City leaders and neighbors are calling for action after 2-year-old Aryana Martinez was found in a brush-filled drainage area near her northwest San Antonio home.
SAN ANTONIO — As the community continues mourning the death of 2-year-old Aryana Martinez, neighbors and city leaders are looking at ways to help prevent a similar tragedy.
Aryana was found early Monday in a brush-filled drainage area near Belle Ellen Drive, not far from the home on Allegheny Drive where she was last seen.
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District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito said her office has received concerns about overgrown vegetation following this summer’s heavy rainfall and is working with residents to identify areas that may need additional attention.
The councilwoman said drainage channels are typically maintained on a quarterly schedule, but the unusually wet summer has allowed vegetation to grow back quickly.
According to the City of San Antonio Public Works Department, the area where Aryana was found was last mowed in June. Depending on the terrain, vegetation in drainage channels is generally cut to a height of 8 to 12 inches.
City officials also said they have not received any 311 requests about overgrown vegetation in that specific area during the past four months.
On Tuesday, Alderete Gavito and members of her staff walked the drainage channels with neighbors, documenting conditions and discussing possible improvements.
“This was traumatic for all of us,” Alderete Gavito said. “We’re trying to figure out how we can best support them… and we’ll process this together.”
She is encouraging residents in District 7 to contact her office if they notice difficult-to-navigate areas. Across San Antonio, residents can also report overgrown vegetation or other concerns by calling 311.