Growing grassroots movement to create 2.7-mile trail in Leon Springs

Recreational trail to raise property values, increase walkability

SAN ANTONIO – Tucked away behind the trees is a calming place where you can clear your mind and get closer to nature.

The Leon Springs Trail Foundation wants to make the green space along the creek more accessible to those who love the outdoors or just want to walk to nearby businesses.

"When you have a trail system near your neighborhood, it increases your property value and decreases crime. By bringing in responsible community traffic into the existing space, you drive out the undesirable traffic," said Joel Huehn, chairman of the Leon Springs Trail Foundation.

There’s already a clear, well-traveled path along the creek, but what the foundation would like to do is create a reinforced concrete trail about 10 feet wide and 2.7 miles long. The new pathway would give people a recreational place to enjoy the outdoors at a safe distance from the roadway.

"Right now, on Boerne Stage Road, as fast as this area has grown, there’s a big problem with cyclists (and) bikers. And being a former cyclist myself, I understand this,” Huehn said. “There’s some difficulty and some tight spots, particularly for kids. You see a lot of kids riding up and down the road on their BMX bikes. We need a way to make that safer."

The project would cost an estimated $3 million to complete.

"Not a single dime out of taxpayer’s money. This needs to be community-driven, 100 percent," Huehn said.

The foundation is looking to raise those funds through personal donations and sponsorships. The Leon Springs Trail Foundation said its first objective, however, is to get the engineering plans completed by the end of next year.

"Once it’s built, there will be more of an interest to connect it to the existing Leon Springs Trailway System. Also, it falls right on the path of the old Spanish trail, which is trying to build a usable trail from Saint Augustine to San Diego," Huehn said.

The Leon Valley Springs Trail Foundation said that hiring an engineer to draft plans would likely cost somewhere between $100,000 to $120,000.

The foundation is holding a fundraising event from 6-10 p.m. Friday at Mi Casa Tamales on 25930 I-10 West.

There will be live music and food. Tickets are $10 each. Kids 12 and under get in free.

For more information, visit LeonSpringsTrail.org.