San Pedro Springs Park 2200 N. Flores St., (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov The blue, clear waters found in San Pedro Springs Park have been used since hunters and gatherers roamed the land nearby and drank from its springs. As the second oldest public space in America, many San Antonians’ ancestors have swam in the park’s pool. There’s no fee for locals looking to jump in this cold-refreshing water hole in the summer, and its beauty can be enjoyed year round. Credit: Instagram / brandik1970

Despite its perpetually low rankings from the Trust for Public Land on the accessibility of its parks, one new report praises San Antonio for the sheer volume of its green space.

Indeed, that analysis by yard care marketplace LawnLove declared SA the greenest big city in Texas. The Alamo City came in at No. 15 on the nationwide list, while Houston landed at No. 17 and El Paso at No. 19. Austin didn’t even break the top 20.

Researchers for LawnLove ranked 97 of the largest U.S. cities by comparing their total number of parks, acreage of green space and the average size of residential yards, among other factors.

“In the summer, you can go for a swim at San Pedro Springs Park, the second oldest-park in the U.S.,” LawnLove wrote of the Alamo City’s green spaces. “Explore more historical sites at the San Antonio Missions, or keep an eye out for dinosaur tracks while walking through Government Canyon State Natural Area.”

Chesapeake, Virginia, took the No. 1 spot. Meanwhile, the urban jungle of Newark, New Jersey, came last at No. 97 in LoveLawns rankings.

The findings don’t necessarily contradict the criticisms of the Trust for Public Land, which ranks cities not just on their total amount of green space but also on investment, accessibility and amenities.

On that organization’s lists, San Antonio perpetually earns low marks for accessibility since so many of its parks are situated downtown and many areas of urban sprawl have little green space at all.

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This article appears in Dec 28, 2022 – Jan 10, 2023.

Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...