Schertz, Texas

Crescent Bend Nature Park

A creekside park shaped by flood, recovery, and the return of wild Central Texas habitat along Cibolo Creek.

Get Directions See Wildlife
Address 12805 W. Schaefer Road
Landscape About 180 acres
Known For Bird blinds and Cibolo Creek
Hours 7:30 a.m. to sunset

History Of Crescent Bend Park

Crescent Bend is not just preserved land. It is a former neighborhood where repeated flooding changed the future of the site.

Before 1997

The land was a residential area near Cibolo Creek, remembered locally as Lakewood Acres.

1997-1998

Back-to-back major floods devastated the neighborhood. The area was later treated as flood-prone land unsuitable for rebuilding homes.

Afterward

Government agencies purchased the damaged properties, cleanup work followed, and ownership moved to Bexar County.

2009

The land reopened as a public nature park managed with the City of Schertz, turning old streets and creek bottom into a place for walking, birding, and outdoor learning.

How to Visit

Plan for a low-key nature outing: walk the trails, sit quietly at the bird blinds, or head down toward the creek for fishing access.

  • Trails Miles of hike and bike paths move through woodland, savanna, and creekside habitat.
  • Bird Blinds Two blinds make the park especially friendly for new birders, photographers, and quiet wildlife watching.
  • Creek Access Cibolo Creek defines the park edge and provides fishing areas when conditions are suitable.
  • Amenities Parking, picnic areas, benches, restrooms, and a scout group camping site are listed by Schertz Parks.

Nature Spotted

The park is a strong local birding stop, with creek, woodland, wildflower, butterfly, and reptile habitat changing by season.

Birds

Friends of Crescent Bend report more than 250 bird species observed at the park, including rare Bexar County sightings.

Northern Cardinal White-winged Dove Carolina Chickadee Black-chinned Hummingbird Ladder-backed Woodpecker Barred Owl Common Nighthawk

Wildlife

Visitors may encounter mammals, butterflies, lizards, and snakes. Stay on trails, watch where you step, and give all wildlife room.

Butterflies Native bees Small mammals Lizards Nonvenomous snakes Venomous snakes

Plants & Habitat

Riparian woodland, pecan and hackberry trees, open savanna, seasonal wildflowers, and creek habitat make the park feel different across the year.

Cibolo Creek Pecan woodland Hackberry trees Native grasses Wildflowers Creek banks

The easiest nature wins are quiet ones: arrive early, pause before entering a blind, listen before walking, and scan the edges where woodland meets open grass.

Sources

Park details should be checked before a special trip, especially after heavy rain or during scheduled events.