Kiddos and their parents were already enjoying family time at the shallow water spaces scattered across the long-awaited Civic Park at Hemisfair Saturday when the ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the park’s official opening kicked off.
Across the water, hundreds stood under a hot sun and gathered around the springs at Civic Park as city officials formally welcomed the public to the new park. Even more people stood on top of steps and around the lawn to get a good view as Mayor Ron Nirenberg cut the blue ribbon.
Andres Andujar, CEO of the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corp., the nonprofit that raises funds for the park’s redevelopment, said the park’s opening was the culmination of years of work.
“This day … will change the landscape of San Antonio for years to come for generations,” Andujar told the crowd.
The nonprofit’s goal was to create one of the world’s greatest public places, Andujar said.
“I feel pride, and I hope you do, too, but I’ve also said for those that visit, we would like them to feel jealous,” he said as the crowd giggled and clapped in support.
“As we go forward, we’ll continue to measure our success by the volume of laughter,” he said. “With that, viva Civic Park! Viva Hemisfair!”
And the crowd cheered louder.
Jodie Schwentner sat as her two 3-year-old grandchildren, squealing and laughing, played in the water with Schwentner’s daughter.
Schwentner said she traveled from Houston to San Antonio for the weekend just to visit Civic Park and said the opening was long anticipated.
“As we were walking in, I stopped … and I was noticing how green and beautiful it is,” said Schwentner. “I think that it caters to locals.”
“This place is a haven for everyone seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of city life,” Nirenberg said over the speakers. “Especially downtown, the neighborhood that belongs to everyone. … We know that people from all districts, all corners of this city … are coming right to this spot in our beautiful city.”
And that’s what lifelong San Antonian Teresa Myers said Hemisfair has meant for her.
“Right now this is a grand opening, but if you come here any other day, the economic differences are very diverse, and you have a lot of families enjoying it. That’s fun to see because it’s a lot more diverse on a regular basis,” said Myers, who visits Hemisfair with her son, who has autism, and her senior mother.
“We have seen a diverse spectrum of children and families enjoying the Yanaguana [Garden]. This being larger, I think that only opens it up at the end of the day. The beauty of it is it’s a park,” she said.
Myers said she likes Civic Park’s big open spaces and water features, where adults can get their ankles and knees wet and children can play safely and freely under supervision. Trees along the water space provide some shade for those sitting nearby.
“This green space is a cornerstone of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all San Antonians,” Nirenberg said at the opening. “It’s a promise that we will continue to invest in the community’s well-being and create a beautiful, sustainable city.”
After the ceremony, District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur got her feet wet with friends and constituents, a father and son enjoyed a pizza from Dough Pizzeria Napoletana and a young girl skipped along the edges of the water.
As a young boy walked across the water with his small dog on a leash, smiling parents held their toddlers close as the babies wiggled their feet inside the water with excitement. Teens took a full dip inside, and young adults enjoyed a drink by the shade.
“This is something that it’s kind of like no judgment. It’s open and accessible to everyone,” Myers said.
Families stuck around to celebrate the last day of the 40th annual Jazz’SAlive! with performances by Big Sam’s Funky Nation, the Yuko Mabutchi Trio, Air Force Band of the West’s Dimensions In Blue Jazz Ensemble featuring Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Band, Haile Uriarte & Havana Soul, The Dirty River Jazz Band, Jamail, St. Mary’s University Jazz Orchestra and Euphonia.
