Parks History

Early Parks in Boerne

The first area designated in the City of Boerne to serve as a community park was established around 1852 and was known as the Commons Area. The current Main Plaza was a part of the much larger Commons Area. The area was fenced and utilized by citizens to water horses and livestock while in town.

By 1964, the City of Boerne had four park sites totaling 7.5 acres of land. There were two Memorial Parks, today know as Veterans Park and Roeder Park, as well as Riverside Park and the Downtown Park.

City Park Development

In 1964, efforts were underway by the city to acquire a 125-acre tract of land to serve as the city's first developed park. On February 10, 1965, Mayor Ray Smart received a Western Union telegram from U.S. Senator Ralph W. Yarborough explaining that Boerne would be receiving a federal grant for $12,159 from the Housing and Home Financing Agency's Urban Renewal Administration. The grant was to aid in the purchase of the land that became Boerne City Park.

The city's first Recreation Committee was organized in 1969 to discuss a master recreational plan for the park. Park planners envisioned amenities such as sports fields, tennis courts, picnic areas, camping areas, playgrounds, and recreational buildings.

Parks & Recreation Today

City administration is dedicated to the continued, positive growth of the Parks and Recreation Department. In May of 2002, the first parks and recreation director was hired. A parks superintendent position was created and filled in November 2003, and a recreation coordinator was hired in January 2004. In the fall of 2007, a special events coordinator was hired to facilitate city-sponsored events.

These include, among other events, the now-popular Summer Scene event, which features concerts and movies in the park. In 2008 Parks and Recreation hired an Administrative Assistant / Cemetery Coordinator to help handle the accumulating work load added with all the new programming. In 2013 we started utilizing online enrollment software. This online feature benefits both the consumer and the city. Elimination of paperwork alone probably saved a small forest.

See a list of all city parks and trails.