Try buying tract from developer
The front-page story on the proposed acquisition by the city of Tracts 2, 3 and 4 of the Voelcker family ranch land for a North Side city park is great news ("Prized property could be oasis," Wednesday).
The only news that would have been even better would be if Tract 1 of the ranch, the 151 acres between Lockhill-Selma and Northwest Military, had not already been sold to KB Home for development.
Why not consider some effort to get that land back for what KB Home paid for it before it is developed and make the entire ranch into a park?
Although it would require a park entrance on both sides of Northwest Military Highway or some kind of pedestrian crossover, it seems it would be well worth the effort to at least explore this possibility.
—Bill Johnson
Land is a North Side treasure
I praise Mayor Phil Hardberger for the tremendous leadership he has shown on the Voelcker ranch and the city's future. A park on the North Side, out from Loop 410 yet inside Loop 1604, would be a tremendous benefit for an area that I thought was long lost to urban sprawl.
We have the last undeveloped natural beauty in that region of our city, and it's available as parkland.
I don't know about anyone else, but I find that truly exciting! Brackenridge Park has always been popular, but it just isn't enough for a city our size.
Anyone familiar with how development has impacted the North and Northwest Sides should be extremely grateful for this little piece of natural land. If the citizens of San Antonio don't approve that upcoming bond that would allow us this full 311 acres of treasure, then I truly fear for any quality for our local future.
—Bill Hurley
Better than thousands of homes
The mayor's park plans are much better than having a few thousand houses, condos or something that will take a lot of our precious water from residents.
There ought to be a limit on how many people can live in San Antonio and surrounding areas, but that will never happen.
The water here will only support so many people.
You think you have it bad now with water restrictions looming? Well, think again when the population surpasses 2 million or 3 million people.
If another water source isn't found, there are a lot of problems coming. You think gas prices are bad?
—Tom Williams Sr.