Park Projects

The San Antonio Parks Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide enhancements to the parks of the City of San Antonio and the County of Bexar which improve the quality of life for all of our citizens. Organized in 1981, the foundation works closely with the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Downtown Operations Department.  Funding for parks projects is provided from foundation and corporate grants, and individual gifts.  The proceeds from five large events, Fiestas Fantasias (10 day Fiesta event), the July 4th Celebration at Woodlawn Lake Park, Jazz'SAlive in Travis Park, and Celebrate San Antonio (the New Year’s Eve downtown celebration) assist the Foundation in maintaining the operating budget.

In addition to providing monetary support for park projects, the Parks Foundation also acquires land for dedicated park space and natural areas through the donation of land or purchase.  Total land acquisition through 2008 is over 350 acres, which the City of San Antonio received at no cost.

Park projects and support provided to the City of San Antonio
1999-2010

Japanese Tea Garden – Current major project

• Developed and paid for the Master Plan - $100,000+

• Raised $800,000+ towards the $1.6 million restoration of ponds and waterfall.  Completed in March 2008.

• We are now fund raising for $1 million restoration of the historic Jingu House – home of the Japanese family who lived in the Gardens.

• Click to view the PSA or to read more history on the Japanese Tea Garden.

Arneson River Theater – Ongoing Project

The Parks Foundation funds approved ongoing general maintenance projects to the facility.  The Arneson River Theater bank account is managed by the San Antonio Parks Foundation.

Robert Tobin Park – 2003-2008

• Land acquisition – 60.5 acres of land, valued at $240,000 at the time of the donation, was given to the San Antonio Parks Foundation.  The Foundation also provided partial payment for the new parking lot.

• Enhancements for the new entrance from Loop 410 East including sculpture and decorative elements through the design firm of Giles and Associates.

Kronkosky Playscape Projects – 2008

• New playscapes installed in Olympia Park, Copernicus Park, Skyline Park, Pershing Park, Windsor Park, and Collins Garden Park summer of 2008.

  Monetary gift from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation.

  Medina River Natural Area – 1999 to 2008

  • The following projects at the Medina River Natural Area were funded by a $500,000 grant from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation.

  • 2008 - Park Improvements included entry signage, entry gates, kiosk, additional trees, shrubs and groundcover - $153,000+

  • 2006 - Land Acquisition – 143 acres were donated by the Hollyhills Development Corporation to the San Antonio Parks Foundation; donors have valued the donation at $5-7 million Subsequently deeded to the City of San Antonio which brought the total acreage of the park to over 500 acres.

  • 2002 - 19+ acres of property purchased - $200,000 project (this contribution was also used for the Texas Parks and Wildlife grant, in which a match was received and used for trail development at the park.)

  • 2001 - Master Plan completed with funds from the Kronkosky grant.

  Sunken Garden Theater – 2006

  • $30,000 paid to date on the Master Plan.

  City’s Historic Eastside Cemeteries

  Ornamental iron fencing that improved the appearance and security was provided for the following cemeteries:

  • Historic City Cemeteries #3&4 – 2006 - $25,000 project

  • Historic City Cemetery #1 – 2001-2002 - $25,000 project

  • Odd Fellows Cemetery – 2001 - $13,000 project

  Lady Eco - 2005-2006

  • Environmental Cleaning Vessel custom built for the Riverwalk.  $100,000 was raised by the San Antonio Parks Foundation for this unique project

  Comanche Lookout Park – 2004-2005

  • Outdoor Classroom - $100,000 was raised for this important project.

  Alamo Plaza Improvements Project – 2004

  • Project included the restoration of the existing bandstand, new benches and landscape enhancements to Alamo Plaza.  Total project was $65,000 (included in-kind donation from the San Antonio Chapter, Associated General Contractors of America).

  Woodlawn Lake Park – 2001-2004

  • Island House Improvements – Phase II – 2004 - $15,000 project; monetary gift from the USAA Foundation.

  • Island House Improvements – 2002 - $15,000 project; monetary gift from the USAA Foundation.

  • Josephine Tobin sign – 2001 - $12,500 project ; monetary gift from the Tobin Endowment.

  Walker Ranch Historic Landmark Park – 1999-2002

  • Addition of the Landmark Windmill – 2002 - $7,000 project; monetary gift from the San Antonio Area Foundation.

  • Addition of Outdoor Teaching Facility – 2000 - $100,000+ project

  • 33.4 acres of land acquisition along the Salado Creek abutting the park to provide linkage to future greenway trails –1999 - $217,000 project; monetary gift from Ultramar Diamond Shamrock along with volunteer labor.

  • Addition of new playground – 1999 - $60,000 project; monetary gift from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation.

  Travis Park – 1999 - 2002

  • Travis Park Sod Project – 2002 - $25,000 project

  • Addition of 27 park benches – 1999 - $30,000 project; monetary gift from the Halsell Foundation and individual donations of labor.

  • Expansion and update of the irrigation system – 1999 - $5,000 plus volunteer labor from Home Depot. 

  • Addition of new sod to the perimeter of the park – 1999 - $5,000 plus volunteer labor.

  San Pedro Springs Park – 2001

  • New Playground - $31,000 project

  HemisFair Park – 2001

  • “Flower the Tower” Rotary International Project – Re-landscaping project for a major portion of HemisFair Park after the construction of the Convention Center expansion was completed.  $50,000 project (half was in-kind plant materials). This project was solicited by Parks Foundation staff and involved 1,000 volunteers attending the international convention.

  Howard Peak Garden – Paseo Del Rio – 2001

  • Development of a new riverside park named in honor of Mayor Howard Peak.  The project included benches and landscaping - $15,000 project; monetary contributions came from friends of Howard Peak.

  Milam Park – 2000-2001

  • Construction of Milam Park Fountain - $60,000 project; monetary gift from Friends of Milam Park.

  Bryan McClain Park – 2001

  • Land acquisition of 97.5 acres.  Monetary gift came through Martin Marietta Materials - $100,000 project.

  Rosedale Park - 2000

  New playground - $36,000 project; monetary gift came from the Kellogg Corporation.

  Lockwood Park – 2000

  • New Playground $25,000 project; monetary gift came from USAA along with volunteer labor.

   

San Antonio Parks Foundation  •  600 Hemisfair Plaza Way No. 247  •  San Antonio, Texas 78205
Phone: 210-212-8423 Fax: 210-212-4376 •  info@saparksfoundation.org