Trails
Type: Concrete
/ Length (Miles): 0.40
Park Lights
Is the Tennis Court lighted? Yes
San Antonio parks offer our residents the opportunity to enjoy quality time with their family and friends in the great outdoors. Pack a picnic lunch and head out to the park to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine today.
Programs & Classes
Alcohol is prohibited at this park, amenities are first come, first serve.
Amenities Available for Rental
To inquire on the rental of Highland Park click here to check for availability before contacting reservations. Highland Park can be rented for special events at a rate of $50 a day. This does not include the community center.
Related Facilities
Park History
Highland Park is a 4.9 acre tract of land purchased by the City from L.P. and Celine Peck in December 1925 for $35,000. Peck's Highland Improvement Company developed the Highland Park subdivision beginning in 1913. Except for tennis courts, the park was undeveloped in its early years.
When the neighborhood began to grow rapidly in the 1920s, the Highland Park Improvement Association asked City Council in 1929 for a branch library, museum and rustic park to be developed in the area. No action was taken on the request, but in 1930, architects were hired to design a community center for Highland Park that was completed by 1932 in spite of the Depression.
A recreation director was hired in the 1930s and the center was the most active in the city, sponsoring a drama club and parade floats. The tennis courts were topped with asphalt and used for city-wide tournaments, and the newest in playground equipment was installed. Highland Park has remained an important gathering spot for neighborhood residents for 65 years.
In 1997, the community center was named for James A. Bode, an active community leader in the Highland Park neighborhood. Bode founded the Highland Park Neighborhood Association, serving as its president for two terms after stints as treasurer and vice president. He also served on the Zoning Commission. Bode worked for Northeast Independent School District in Special Education for 30 years after spending seven years as a teacher at Seguin High School. Bode died on Jan. 1, 1996, at age 57. The re-naming was approved by City Council on Jan. 30, 1997.