A lively game of basketball was in order this past Saturday afternoon for Stonegate residents (l-r) Christian Zuniga, 15; Jacob Lewis, 5, Julia Lewis, 11 and Alejandro Zamora, 9.

“We have a tremendous mix of people: professionals, trades, school teachers, retired, military, newlyweds and college kids,” said Joan Lopez, secretary of the Stonegate Hill Neighborhood Association’s board of directors.

A lively game of basketball was in order this past Saturday afternoon for Stonegate residents (l-r) Christian Zuniga, 15; Jacob Lewis, 5, Julia Lewis, 11 and Alejandro Zamora, 9. Photos by Marvin Pfeiffer

Stonegate Hill, a quiet neighborhood with swimming, sports, parks and friendly neighbors, is nestled in the grassy knolls that dot Wiseman Road along Highway 151. Situated in the commercially vital Westover Hills, near many of San Antonio’s major highways, the 14-year-old neighborhood has nearly tripled in size over the last three years.

“We have a tremendous mix of people: professionals, trades, school teachers, retired, military, newlyweds and college kids,” said Joan Lopez, secretary of the Stonegate Hill Neighborhood Association’s board of directors.

With current expansion, the community will soon reach its capacity of 272 homes, where only 100 were intended originally.

The homes, expected to sell for $200,000 to $300,000, are under construction by Pulte Homes Inc.

The gently rolling terrain of Ramblin River Road in Stonegate Hill features carefully tended yards.

In fact, when expansion began three years ago, the neighborhood was divided into two parts: an older section and newer section that were near rivals. But thanks to committee-organized events, the two sides have been brought together. By Lopez’s count, Stonegate now holds 258 families. 

Just minutes away from Northwest Vista College, the houses are located near Loops 410 and 1604 and U.S. Highway 90.

Several prominent businesses surround Stonegate Hill, evidence of Westover Hills’s growing commercial vitality. The Hartford Financial Services Group and Capital Group are located across the street. Companies within a mile of the neighborhood include Alamo Ranch Parkway (a shopping center under construction), the QVC Network and Sea World.

Stonegate Hill resident Roger Contero watches Joseph Arce throw a frisbee to his German shepherd, Gunner, this past Saturday in a neighborhood green area.

At first glance, Stonegate Hill resembles the Wisteria Lane of prime-time TV’s “Desperate Housewives”— minus the outlandishness. But because of development, morning and rush hour traffic continue to challenge the area.

The neighborhood takes on many forms throughout the seasons. Every summer, residents can look forward to the July 4th parade in which children and adults dress in their patriotic best and ride bicycles, motorcycles and vintage cars behind a fire truck down the neighborhood’s main road to celebrate the land of the free.

On Halloween, the neighborhood becomes a trick-or-treater’s candy haven. Residents end the year with Winter Wonderland, a Christmas celebration in which the neighborhood transforms into a snow-covered gingerbread village strewn with lights and large sparkly snowflakes.

“A lot of the activities are a cross between the kids and the adults,” said Mike Smartnick, president of the Stonegate Hill board.

The Johnson girls, (from left) Baylee, 10; Sydnee, 8; Scottie, 5 and Allie, 12, decorate the front steps of their home in Stonegate Hill this past Saturday in preparation for Halloween.

“A year ago, we had well over 180 children under the age of 14 living in this area,” said Smartnick. “It’s a great community for kids to live in.”

Stonegate Hill’s neighborhood watch program helps protect the homes, prohibits soliciting and requires business trucks to park outside the gated community.

“We have the rules to maintain the value of the property that is in this community and to maintain the safety and security of the people that live here,” Smartnick said.