s First Annual Bird and Nature Festival. See www.wildfestsanantonio.com for more information.

Saturday, May 12—Election Day

Voters will, among other things, consider a $550 million bond package, $50 million of which is devoted to parkland acquisition and improvement throughout the City, including the above-mentioned Voelcker tract. See www.sanantonio.gov for more information.

Friends of Friedrich Wilderness Park
21395 Milsa Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78256