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5 parks around San Antonio to visit this spring

San Antonio – Spring is here and it is time to get outside, but you don’t have to go far to enjoy the great outdoors. These 5 San Antonio area parks are great spots to enjoy the weather before the summer heat arrives. Brackenridge Park - The park is home to a stretch of the San Antonio River, the Japanese Tea Garden, Sunken Garden Theater, the San Antonio Zoo, Lambert Beach and Tony “Skipper” Martinez ball fields. Hemisfair Park - Hemisfair is a community with residences, local businesses and three public parks in the heart of San Antonio. To learn more about these parks as well as other parks to visit around the city, head to the San Antonio Parks & Recreation website.

Our Native Daughters bring Black women's voices to forefront

This image released by Smithsonian Channel shows, from left, Rhiannon Giddens, Allison Russell, Leyla McCalla and Amythyst Kiah, of Our Native Daughters, near Parks, La., on Jan. 29, 2018. The group will appear in the documentary "Reclaiming History: Our Native Daughters" premiering Monday on Smithsonian Channel. (Terri Fensel/Smithsonian Channel via AP)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Playing a banjo as a Black female artist is a form of activism for the four members of Our Native Daughters. Why does someone assume if you’re Black, you must be doing urban music, whatever that means?” said Russell. “Songs of Our Native Daughters” which came out on the Smithsonian Folkways record label in 2019, focused on the stories of women during the transatlantic slave trade, but also the triumphs of Black women.

San Antonio woman’s mashed potato hack goes viral on Buzzfeed

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman has recently started trending on Buzzfeed and TikTok thanks to her clever hack about how she makes mashed potatoes. Jourdyn “Jeaux” Parks shared her mashed potato routine to TikTok on Dec. 30 and gave advice for people who prefer their skin on and off when making squishy spuds. Here’s where her trick comes in though, she only uses about a cup of water to boil the potatoes. The rest is chicken or beef stock, depending on what you’re going to serve your mashed potatoes with. For the full rundown of how Parks makes her potatoes click here.

Best reasons to visit each of the San Antonio Missions

The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was designed to protect and preserve four Spanish frontier missions: Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan Capistrano and Mission Espada. Here are some really great reasons to check out the San Antonio Missions on the South Side. Mission San José at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Live From the Southside)Mission San Juan CapistranoMission San Juan Capistrano was built in East Texas in 1716 and was later moved to San Antonio in 1731. Mission San José at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Live From the Southside)By bus, VIVA Bus Line 40, also known as the VIVA Missions Route, has stops at all 4 Missions. By taxi, San Antonio Taxi is one of San Antonio’s largest taxi service and Yellow Cab is owned by the Greater San Antonio Transportation Company, San Antonio’s largest taxi service.

Broncos' A.J. Bouye suspended six games for PED violation

Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. “Yeah, I was disappointed for him,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said about an hour after the league suspended Bouye. Missing the final four games of 2020 will cost Bouye $2.34 million. The suspension would hang over Bouye into 2021 when he’d have to sit out the first two regular-season games. Given the injuries and suspension at cornerback, Parks said he was getting a crash course in the Broncos’ 2020 playbook.

Community groups work to close the green space gap, creating park equality

SAN ANTONIO – Gabriel Gonzales and Natalia Tovar, with St. Timothy COPS Core Team, have helped turn Benavidez Park, which was once crime-ridden, into a thriving community space. Gonzales said the park was used as a meeting spot for nefarious activities before the beautification. Homer Garcia III, director of the City of San Antonio Parks & Recreation Division, saic parks are used by everyone regardless of income or background. It belongs to everybody,” Garcia said. “Our park system is for everybody, not just a single demographic or single population in San Antonio,” Garcia said.

COVID-19 sheds light on park inequities, importance of investment

SAN ANTONIO – Equitable access to neighborhood parks has received renewed attention after the coronavirus pandemic proved how essential they are for communities. In September, the city of San Antonio reopened amenities at city parks including basketball courts, playgrounds and exercise equipment. Edward Landry and Avian Barry took their three children and dog to Dawson Park as soon as it reopened. This year, San Antonio parks ranked 75 out of 100, according to the Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit that focuses on creating and saving green spaces. The city is committed to equitable access to parks, according to Homer Garcia III, the director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Zimbabwe elephants died from bacterial disease, say experts

Wildlife vets take samples from dead elephants found in Hwange National park, Zimbabwe, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. (AP Photo)HARARE – Parks authorities in Zimbabwe said Monday that the recent deaths of elephants have been caused by a bacterial disease that has previously affected elephants in Asia and other animals in southern Africa, although more tests will still be carried out. In recent years poachers in Zimbabwe have poisoned dozens of elephants with cyanide and then have taken their ivory tusks to sell them to illegal traders. Not enough information is known about the disease’s effect on local elephants to predict a long-term outcome, he said. “Yes they die, but honestly this is just nothing, a drop in the ocean because we have over 84,000 elephants in Zimbabwe, which is overpopulation already,” he said.

Bexar County parks, Heritage Center set to reopen for public use on Monday

SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County parks and the Bexar Heritage Center are set to reopen to the public on Monday, Sept. 28, according to the county. The county’s playscapes, basketball and tennis courts, and outdoor pavilions will reopen to the public, the county said in a statement. Betty Bueche, director of Bexar Heritage and Parks, said she was glad residents could once again utilize shared natural areas. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Bexar County parks and our other shared natural areas have served as a place of mental refuge for our residents. Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the Bexar Heritage Center as well as social distancing markers.

