“A scenic playground.” That’s the motto of Grey Forest, a city we’re about to explore. Grey Forest began as a summer getaway. San Antonio residents sought refuge here in the 1920s. They built homes amid the area’s scenic beauty.
Grey Forest sits on Scenic Loop Road. It is roughly 25 miles northwest of Downtown San Antonio. The city is small. It covers only 0.7 square miles. That’s all land.
Grey Forest incorporated in 1962. The city proudly celebrated its 60th birthday in 2022. Grey Forest got its name from the grey-green live oaks. These trees fill the area. Creeks meander through the landscape. Quaint stone cottages dot the area. These cottages date back to the late 1800s.
The city treasures its rich heritage. Citizens actively protect the hill country. They work with organizations to preserve the area. Grey Forest even developed the Senator Frank L. Madla, Jr. Natural Area. This 42-acre park is mainly natural. It serves as an Edwards Aquifer conservation area. Native plants thrive here. Birds and other wildlife call it home. Trails wind through the park. There are scenic views. A pavilion offers a gathering place.
Grey Forest purchased the Scenic Loop Playground Club property in 2015. It now maintains about 28 acres of green spaces. Trails and a spring-fed creek enhance the area. A community center serves the citizens.
Quiet and secluded, Grey Forest attracts artists and craftsmen. They draw inspiration from the limestone cliffs. Rippling creeks add to the charm. Each year, artisans open their studios to the public. This happens on the second Saturday of October. Potters, weavers, painters, and sculptors display their works.
Grey Forest Utilities serves much of northwest Bexar County and extends into Kendall County. The city owns its water system, which Grey Forest Utilities also manages. The city provides its own police department and public works department. Fire and rescue services are contracted.
In 2020, Grey Forest had a population of 492. The community is close-knit. Many residents cherish the small-town feel. In Grey Forest, 30.4% of residents work from home. This is higher than 97.1% of neighborhoods in America. Many homes were built recently. A whopping 76.1% of homes were built after 1999. The median real estate price is $555,708.
Before Grey Forest became a city, the area had Native American conflicts. Stagecoaches traveled through Scenic Loop Road. Settlers sometimes met hostile Native Americans. In the 1920s, the Scenic Loop Playground emerged. It was a getaway for wealthy San Antonians.
Businessman E.N Requa developed the Scenic Loop Playground. The Great Depression forced Requa to sign over the land. He gave it to the Scenic Loop Playground Club. Many homes from the 1930s still stand. Stone architecture is common. Lumber was expensive at the time, so rock was used. The Grey Moss Inn is one of the oldest businesses. It was established around the same time as the Scenic Loop Playground.
Grey Forest offers a unique blend of history, nature, and art. It truly lives up to its motto: a scenic playground.