National Park Trust Protects Cultural Landscape of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

May 20, 2021

National Park Site is expanded by 44 acres

Washington, D.C. (May 20, 2021) –National Park Trust announced today the completion of a land acquisition that expands San Antonio Missions National Historical Park by 44 acres and further protects this unique cultural landscape with its archaeological artifacts. The property, which has now been transferred to the National Park Service, is adjacent to the original San Juan Acequia which was built to support daily life at the missions during the Spanish colonial period.

The Park Trust combined its knowledge of real estate principles with its experience working with the National Park Service on real estate transfers to meet the owner’s deadline for sale of the property. The Park Trust held the property until the Park Service was officially able to accept the property.

The undeveloped acreage is east of the San Antonio River, and its fields are within reach of Mission Espada and Mission San Juan. The acquisition expands green space accessible to the public, protects open space in an area of residential suburban development, and protects land important to the history of the missions.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Superintendent Christine Jacobs said about the newly acquired acreage, “Thanks to the National Park Trust, the inclusion of these lands within the park’s authorized boundary will enable the park to better protect internationally significant Spanish Colonial features, including the San Juan Acequia.”

National Park Trust Executive Director Grace Lee said, “We are very pleased to partner with the National Park Service on this project that expands the boundary of this historical park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important part of Texas history.”

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust is a non-profit dedicated to the protection of our national parks. The Park Trust preserves parks today and creates park stewards for tomorrow by acquiring the missing pieces of our national parks and building a pipeline of future caretakers of our public lands and waters by getting kids to parks. Since 1983, the Park Trust has completed 76 land projects in 32 states, one U.S. Territory, and Washington, D.C. Our national Buddy Bison Programs and Kids to Parks Day support 300 Title I schools annually in under-served communities. Find out more at parktrust.org.

 Media Contact: Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org.

###