SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Arboretum will not open regularly to the public until at least 2028, organizers said, but the site will host an early public event during Fiesta 2026 to preview the development.
The arboretum will hold its inaugural ¡Viva El Bosque! on Sunday at its site along SE Military Drive, allowing visitors limited access to portions of the future 238-acre public garden.
Organizers said the event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include a 5K nature run, live music, interactive educational activities, and opportunities for visitors to receive free trees.
They said attendees will also participate in programs led by bird specialists, local artists, and certified arborists offering instruction on tree care.
The arboretum plan outlines a long-term development project designed to create an outdoor space focused on conservation, research, and public education. The site is located at 4226 SE Military Drive.
The concept for the arboretum was introduced in 2021 by former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros and later developed through a planning process that included input from more than 18,000 residents.
The master plan includes trails, a tree canopy walkway, an amphitheater, and outdoor classrooms. Construction will proceed in phases over the next two decades.
Current work is in Phase 0, which includes fundraising and site preparation. Phase 1 will focus on initial gardens, tree groves, parking facilities, and a visitor center.
Organizers said limited private events have already taken place on the property as development continues.
Once completed, the San Antonio Arboretum is expected to be the largest arboretum in South Texas and the second largest in Texas after the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
