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Robert L. B. Tobin

Park History

Within Robert L.B. Tobin Park, a 2.1 mile segment of the Salado Creek Greenway has been constructed (between Loop 410 and Eisenhauer Road). The park includes hike and bike trails, including associated amenities, low-water crossings, bridge structures, pedestrian access features and associated project signage. T

he trailhead located off Loop 410 also features a statue of Robert L.B. Tobin, in addition to faux bois picnic tables and signage elements designed by artisan Carlos Cortés. The Tobin Endowment generously contributed 89 acres of land to the project and the trailhead enhancements. The San Antonio Parks Foundation participated in the project by facilitating the land donation and trailhead improvements. The improvements were dedicated in December 2008, with Mayor Phil Hardberger, former Mayor Howard Peak, and Mayor Emeritus Lila Cockrell. This project was part of the bigger Linear Creekway Parks Development Program, which was designed to acquire open space and create linear parks along Salado Creek, Leon Creek, Medina River and the San Antonio River. Sales Tax funding for the project was approved by voters in 2000 (Proposition 3) and 2005 (Proposition 2). The program was begun under the leadership of Mayor Peak, who continued his service to the project by serving as Chairman of the Linear Creekway Parks Advisory Board, which meets monthly to discuss issues and make recommendations related to the program.

The total budget for the design and construction of Robert L.B. Tobin Park was $2,671,832 coming from the Proposition 2 Sales Tax Initiative. The consultant for this phase was Coletrane, Fernandez and Zavala (CFZ Group LLC), and the contractor was Shorty, Inc. (dba Charlie & Company). Special Projects Manager Brandon Ross of the Parks and Recreation Department oversees the Linear Creekway Parks Development program. This phase of the project was managed by Landscape Architect Assistant Agdel Rivera and inspected by Tony Baerman, also of the Parks and Recreation Department.

The trailhead features the work of Mr. Cortés, a third-generation artisan who works in faux bois (false wood) or trabajo rústico that reproduces natural elements such as wood, thatch, vines and branches in concrete to form garden furniture. Mr. Cortés carries on the tradition of his great uncle Dionisio Rodriguez, who brought the skill to Texas from Mexico in the 1920s. In addition, The Tobin Endowment commissioned a statue of Robert L.B. Tobin by Santa Fe artist Norman L. Boyles.

The Tobin Endowment was established after the death of Robert L. B. Tobin, a local philanthropist known for his charitable giving to the arts. The land donated by the Endowment was part of the Margaret Batts and Edgar Gardner Tobin farm where the family raised cattle. Robert Tobin grew up on the property, riding in the woods and swimming in Salado Creek.