The South Side of San Antonio now provides more than just a view of planes taking off and landing from Stinson Field airport. It is home to a 1-mile concrete trail loop, offering local residents, and visitors alike a pleasant hike and bike experience. This trail, not widely known due to its absence on city maps, is situated within a 63-acre patch of city-owned property and completed in 2022, as San Antonio Report disclosed.
While the trail may be modest in length, it serves as a connector to the Mission Reach and can be integrated into a more extensive journey. Accessing this trail is slightly tricky but possible via the Mission Reach trail connector, south of where Mission Parkway bridges over the San Antonio River. Notably, the trail provides a shaded detour from the otherwise sun-drenched areas of Mission Reach, which lack significant tree cover.
Stinson Field, bearing the namesake of aviation trailblazer Katherine Stinson, has historical significance as one of the oldest municipal airports in the United States. Katherine Stinson, the fourth woman to be licensed as a pilot in the U.S., established her family's airfield and flight school on land leased from the city in 1916. "Aside from her place in aviation history, I admire the young Stinson's gumption and creative thinking," stated an article in the San Antonio Report. Today, Stinson Municipal Airport is a general aviation hub, housing various tenants including the Texas Air Museum, two flight schools, and a café lauded for its vantage point and quality refreshments.
The trail features gradual elevation changes and is veiled by both invasive and native flora, making it desirable for runners and cyclists in search of a quaint retreat. Sadly, much of the shade comes from invasive species, like chinaberry and Ligustrum trees. Clearing efforts similar to those at Headwaters Preserve and Medina River Natural Area could take years to restore native vegetation fully.
The airport's proximity to the trail could have made it an ideal location for fitness opportunities during layovers, similar to larger city airports. Despite this potential, the Stinson trail remains relatively underutilized, yet it endures as a hidden gem for those in the know, looking for a cool reprieve amidst their outdoor adventures in Texas' escalating temperatures.
