National Public Lands Day 2009 celebration to include initial restoration of three acres of grassland savanna at Voelcker Park

Residents are invited to celebrate National Public Lands Day by joining forces with the City of San Antonio's Parks and Recreation Department, Texas Public Radio and Voelcker Park Conservancy to begin planting the first three acres of restored grassland savanna at Voelcker Park. The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 7:30 a.m. until noon at Voelcker Park, 12000 N.W. Military Hwy. Volunteers may park at the Campus of the San Antonio Jewish Community located at 12500 N.W. Military Highway.

“During the master planning and design process, the Voelcker Park motto has been Sowing the Seeds of a World Class Park and with the help of our volunteers we will literally begin this process. Fifty thousand custom grown plants including native grasses and wildflowers will become a permanent part of the landscape adjacent to the site of the future Voelcker Urban Ecology Center,” said Natural Areas Superintendent Eric Lautzenheiser.

Activities will begin at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast provided by Texas Public Radio. Orientation and planting will begin at 8 a.m. and will continue until noon. Participants may leave at any time but are encouraged to arrive at the start of the program in order to receive the training and instruction. Participants are asked to dress appropriately for the work and the weather. Long pants, close-toed shoes and work gloves are strongly encouraged, along with sun screen and bug repellent. Water will be provided.

National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. In 2008, 120,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, removed trash and invasive plants planted over 1.6 million trees. This is the16th annual celebration.

The 311-acre park is located on either side of Wurzbach Parkway between N.W. Military Highway and Blanco Road. Phase IA construction, underway since the beginning of the year, includes 1.5 miles of trails expected to be open later this year. Other elements of this initial phase include vehicular access off Blanco Road, a parking grove, picnic facilities, drinking fountains, initiation of an open play field and the grassland savanna restoration. This phase is projected to cost $2.3 million funded from 2007-2012 Park Bonds and Certificates of Obligation.

Phase 1B will immediately follow completion of the first phase. Funded in part with a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant, it will include the Salado Creek Outdoor Classroom Pavilion, interpretation and trailhead, the Salado Creek Greenway trail connection and the Salado Creek overlook on the northern tract.

On the southern 204 acres, improvements will include the Northwest Military access point, a park road, parking, one mile of loop trail, a multi-purpose play field and other amenities. The master plan was completed by the team of Stephen Stimson Associates and D.I.R.T. Studio.

The park property was purchased from the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund in two acquisitions in 2006 and 2007 for a combined cost of approximately $47 million. It includes an original 1800s farmhouse and farm complex.

For more information call Eric Lautzenheiser at 372-9124 or visit www.voelckerparksa.com.