Trueheart Ranch Nature Park

Trueheart Ranch Nature Park is open to the public and currently has several trails available to explore. “Acequia Trail” and “Yucca Trail” are open at the park. 

Trueheart Ranch Nature Park contains 351 acres of pecan orchards, livestock grazing and riparian woodland that fronts on the San Antonio River. The property was purchased by James and Petra Trueheart and developed in 1848 for agricultural and irrigation purposes.  The Truehearts constructed a two-story house of rock and stucco and they referred to it as “Casa Vieja” [“Old House”]. This house still remains in restored condition on the site. The master plan calls for this house to become the center of all activities proposed for the site.

This master planning effort is the first step toward a comprehensive long-range visioning process to identify areas for preservation, restoration, interpretation, and recreation preserving as much of the site as possible. The planning process began with identifying and meeting with stakeholders that currently use the park and access the river. Discussions with the stakeholders provided the planning team with great insight to the character of the site. Two alternative concepts were developed utilizing a workshop process to establish priorities, develop concepts, and build consensus. These plans were presented at a public meeting and ranking was developed for features to be included in the master plan and also to set priorities for the future development of these features.