Plan Framework
Amenities & Infrastructure
The map below highlights the Amenities & Infrastructure Framework recommendations identified for the Brooks Regional Center Area. Scroll down learn more about the vision for Amenities & Infrastructure in the Plan Area.
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Introduction
While the Brooks Area Regional Center already has many assets, the community has expressed strong desires for improved access to existing amenities and a variety of improvements to make the neighborhoods within the Brooks Area more complete and livable. From improved tree canopy to gateway features and public art, and from recreational opportunties to healthy food options, participants in the planning process clearly articulated the need for improving established neighborhoods while and planning to ensure new neighborhoods include the essential components of a healthy and vibrant community.
The community vision for the Brooks Area is that Interstate 37 (1-37) will no longer be a barrier and all residents will have safe and pleasant access to the San Antonio River, the multitude of Mission Reach amenities, and a variety of other active and passive recreational amenities. The Brooks Area will include great on-street and off-street pedestrian and bicycle connections via tree-lined streets and well-connected trails and pathways throughout the entire regional center. The pedestrian and bicycle connections will link existing and new development to a greater range of opportunties to live, work and play within the Regional Center.
The community also desires an improved experience in moving throughout the regional center. Through good design and placemaking, the Brooks Area Regional Center will include enhanced shade and tree canopy, public art, and integrated stormwater features. All public and private projects will include elements that enhance the sense of place and contribute to the quality of life in the Brooks Area.
Recommendation #1:
Enhance the experience for pedestrians and bicyclists moving along and across major thoroughfares through safety and streetscape improvements.Many of the major thoroughfares in the Brooks Area Regional Center are unsafe or uncomfortable for pedestrians and most do not accommodate bicyclists. A walkable and bikeable regional center requires connected networks that support and encourage walking and biking as viable and attractive options. The design and maintenance of pedestrian and bicycle facilities must consider buffers from fast moving traffic, traffic calming, shade, furnishings and other amenities. Safe crossings at frequent intervals are also essential for walking and biking in the Brooks Area Regional Center.
Recommendation #2:
Increase active and passive recreational opportunities throughout the Brooks Area Regional Center, consistent with the SA Parks System Plan.The existing community within the Brooks Area Regional Center has expressed a strong desire for additional recreational opportunities. The need will continue to increase as new development brings additional residents, workers, and visitors to the area. Recreational amenities should include opportunities for active living with trails, courts, fields and play areas, as well as more passive recreational opportunities with natural areas, places to sit and gather, picnic areas, and viewing/observation features.
Recommendation #3:
Maintain and enhance the tree canopy and other shade elements in existing and new development.Many areas of the Brooks Area Regional Center have a well-established tree canopy that provides shade and beautification while contributing to a stronger sense of place. With that said many areas within the Regional Center lack a significant number of trees. As improvements occur within the area in the coming years, efforts should be made to maintain existing trees and to add to the tree canopy in both the public and private realms. The tree canopy should be supplemented with other shade elements where possible.
Recommendation #4:
Improve opportunities to grow, purchase and share healthy foods.The Brooks Area Regional Center generally has poorer health outcomes than many other areas of San Antonio. In part, this can be attributed to the limited availability of healthy food options. The community has expressed strong desires for a variety of healthy food options. These could potentially include community gardens and orchards, farmers’ markets, road side food stands, food cooperatives, smaller grocers and mercados, and more traditional full-service grocery stores. Another concept to pursue and promote is community-supported agriculture (CSAs), in which consumers receive fresh food directly from farms and ranches via a subscription.
Recommendation #5:
Create additional nodes of activity with flexible community gathering spaces.The Brooks Area Regional Center currently lacks common gathering spaces to host community events and programs. As new development and redevelopment occurs, the Regional Center will need to include concentrations of activities in locations that are accessible to existing and new residents. These activity nodes should include parks, plazas and other flexible outdoor spaces that can host formal and informal community gatherings and events.
Parks, Trails and Open Space
While the Brooks Area Regional Center has many existing parks and is bounded by the Mission Reach along the San Antonio River, many of these amenities are difficult to access for residents and some larger parks are in the shadows of the interstate freeway. Both Pytel and Pickwell Park lack sidewalk connections, safe crosswalks or nearby transit stops.
Specific priority locations for additional and enhanced parks and open spaces are:
- East of Interstate 37
- south of the intersection of I-37 and I-410; and
- near Salado Creek and Pecan Valley Drive; and
- Rosillo Creek.
- West of Interstate 37
- a trail along State Hospital Creek
Arts and Cultural Amenities
The major opportunities identified for arts and cultural amenities within the Brooks Area are at major gateways to the Regional Center and along Presa Street and New Braunfels Avenue. The community expressed a desire for more public art features ranging from sculptures and murals to gateway monuments and iconic architecture.
The Brooks Area community would like to see its history reflected in public art, gateway and other public realm improvements.
Community Amenities
Regarding community amenities, the community expressed a strong interest in new healthy food options, outdoor gathering spaces, and community resource centers with access to technology and meeting spaces. Specific ideas include more amenities for older adults and seniors, a recreation center, library, police substation and a dog park. The majority of these opportunities were identified in the northern half of the Regional Center to serve existing residents, but it will be important that new development in the western and southern portions of the Regional Center include similar community amenities to keep pace with growth.