SAN ANTONIO – For many families in San Antonio, camping out at city parks during the Easter holiday has become a cherished tradition, akin to the excitement of Easter baskets and chocolate bunnies. As the long weekend approaches, local families are gearing up for a festive outdoor experience that brings joy and togetherness.
In anticipation of the celebrations, families are already staking their claims on prime spots within city parks, particularly Brackenridge Park, which is one of several locations where the city will temporarily lift the overnight camping curfew.
To secure their favorite areas, some families have taken to using caution tape and even chaining chairs to picnic tables, marking their territory in hopes of ensuring a good spot for the festivities.
Typically, families begin pitching their tents on Thursday night. However, as of Tuesday morning, many were already preparing. John Daigle, a seasoned camper at Brackenridge Park, voiced his concerns about the crowded conditions he experienced last year. “This whole intersection had, like, a car show going through. They have live music over there. There’s people walking around all over. It’s very hard to find parking,” he recalled.
To avoid the chaos, Daigle took proactive measures, using bright red plastic tape marked with “danger” to cordon off a section around a picnic table. “Four or five of us will probably camp out or fish, and that’s about it. But the whole family comes through during the day,” he explained, outlining his family’s plans for the holiday.
Meanwhile, Jaden Montez, a newcomer to San Antonio from Bryan, Texas, is still familiarizing himself with this unique local tradition. He discovered the camping arrangements through social media and was intrigued by the idea of camping in a city park. “I’ve never really seen a place where you can camp at a (city) park just for fun and all that. So it’s new for me,” he shared.
Upon his visit, Montez was taken aback by how quickly prime camping spots were claimed. However, he remained optimistic about finding a suitable area for his family gathering. “I know this park is really big and it has a lot of space, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to find something before everything’s taken,” he said.
Officially, campers are expected to wait until Thursday morning to claim their locations in the park. According to Connie Swann, a spokesperson for the city’s Parks and Recreation department, spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. However, she cautioned that the city “cannot guarantee that chaining chairs to picnic tables will save that space in advance of the Easter curfew lift.”
As families plan their celebrations, common activities include barbecues, breaking cascarones (confetti-filled eggs), and enjoying quality time together. The nature of organized events can vary from park to park, adding to the diversity of experiences available to campers.
Campers at Brackenridge Park can look forward to live entertainment starting Friday afternoon, courtesy of the Brackenridge Park Conservancy. “We are going to be hosting live music, Easter egg hunts,” announced Erin Quintanilla from the conservancy. She added that there will also be karaoke sessions on Friday and Saturday nights.
Of course, with any large gathering comes the responsibility of keeping the area clean. City Parks and Recreation employees will be present to assist with cleanup, but families are also expected to contribute. “We’ll also be having volunteers come out and help keep up with the litter, passing out trash bags, helping families clean up their area,” Quintanilla noted.
To ensure the park is left in good condition, the conservancy will host an additional litter pickup on Monday, dubbed the “Cascaron Cleanup.” Volunteers are encouraged to sign up in advance or simply show up in person at the Joske Pavilion in Brackenridge Park. The cleanup will take place from 8 a.m. to noon.
