For those of you who don’t live here (or for those of you who do and have spent the last two weeks in a cave), the spectacular new Riverwalk Extension, named “Museum Reach,” opened on May 30. The 1.3-mile extension runs from Lexington Ave. to Josephine Street, with more expansion planned for the future. Twenty-five access points (several of which are wheelchair-accessible) provide easy access.
And I do mean “spectacular.” Lush landscaping and comfortable sidewalks make for a lovely stroll along the river. Eight of the underpasses and access points feature an eclectic mix of public art. A school of eight-foot fish hand from the IH-35 overpass at Camden St (pictured). Yes, really. And they light up at night! Further down, there’s a grotto to explore.
To surmount the nine-foot elevation difference between the new section and the “old” Riverwalk, engineers installed a cool lock system at the Brooklyn Ave. bridge. Completely operated by the power of gravity (look, Ma, no pumps!), the lock attracts many bystanders as barges motor through.
A new river landing at the San Antonio Museum of Art provides a new backdoor entrance. Just outside, the original metal bridge from the restored 1884 brewery has been re-purposed as a pedestrian bridge.
Barge rides on the new section cost $10. (If the ticket booth at the Brooklyn Ave. bridge isn’t open, purchase tickets from barge operators.) An additional $5 gets you service all the way to the original Riverwalk. On the new section, the barges serve as taxis, so you can get on and get off whenever you please.
I’ve visited several times, and it’s clear that this extension is an instant hit. I just wish it could have opened during the cooler months.
For a very useful interactive map, visit the San Antonio Express-News website.
(And it means “how pretty!”)
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