The Government Canyon Story

Joey Klein and Kathy Summers, TCC 2

In our travels around the globe as the Subaru\IMBA Trail Care Crew 2, we have seen many places, people and events that will inspire us forever. One of these places is the Government Canyon State Natural Area, a magical oasis tucked away in a state known for being hot and desolate. Ironically, we found Texas to be one of our favorite states and home to some of the best mountain biking in the U.S.! We also found out that 98% of all the land in Texas is privately owned. This means that the remaining 2% of public land is getting tugged and pulled in every direction! Land open for recreation is rare and rarer still is land open to mountain biking. This story is how a few dedicated cyclists devoted them selves to acquire and protect a sacred piece of land, which can now be enjoyed by all.

Nestled in the small town of Helotes, Hank and Kyle Cunningham run Helotes Bicycle out of the old stage coach stop-post office. The history there is rich and Hank's antique bicycle collection is like a blast through the past! Years ago, the Cunningham's did much of their recreating on a nearby ranch, there in lies the relatively lush Government and Wildcat Canyons. When the ranch came up for sale, Kyle couldnšt stand to see that beautiful area developed (like so much of the recent San Antonio urban sprawl). Kyle teamed up with Danielle Milam to form the Government Canyon Coalition and in 1991 they managed to get the ranch property off the auction block.

The task of getting a prime piece of real-estate set aside seemed impossible, but Kyle and Danielle were able to use the unique qualities of the area to protect it. Government Canyon is home for two endangered bird species, the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo. Certain archeological and historic sites were also suspect. Most importantly, the majority of the property lies on the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. The recharge zone is the only water supply for San Antonio. The Natural Area is a mesmerizing place, with rolling hills of oak-juniper savannas, open-air rock outcroppings and intricate cool canyons are just some of the features that make Government Canyon so attractive.

The GCC got the word out to the Trust for Public Land who led negotiations with the Edwards Aquifer Authority, the San Antonio Water System, the Texas Wildlife and Parks Department, officials from Bexar County and the City of San Antonio. In 1993, this multi-faceted group purchased the bulk of what was to become the Government Canyon State Natural Area. In the years that followed Texas Wildlife and Parks Department made two other land purchases. As of March 1999 the Government Canyon State Natural Area has matured into 6,643 acres and is some of the sweetest public land in Texas! GCSNA is one of the largest urban natural areas in the nation and is only 15 minutes away from downtown San Antonio. The Natural Area will be a delicate gem to manage especially with the large population of its neighboring city.

Deirdre Hisler is the park manager for GCSNA and we would like to nominate her for the land manager Nobel Peace Prize. She has been able to keep the wolves at bay while at the same time utilizing the future user groups to help shape the Natural Area. Hank Cunningham heads up the mountain bike patrol who up keep the existing ranch roads, trails and boundaries. The bike patrol is there to educate trespassers and to get them involved in possible volunteer work. GCSNA is almost ready for public use, although itšs been a gradual and steady process to ensure its success.

Dennis Kruse of Hill Country Cycles was the catalyst that brought us to GCSNA. Thanks to Dennis we formed a bond with the people of Government Canyon and the land managers who will sculpt it's future. We walked some of the proposed trails with Chris Beckom (TWPD Trails and Master Planner), George Kegley (TWPD Resource Specialist) and Deirdre. We discussed the many sensitive issues that will make trail design at GCSNA so important and we flagged out a new single track using an approved corridor to be the first official trail incorporated into the new Natural Area. There are 41 miles of proposed trails for GCSNA and almost all of it is multi-use with only one pedestrian-only trail (located near endangered bird habitat and will be closed during nesting season). The existing trails we toured will need some adjustment but they have potential to be some of the most exciting we've seen!

On June 5,"National Trails Day", GCSNA hosted its first ever trailbuilding workday. TCC2 led a small army of 70 volunteers, representing Hill Country Cyclists, GCNHA Board Members and Bike Patrol, Trail Runners, Orienteering, Volksmarching, Hiking, Equestrian, Lake Flato Architects, San Antonio Express News, Senior Citizens, Volunteers of U.S. Forest Service Trail Crews and the South Texas Off-Road Mountainbikers. The many different user groups joined forces to transform a boring old ranch road into a swooping playful single track. George Kegley inspected the 3,000-ft. of new single track and compared it to some of his favorite trails in Colorado! We ate well due to the lunch provided by HCC and Helotes Bicycle. Mark Trevino of STORM assisted with media coverage and STORM made a generous contribution to IMBA. Afterwards we all went out for a huge multi-use excursion on the trail we created!

We spent almost a week with the folks of Government Canyon and we experienced why it is such a special place. Kyle Cunningham also believed in this place and chose to go in through the front door, which proved to be a long and laborious journey. It took years of patient negotiations to turn her dream into what is now a reality. Texans now have another 6643 acres of Natural Area to enjoy. We learned a great deal on this visit; especially that sometimes it only takes one, to make a difference that may benefit everyone.