These Texas and Louisiana state parks are closed due to Hurricane Laura

Several Texas and Louisiana state parks remain closed in the wake of Hurricane Laura which made landfall Thursday morning. According to officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, state parks along the Texas coast and Louisiana border were closed Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Lauras arrival. Several state parks in Louisiana were also closed this week due to Hurricane Laura. pic.twitter.com/pOXHLZNhzt Texas Game Warden (@TexasGameWarden) August 27, 2020The Texas parks that are currently closed due to Hurricane Laura are:Atlanta State ParkBattleship Texas State Historic SiteBrazos Bend State ParkCaddo Lake State ParkGalveston Island State ParkLake Livingston State ParkMartin Creek Lake State ParkMartin Dies, Jr. State ParkSea Rim State ParkSheldon Lake State ParkVillage Creek State ParkFor a full list of state park closures and updates on openings, click here. The Louisiana state parks Instagram page earlier this week announced the closure of:Bistineau State ParkCypremort Point State ParkFairview-Riverside State ParkGrand Isle State ParkNorth Toledo Bend State ParkPalmetto Island State ParkSt. Bernard State ParkSam Houston Jones State ParkSouth Toledo Bend State ParkHurricane Laura made landfall at close to 1 a.m. Thursday morning near Cameron, Louisiana as an extremely dangerous Category 4 Hurricane with sustained winds of 150 mph and gusts up to 185 mph.

San Antonio, Bexar County, River Authority parks closed for Labor Day weekend

SAN ANTONIO The City of San Antonio is joining Bexar County in closing its parks over Labor Day weekend. Temporarily closing parks encourages the community to stay home, wear face coverings, and practice physical distancing. The San Antonio River Authority announced this week that its parks will be closed including:Confluence Park (310 W. Mitchell St.)Portions of the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River WalkPavilion along the river near Roosevelt ParkConcepcin Portal and adjoining green space near Concepcin ParkPavilion along the river between Theo Ave. and Mission Rd. Pavilion along the river between Mission Rd. SARA encourages people to wear masks and practice social distancing while on the trails.

Phaedra Parks on Directing Rayshard Brooks' Funeral (Exclusive)

Rayshard Brooks was laid to rest on Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, and Phaedra Parks is reflecting on what it meant to her to help direct the funeral service. A number of Brooks' family and friends were in attendance, including his wife, Tomika Miller, and a few notable celebrities, T.I. According to Parks, after the funeral, she accompanied his widow to the location where he was killed, and they spoke about his legacy. "As a little girl I really didnt know if I thought racism really existed, until I was hired to do some tutoring for a white family," Parks recalled. RELATED CONTENT:Rayshard Brooks Remembered as a Caring Father During Atlanta FuneralFired Atlanta Officer Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Charged With MurderMeghan McCain Calls for Police Reform Following Rayshard Brooks' DeathBillie Eilish Demands Justice for Rayshard Brooks After His Death

Photos: Christopher Columbus statue at San Antonio park vandalized amid criticism

SAN ANTONIO A Christopher Columbus statue at a downtown San Antonio park was found vandalized Thursday morning. Photos show the statue at Columbus Park, located at 500 Columbus St., splashed with red paint. A Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Park in downtown San Antonio was found vandalized on Thursday, June 25, 2020. (KSAT)During Thursdays meeting, Trevino acknowledged the vandalism that happened overnight and asked the statue be taken down pending a council vote. Last week, he filed a council consideration request, asking that the City Council place the item on the Governance Committees agenda.

Have some ‘reel fun’ close to home at these San Antonio fishing spots

SAN ANTONIO – If you’re looking take a quick trip outdoors, you may want to check out one of these local fishing spots. Even if you aren’t a fan of fishing, some of these fishing destinations also feature hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and camping. Woodlawn Lake ParkLocated at 221 Alexander Avenue, this is one of the most popular fishing spots in San Antonio, according to Yelp users. Elmendorf Lake ParkLocated at 3700 W Commerce Street, Elmendorf Lake Park allows fishing from the bank or a pier overlooking the water. For more information, click here.

Disney's parks were its biggest profit-maker, now they could be its biggest drag on earnings

Getty ImagesLast year, Disney's Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products segment was its fastest-growing profit driver. However, its theme parks are expected to take the biggest hit. Disney theme parks are closed as the coronavirus continues to spread across the United States on March 14, 2020 in Anaheim, California. Currently, analysts are split on when theme parks will reopen in the U.S., in particular. Hodulik predicts that profit in the Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products division will fall around $500 million this year and $200 million in 2021.

cnbc.com

1,500 free trees to be given away at annual Pearl event

SAN ANTONIO – The annual Jammin’ Jams fruit and nut tree adoption event is coming back to The Pearl. The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department is giving away 1,500 free trees starting at 8 a.m. on Jan. 25. This event is very popular and arbor-enthusiasts wanting a free tree should arrive early. You do not have to be a resident of San Antonio to receive a free tree. 8 Texas treehouses you can rent for the weekendThe Pearl is located at 312 Pearl Parkway in San Antonio.