SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio River Foundation (SARF) received a generous $1 million gift from H-E-B to help construct Confluence Park. The donation will be received over the course of five years.
"This generous gift from H-E-B caps a momentous year and marks a wonderful Valentine’s Day 2017 for Confluence Park,” Confluence Park Director Frates Seeligson said. “We hosted a wonderful groundbreaking ceremony in early summer of 2016. Park construction is underway and progressing nicely and our Capital Campaign is in the final phase."
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H-E-B's gift brings the total money raised for the park to more than $10 million.
The park, designed by Lake Flato Architects, Matsys Design and Rialto Studios, will demonstrate the value of natural resources and foster environmental stewardship and education. Adjoining the San Antonio River, it will allow visitors the opportunity to learn through observation, engagement and active participation. It will also include hiking and biking trails.
“Our natural resources are an invaluable commodity to our community, our city and our state," H-E-B President Craig Boyan said. "The concept behind Confluence Park brings to life sustainable practices for the benefit and enjoyment of all those who visit the park. H-E-B is proud to contribute to the development of Confluence Park and looks forward to being involved in future educational and stewardship opportunities that this green space will present.”
SARF said the park will allow the foundation and other partners to expand impacts of their environmental education offerings at a single, state-of-the-art location, allowing students to get hands-on learning in a real-world setting.
SARF said it needs a little less than $500,000 to meet the foundation's final Capital Campaign to build the park.
"With this Valentine’s Day wind in our sails, Confluence Park is scheduled to be completed in just 10 short months," Seeligson said. "We can't begin to say how much we appreciate this support from H-E-B, and that of all of our partners, as Confluence Park becomes a reality for our entire community."