San Antonio’s Hemisfair Park, a popular downtown destination known for its family-friendly atmosphere and pedestrian appeal, is one of a few city-owned parks that currently operate without a curfew. This week, the San Antonio City Council will discuss a proposal that could change that, potentially installing a curfew at the park. The discussion and potential vote are scheduled for Thursday.
The proposed change involves updating the City Code to remove Hemisfair Park from the list of exceptions to the curfew rule applied to city-owned public parks. Currently, most of these parks close from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., with only six parks exempted. Woodlawn Lake Park, one of the exceptions, closes slightly later at midnight.
According to materials prepared for the City Council meeting, the Parks and Recreation Department staff are recommending the curfew, citing support from the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation, tenants, and “surrounding stakeholders.” Residents and visitors passing through to their hotel rooms or cars would be exempt under an “affirmative defense” provision.
Councilman Marc Whyte, representing District 10, stated earlier this summer that all stakeholders were included in the discussion process. “The business owners are for it,” he confirmed.
Andres Andujar, CEO of Hemisfair, highlighted the park’s evolution over the past 11 years. “It isn’t uncommon to see people walking through at midnight, if not later,” he said. The park features Yanaguana Garden, popular eateries, the Instituto Cultural de Mexico, Magik Theatre, and access to Civic Park. Andujar noted, “Occasionally people will gather here and begin celebrations that extend past midnight. There are residents and hotel guests that will hear that activity. Without a curfew, we cannot ask those visitors that are enjoying their time at late hours to move on to another location that would be less disruptive.”
While Hemisfair Park isn’t considered a significant problem area by the San Antonio police, they have observed that more than half of all calls to the park occur between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., outside the proposed curfew hours. The proposed curfew is seen as a preventative measure.
“Perception is very critical for a destination like Hemisfair in that we need to protect,” Andujar explained. “It’s the perception of security and the actual delivery of security, so this (proposed curfew) is preventive, largely, but in response to what we have noticed in the area with more and more activity that’s taking place this year.”
The City Council will consider the proposal at its meeting on Thursday, starting at 9 a.m. Will exceptions be made for example New Year’s Even? This story will be updated.
