O. P. Schnabel Park, first called Bandera Road Park, includes 202 acres purchased by the City in 1964. The site was noted for its many oak trees, mountain laurels and other native vegetation. Because its natural beauty was in keeping with the interests of O.P. Schnabel, the park was renamed in his honor in 1977.
Schnabel was widely known for his efforts to "keep San Antonio clean and beautiful," and mounted many clean-up and beautification campaigns. He used catchy phrases such as "nice people don't litter" and "be a beauty bug, not a litter bug." Many thought that "O.P." stood for Old Push Broom, but the letters were actually Schnabel's initials. The Beautify San Antonio Association is named for Sadie Ray and Waldo Graff who, together with Schnabel, devoted their lives to the organization. O.P. Schnabel Park has been called "the cleanest little park in Texas."
The park is home to a YMCA program, which has a building and leases several ball fields from the City of San Antonio. However, it has many amenities available to the general public, including an accessible trail system for joggers, hikers and bicyclists. A basketball court, playscape and two pavilions are frequently visited by park users.
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