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News Release San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department Date: March 6, 2009 News Release Parks and Recreation Department Contact: Kelly Irvin/207-3075 Pager #603-9418 Shannon H. Standley/357-1876 shannonstandley@wittemuseum.org Jim Dalglish/357-1870 jimd@wittemuseum/org Brackenridge Park Parking facility opens with fanfare City officials, the Witte Museum and area businesses joined in celebrating the completion of a new parking facility in Brackenridge Park today with mariachis and cake. The three-story, open-air facility provides more than 300 free parking spaces to park visitors. The parking facility, designed by Lake|Flato Architects, is tucked into the park’s tree canopy and features an environmentally friendly rain harvesting mechanism, accomplished through run-off to three cisterns. The rain water collected will be used to irrigate new landscaping and vegetation. During dry periods, the facility will use the San Antonio Water Systems’ (SAWS) recycled water for irrigation. A metal screening over the front side of the garage will allow vines to flourish and create an inviting park-friendly façade. In addition, indigenous trees and vegetation were planted around the building. The facility also features low lighting to ensure minimum light pollution. San Antonio artist Cakky Brawley designed an installation comprised of brushed aluminum forms for the elevator tower of the facility the wall behind the artwork, which references water and foliage, is illuminated at night. A Park Police substation and a train ticket depot are located on the first floor of the facility. Visitors can park at the facility and visit the Witte Museum or take the train to the San Antonio Zoo and the Japanese Tea Gardens, reducing the number of times they have to move their vehicles. Mayor Phil Hardberger, Witte Museum President and CEO Marise McDermott, Deputy City Manager Pat DiGiovanni, and Parks and Recreation Department Director Xavier Urrutia were among those attending. The $6,025,000 project was funded by the City of San Antonio from Park Bonds and Certificates of Obligation. ##
Comments can be sent to kelly.irvin@sanantonio.gov.
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