SAN ANTONIO – A new wheelchair accessible nature trail will be unveiled at Government Canyon State Natural Area at a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m., Saturday, April 22. The 1.25-mile Discovery Trail and will connect with the ADA accessible nature playscape that was opened last month.

“The interpretive Discovery Trail was constructed with accessibility and durability in mind,” says Chris Holm, superintendent at Government Canyon State Natural Area. “With minimal elevation change and a stabilized decomposed granite surface, the new nature trail will better meet the needs of our diverse visitor base. Currently when it rains, existing trails can become muddy and has made us close our 40-mile trail system. This all-weather interpretive trail will provide our visitors with a new option for outdoor recreation when the rest of the trail system is closed.”

The interpretive nature trail project was funded by the Friends of Government Canyon through grants and donations. The initial funding for the Discovery Trail was provided by a generous grant from ImpactSA and the friends group was able to raise additional funds through private donations and a second grant from the local REI-San Antonio store.

The new trail was built over a period of one and a half years with labor from the all-volunteer Government Canyon SNA Trail Patrol and from the Texas Trails Team – a Texas State Parks and American Youthworks partnership that provides trail construction efforts throughout the entire state of Texas.

“An all-weather, accessible hiking trail was envisioned for Government Canyon SNA before it ever opened to the public back in 2005 but due to limited funding, it was never built,” says Holm. “We are excited that this great partnership with our friends group, ImpactSA and REI has led to another wonderful addition to the natural area.”

Government Canyon SNA is open weekly Friday – Monday, with additional open days during holidays.

For more information about the natural area, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.