Woodlawn Lake Community Association

Woodlawn Lake Park History

Woodlawn Lake Park History

The land on which our communities now sit was originally part of the eight leagues of public domain granted San Antonio by the King of Spain and later deeded to it by the First Texas Congress. Early land investors were Samuel Maverick and David Alexander. In 1887, the West End Company bought 1000 acres of the land. It dammed the gulley through which the Alazan Creek ran and sank two artesian wells, thus creating an 80 acre lake. Dirt for the dam was dug from what is now the casting pond.The dirt dam would also serve as a roadbed for the trolley that would run from downtown to the new suberb.
The Lake was improved as the area was developed. In 1919,the park was given to the city, with the proviso that "this propertyis to be used for park and pleasure purposes for the benefit of the residents of San Antonio,Texas, and the public generally, and for no other purpose." In 1920, the name was changed to Woodlawn Lake.
In the 1960's and 1970's, we dealt with silting,overgrowth and maintenance problems. In 1981, the lake was drained and excavated to a 10 foot level. In 1994,voters approved $2 million in bond money for the park. Area residents asked for clean water,better lighting and security, a nature trail and bike and running track. Many of these requests have been realized. More improvements and planning are taking place as more bond monies for the park become available.