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In response to the explosive growth in acquisition and development of park properties classified as “Natural Area Parks” and “Linear Hike/Bike Trail Systems”, the Park Police Division has created a new patrol unit specially adapted to patrol these popular and unique recreation resources. As of July 1, 2005, the Park Police Division has implemented an ATV/Bike Patrol Unit to effectively and proactively patrol the large, undeveloped Natural Area Parks scattered throughout Bexar County, as well as the Linear Park trail systems currently under construction in the Leon Creek, Salado Creek, San Antonio River and Medina River basins.
Our Ongoing Commitment to Keep Your Parks Safe!
By 2010, San Antonio will have nearly 12,000 acres of Natural Area Parks added to the vast array of recreational amenities the City has to offer. Along with the large, pristine properties, the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department is also in the process of designing more than 40 miles of Linear Trail Systems, to include trails along much of Salado Creek, Leon Creek, Olmos Basin, the San Antonio River, Medina River and Stone Oak Park.
Obviously, these new recreation resources will need to protected and patrolled like all other recreation resources in our community.
However, because of the nature of these developments (very large size, difficult terrain and remote access) the Park Police Division recognizes that these resources cannot be patrolled by “traditional” means (police cruisers or foot-based patrols). As such, Park Police Division and Parks and Recreation Department Management have quickly responded to these new challenges by shifting patrol personnel and resources to accommodate the unique needs of these new recreation areas.
ATV/Bike Patrol Unit Elements
The central task of this new Unit is to keep your Natural Area Parks and Trail Systems and recreational areas safer and user-friendly. In addition to patrolling these areas for the safety of park users and the recreational resources themselves, the officers of the Unit will also “be on the lookout” for:
§ Environmental crimes offenders
If any issues arise regarding the need for special patrol in one of these areas, those issues can be directed to the ATV/Bike Unit Supervisor, Sergeant Alma Ryan, at 877-1741 or 207-8590.
For more information send an email to parkpolice@sanantonio.gov. 
Over the past 10 years, the focus of the recreation resource inventory of the City of San Antonio has begun to evolve, with the acquisition of several thousand acres of a new recreation resource: Natural Area Parks. This new resource type seeks to keep these parklands in their “natural state”, to be enjoyed for generations of San Antonians to come as a “recreational oasis” from our rapidly growing urban environment. 
Eight uniquely trained Park Police Officers and a veteran Park Police Supervisor have been selected to provide customer and resource protection services at the Natural Area Parks and Linear Park Trails Systems under their assignment. Their training includes certification in the rigorous International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) training course, along with survival skills training such as GPS navigation and First Aid/CPR, and training in environmental crimes awareness and interdiction.
The Unit is currently divided into three two-member patrol teams, along with two officers specifically trained and assigned to operate the Division’s newest patrol craft, a specially outfitted 4 X 4 All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). As new Natural Area Parks are added and Linear Trail System sections are opened for public use, the ATV/Bike Unit will add to its ranks, in both personnel and equipment.
§ Report obvious park safety hazards
§ Report work orders for trail systems upkeep/repairs