SAN ANTONIO – An arboretum project that will connect people with nature and provide educational opportunities is moving forward.
“Once planning is done, we will get down to design and then we will do construction,” Thomas Corser, CEO of Arboretum San Antonio said.
The master planning for Arboretum San Antonio kicks off on Wednesday. The organization is set to announce the partner firm that will then develop the plan for the 188-acre tree sanctuary.
“We purchased it November of last year by a partnership with Brooks. They invested $1 million in the land and we also bought $2 million worth of property as well for a total of 188 acres. By funding from the county, we got $7.3 million from Bexar County and we used part of that money for the purchase,” Corser said.
The arboretum will be located at the former Republic Golf Club, off of Southeast Military Drive.
“It was a perfect spot for an arboretum. It has a lot of trees. It has water. It has four miles of cart paths on the property. So we purchased 188 acres and this is our home,” Corser said.
He said about two weeks ago 140 trees were planted.
“It’s important because we have a responsibility as an arboretum to show San Antonio and South Texas the breath of native trees that could be planted here,” Corser said.
While they are a few years away from opening up to the public, Corser and his team continue to study and explore this space.