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On the southern edge of the Hill Country town of Kerrville, you'll find one of the crown jewels in that town's civic pride: the Kerrville-Schreiner Park. Though it's occasionally referred to by its former name, “Kerrville State Park,” it's operated and maintained by the city's Parks and Recreation Department. It's the recreational heart of Kerrville, and has served as a popular gathering spot in the Hill Country since the early 20th century.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This was a job creation program to help the young American men who were hardest hit by the financial downturn, giving them productive jobs and the income they so desperately needed. One of the best- known facets of the CCC was the creation or expansion of parks, buildings, and other public gathering spaces.
It was under the banner of the CCC that the area that would become Kerrville-Schreiner Park was developed. In 1934, the city of Kerrville donated over 500 acres to the Texas State Parks Board for development under the federal umbrella of the CCC. The park was completed in 1937, and was originally operated by the state, carrying the name of Kerrville State Park. In 1990, the state renamed the park Kerrville-Schreiner State Park, and in 2004, the state of Texas turned the park over to the city of Kerrville, at which point the “state” part of the park's moniker was dropped.
The name Schreiner can be found all over the town of Kerrville, as it commemorates one of the area's most prominent citizens. Charles Schreiner, Sr., originally from San Antonio, and his family settled in the Kerrville area in the early 1850s. His storied history included being a captain in the Confederate Army and a renowned Texas Ranger. He went on to establish the Schreiner Institute (which is now known as Schreiner University) in 1923, and his enormous mansion in Kerrville is on the National Register of Historic Places. Schreiner's legacy was honored further in 1990 when the state added his name to the park, and this was retained when the city of Kerrville took over the park in 2004.
Kerrville-Schreiner Park really is perfectly located. While it's still within the city limits, it offers a well-maintained natural setting on the shore of the Guadalupe River (the section of the river that abuts the park is often referred to as Kerrville Lake). Its 517-acre spread provides plenty of space for guests to enjoy, both on the river and on dry land. Its size makes it the largest municipal park in Kerrville.
Let's start on the water. The park's frontage on the Guadalupe provides guests an excellent swimming hole, and there are several designated spots along the banks for anglers to cast a line, as well. For those interested in spending some quality time on the water, the park has an official vendor for kayak, canoe, and paddle board rentals. Kerrville Kayak and Canoe operates their “on the water” location at the park; they are there on location during the weekends during the spring and fall, and seven days a week during the summer. Their main shop in town even has fly fishing supplies!
Once you've had your fun on the river, you've barely scratched the surface of the recreation options available to
you here. The park has over ten miles of hiking and biking trails, and it's a great setting for nature lovers, too. With its riverside setting, Kerrville-Schreiner Park attracts plenty of wildlife, including various species of deer, foxes, and birds. The Pollinator Garden here (formerly known as the Butterfly Garden) has been named an official Monarch Way Station, serving as an official migration spot for the majestic orange butterflies. August and September are the prime months to observe numerous species of butterflies here; however, keep in mind the Pollinator Garden itself is available for private events only.
The park is loaded with other facilities to take advantage of during your stay. Picnic areas with grills are located throughout the grounds, and there are places to enjoy games of sand volleyball and basketball, too. The little ones even have a playground to enjoy! If you have a larger gathering or event to plan, Kerrville-Schreiner Park has shelters and buildings to accommodate up to 100 guests, including an amphitheater, adjoining recreation hall, and a dining hall. Both the recreation and dining halls have full kitchens, bars, and grills. These buildings are all available for rent, depending upon availability; please see the park's informational paragraph toward the end of this article for contact and rental information. Also, check their website (linked at the beginning of this article) for information regarding special events at the park!
Kerrville-Schreiner Park honors the town's history and heritage while offering adventure and relaxation to all its welcomed guests. Its full spectrum of attractions, perched in the beautiful heart of the Texas Hill Country, make it an important place to visit during your next vacation getaway!
At Backroads Reservations, we're proud to call the Hill Country our home—and we love introducing our guests to fun spots like Kerrville-Schreiner Park. Touch base with us, and we'll help you find the most unique, comfortable, fun, and affordable vacation rentals around! No matter what kind of getaway you've got in mind, we've got you covered.
Kerrville-Schreiner Park is located at 2385 Bandera Highway, Kerrville, Texas 78028, and their phone number is (830) 257-7300. The park is open 8 AM to 5 PM daily year round, excluding holidays. Admission for adults 13 to 64 is $6.00; for children 12 and under, $2.00; and seniors 65 and over, $2.00. Admission fees are not to exceed $15.00 per vehicle, no matter the number of people in the vehicle. For facility rental rates, please check the park's Fees Page. Before visiting, please familiarize yourself with the park's Rules and Regulations.
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The Hill Country features numerous fun and fascinating towns, replete with history, great food, night life, and shops. Get an idea of what the towns close to Kerrville-Schreiner Park have to offer by checking out the following links:
Bandera (22 miles south)
Boerne (23 miles southeast)
Comfort (17 miles east)
Fredericksburg (27 miles northeast)
Helotes (54 miles southeast)
Hondo (52 miles south)
Kerrville (right in town!)
Medina (20 miles southwest)
Pipe Creek (31 miles southeast)
Tarpley (36 miles south)
Utopia (55 miles southwest)
Vanderpool (44 miles southwest)