By Edmond Ortiz
Alamo Heights’ elected leaders recently discussed different ways that the city could be improving its park and recreational areas, and a portion of Broadway Street in front of Alamo Heights High School.
What is happening
The discussions took place during the Dec. 8 City Council meeting, where council members suggested having formal, comprehensive future talks about possibly master planning the area between the Alamo Heights public swimming pool and the Jack Judson nature trails.
At issue here is what should happen with the Alamo Heights bicycle park, which local volunteers opened in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Bark Park of Alamo Heights, the dog park that local residents opened on Alamo Heights Boulevard nearly 15 years ago.
Laurie Saunders, who as a private citizen had led efforts to voluntarily maintain the dog park, has moved out of state, but expressed her hope to local officials that the park stay open.
Saunders told city leaders that she has had trouble finding fellow volunteers to take up responsibilities in cleaning the park, and doing repairs when needed, on a long-term basis.
As a result of this development, Mayor Al Honigblum suggested that, if the city were to take over the dog park, the park could be relocated to the Judson nature trails parking lot area.
Honigblum said some land there measuring less than 1 acre could accommodate a new dog park, which can be open to dog owners from Alamo Heights, Olmos Park and Terrell Hills.
While not a formal proposal, Honigblum’s idea prompted a larger conversation among council members about the pros and cons of a turning what has been a privately owned dog park on public property into a city-owned-and-run space, and either keeping it in its current location or moving it a short distance to Judson nature trails.
Honigblum and council members agreed that both the dog park and adjacent bike park, which is similar in size, are popular with people, residents and non-residents alike. They also agreed that each area is underutilized and could benefit from proper long-term maintenance, possibly under city control. The bike park, like the dog park, is maintained by volunteers.
Honigblum suggested moving the dog park to the Judson nature trails could activate that area, which he added is benefiting from the recent development of a neighboring pocket park at the city swimming pool on Viesca Avenue.
Local officials said a pocket park has been designed to complement pool operations, and lure more concessions-area visitors year-round with the construction of a shade structure, perimeter fencing, restrooms, playscapes, and pedestrian lighting.
Construction of the $900,000 pool pocket park is tentatively scheduled to begin in early January 2026, with completion slated in May 2026.
Honigblum also shared his concern that vehicular traffic on Alamo Heights Boulevard, especially during Alamo Heights Little League season, makes things hazardous for people who might be walking their dogs to and from the dog park; the Little League complex lies a few yards south of the dog park.
“We need to activate this area and create activity and get people there,” Honigblum said of the Judson nature trails area.
Council members said they are not opposed to the idea of the city taking over the dog park – or the bike park for that matter – but that either venture needs more discussion and park-area master planning if relocating the dog park were to become a reality.
City officials are already going forward with adding a separate larger community park in the same area; this new public park will sit at the corner of Alamo Heights Boulevard and Viesca.
Council approved a bid from local firm Coral Studio to design this new public park, which will have children’s play areas, green space and potentially some shaded structures. Coral Studio is also responsible for designing the aforementioned pool pocket park.
Phase I of planning the new larger public park at Alamo Heights Boulevard and Viesca will involve the development of a framework plan, schematic designs, marketing, consulting, and surveys of the topography and trees on the property.
The cost of this work will be $52,150. Because the city’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget contains only $50,000 for Phase I park pre-planning, local officials will use part of the city’s comprehensive fund to cover the shortfall.
“I’m excited to continue doing the work to get to a Class A level park,” Council member Lawson Jessee said of the new public park.
Local leaders said they look forward to discussing the future of dog and bike parks.
Improving Broadway Street
Council on Dec. 8 also was briefed on Alamo Heights Independent School District’s plan to enhance the right-of-way along Broadway in front of Alamo Heights High School, which is undergoing an overhaul funded by AHISD’s 2023 voter-approved bond.
A representative of LPA Design Studio, the school district’s architectural firm, said the improvements in front of the high school will include putting overhead utility lines underground, placing traffic signals on mast arms, enhancing the sidewalk and landscaping along Broadway, and turning the crosswalk into a paver walkway.
These improvements, funded by the AHISD bond, are still subject to review from the city’s architectural review board and final approval by City Council.