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	The Government Canyon Story Joey Klein and Kathy Summers, TCC 2 In our travels around the globe as the Subaru\IMBA Trail Care Crew 2, we have seen many places, people and events that will inspire us forever. One of these places is the Government Canyon State Natural Area, a magical oasis tucked away in a state known for being hot and desolate. Ironically, we found Texas to be one of our favorite states and home to some of the best mountain biking in the U.S.! We also found out that 98% of all the land in Texas is privately owned. This means that the remaining 2% of public land is getting tugged and pulled in every direction! Land open for recreation is rare and rarer still is land open to mountain biking. This story is how a few dedicated cyclists devoted them selves to acquire and protect a sacred piece of land, which can now be enjoyed by all. Nestled in the small town of Helotes, Hank and Kyle Cunningham run Helotes Bicycle out of the old stage coach stop-post office. The history there is rich and Hank's antique bicycle collection is like a blast through the past! Years ago, the Cunningham's did much of their recreating on a nearby ranch, there in lies the relatively lush Government and Wildcat Canyons. When the ranch came up for sale, Kyle couldnšt stand to see that beautiful area developed (like so much of the recent San Antonio urban sprawl). Kyle teamed up with Danielle Milam to form the Government Canyon Coalition and in 1991 they managed to get the ranch property off the auction block. The task of getting a prime piece of real-estate set aside seemed impossible, but Kyle and Danielle were able to use the unique qualities of the area to protect it. Government Canyon is home for two endangered bird species, the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo. Certain archeological and historic sites were also suspect. Most importantly, the majority of the property lies on the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. The recharge zone is the only water supply for San Antonio. The Natural Area is a mesmerizing place, with rolling hills of oak-juniper savannas, open-air rock outcroppings and intricate cool canyons are just some of the features that make Government Canyon so attractive. The GCC got the word out to the Trust for Public Land who led negotiations with the Edwards Aquifer Authority, the San Antonio Water System, the Texas Wildlife and Parks Department, officials from Bexar County and the City of San Antonio. In 1993, this multi-faceted group purchased the bulk of what was to become the Government Canyon State Natural Area. In the years that followed Texas Wildlife and Parks Department made two other land purchases. As of March 1999 the Government Canyon State Natural Area has matured into 6,643 acres and is some of the sweetest public land in Texas! GCSNA is one of the largest urban natural areas in the nation and is only 15 minutes away from downtown San Antonio. The Natural Area will be a delicate gem to manage especially with the large population of its neighboring city. Deirdre Hisler is the park manager for GCSNA and we would like to nominate her for the land manager Nobel Peace Prize. She has been able to keep the wolves at bay while at the same time utilizing the future user groups to help shape the Natural Area. Hank Cunningham heads up the mountain bike patrol who up keep the existing ranch roads, trails and boundaries. The bike patrol is there to educate trespassers and to get them involved in possible volunteer work. GCSNA is almost ready for public use, although itšs been a gradual and steady process to ensure its success. Dennis Kruse of Hill Country Cycles was the catalyst that brought us to GCSNA. Thanks to Dennis we formed a bond with the people of Government Canyon and the land managers who will sculpt it's future. We walked some of the proposed trails with Chris Beckom (TWPD Trails and Master Planner), George Kegley (TWPD Resource Specialist) and Deirdre. We discussed the many sensitive issues that will make trail design at GCSNA so important and we flagged out a new single track using an approved corridor to be the first official trail incorporated into the new Natural Area. There are 41 miles of proposed trails for GCSNA and almost all of it is multi-use with only one pedestrian-only trail (located near endangered bird habitat and will be closed during nesting season). The existing trails we toured will need some adjustment but they have potential to be some of the most exciting we've seen! On June 5,"National Trails Day", GCSNA hosted its first ever trailbuilding workday. TCC2 led a small army of 70 volunteers, representing Hill Country Cyclists, GCNHA Board Members and Bike Patrol, Trail Runners, Orienteering, Volksmarching, Hiking, Equestrian, Lake Flato Architects, San Antonio Express News, Senior Citizens, Volunteers of U.S. Forest Service Trail Crews and the South Texas Off-Road Mountainbikers. The many different user groups joined forces to transform a boring old ranch road into a swooping playful single track. George Kegley inspected the 3,000-ft. of new single track and compared it to some of his favorite trails in Colorado! We ate well due to the lunch provided by HCC and Helotes Bicycle. Mark Trevino of STORM assisted with media coverage and STORM made a generous contribution to IMBA. Afterwards we all went out for a huge multi-use excursion on the trail we created! We spent almost a week with the folks of Government Canyon and we experienced why it is such a special place. Kyle Cunningham also believed in this place and chose to go in through the front door, which proved to be a long and laborious journey. It took years of patient negotiations to turn her dream into what is now a reality. Texans now have another 6643 acres of Natural Area to enjoy. We learned a great deal on this visit; especially that sometimes it only takes one, to make a difference that may benefit everyone.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright