Plans for Arboretum San Antonio are taking root, allowing residents to weigh in on features they'd like to see in the tree sanctuary, which is expected to be the second-largest in Texas.

Why it matters: Called a "museum of trees," the arboretum will provide outdoor activity space and serve as a destination for the Southeast Side.

The latest: Arboretum San Antonio hosted a feedback session last week showcasing three concept plans for the site, which was once the Republic Golf Course.

• The Community Crossroads plan focuses on connecting people to nature with trails, an expanded lake and Indigenous plant education.
• Wild San Antonio emphasizes ecological restoration, including a canopy walk over Salado Creek and a native tree nursery.
• The Testing Grounds plan serves as a "landscape laboratory," featuring a zipline, irrigation research and water quality testing.

Between the lines: The conceptual designs by architecture firm Sasaki feature elevated canopy walks, tree houses and community gardens in response to early community feedback, Anna Cawrse, a landscape architect, told the SA Report.

• "I've never seen a community so excited about canopy walks, so I'm happy about this," Cawrse said.

Flashback: Last November, Bexar County approved $7.3 million for the arboretum — $2 million for land purchase and $5.3 million for infrastructure. The city is also contributing $600,000 for the project, according to the Express-News.

• Total project costs could reach $50 million, Evangeline Flores, chair of the arboretum board, told the SA Report.
• Arboretum San Antonio is also raising funds from corporate and private donors.

By the numbers: The 188-acre property is home to more than 85 plant species, including 66 that are native, arboretum spokesperson Kate Edwards tells Axios.

What's next: Arboretum San Antonio is still accepting feedback via an online survey.

• The final design is expected in early 2025.

San Antonio voters are heading to the polls in droves, and they're casting ballots on City Charter amendments they might not understand.

Why it matters: Proposition C would remove pay and tenure caps for the city manager — approved by voters in 2018 — but current voters might not know that from looking at the ballot.

The actual ballot language reads: "Shall the Charter of the City of San Antonio be amended to grant to City Council the authority to set the full terms of the City Manager's employment including tenure and compensation?"

What they're saying: "It makes a huge difference in the level of support we see for them when we use the actual ballot language," Bryan Gervais, director of the Center for Public Opinion Research at UTSA, said last week.

Zoom in: The center's latest poll of 656 likely San Antonio voters, with a margin of error of ±3.8%, showed that 43% would vote in favor of Proposition C when shown the ballot language.

• Only about 17% of people supported it when told it would remove the existing cap.

The argument for Prop C: Supporters say the city needs a consistent leader who won't be kicked out when the term ends — and someone who will be focused on San Antonio, not on finding their next job opportunity.

The argument against Prop C: Keeping the caps in place ensures transparency, fairness and equity and helps balance power between elected officials and management, the San Antonio firefighters union has said in mailers opposing the proposition.

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🏛️ A man posted bond after being arrested and charged with injury to an elderly person, in connection to his alleged assault of an election worker on the Southwest Side Thursday after being asked to remove his MAGA hat due to Texas election rules. (Express-News 🔒)

🍻 Bar House, the massive North Alamo drinking spot housed in a 100-year-old building, is close to opening. (Instagram)

🗳️ Northwest Vista College and Texas A&M University-San Antonio were the busiest and slowest polling locations, respectively, during the first days of early voting. (KSAT)

🔒 Europa, a Medical Center restaurant, closed yesterday after five years in business. (MySA)

Holey Moley Mini Golf Club is set to open in early December on the San Antonio River Walk.

Catch up quick: The retro-inspired entertainment venue will take over the former LandShark Bar & Grill space in the Shops at Rivercenter.

The latest: Holey Moley's reservation books are now open for holiday parties. 

By the numbers: The 12,000-square-foot space has 27 holes of mini golf over three courses and two karaoke rooms. 

• It also features a full bar and restaurant.

Tell a golfer

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Downtown hotel bars Four Brothers (Omni La Mansión del Rio) and Ostra (Mokara) are celebrating Día de los Muertos with special cocktails. 

Zoom in: The Calavera Citrus, a mezcal-based cocktail, is available at Four Brothers.

• Next door, Ostra at Mokara is serving the Muerto-Rita, a tequila drink garnished with edible flowers.
• Both cocktails will be available until Saturday for $16 each. 

Here's what you'll need if you want to DIY the drinks: 

Calavera Citrus

•  1 ounce El Jimador
•  1 ounce Susto mezcal
• 3 ounces Jarritos grapefruit
• 0.25 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

 Muerto-Rita

• 2 ounces Herradura blanco tequila
•  0.5 ounce Cointreau
•  1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 0.5 ounce agave syrup
• 1 drop black food coloring

What's next: Celebrating responsibly with your loved ones.

Send to a sipper