Ronald R. Darner Parks and Recreation Operations Headquarters
5800 Old Highway 90 West
City officials celebrated the legacy of former Parks and Recreation Director Ron Darner during the grand opening of the Ronald R. Darner Parks and Recreation Operations Headquarters during a ceremony Dec. 13, 2008, at the facility, 5800 Old Highway 90 West.
District Six Councilwoman Delicia Herrera; Lila Cockrell, President of the San Antonio Parks Foundation; members of the Darner family; representatives of the Parks and Recreation Department and other dignitaries honored Darner for his 30 years of service to the citizens of San Antonio. Darner began his career as a junior engineer in 1967 and was promoted to Director only five years later at age 30. During his tenure the department received the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence, the highest award given by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The department was a finalist in this competition six times under Mr. Darner’s direction. In his 25 years as Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, dedicated park land nearly tripled. Voters approved numerous park bond initiatives for new community centers. Darner’s aggressive pursuit of federal and state funds made possible the renovation of many parks and recreation facilities. Among the major projects were the San Antonio Botanical Garden and Lucille Halsell Conservatory, Emily and Albert Friedrich Wilderness Park, Eisenhower Park, the beautification of the River Walk and the revitalization of HemisFair Park. He passed away in 2005.
Mayor Emeritus and current President of the San Antonio Parks Foundation Lila Cockrell submitted the request to name the new headquarters building in Mr. Darner’s honor.
The building is home of the Parks and Recreation Department’s Recreation, Horticulture, Maintenance, Park Police training, and Warehouse operations. A new community center located inside the building is named in honor of former District 6 Councilman Enrique Barrera. The City of San Antonio acquired the former Levi Strauss and Co. buildings and 58.9 acres in 2004 to serve as the operations headquarters for the Parks and Recreation Department and to establish a new community center. City Council approved the $3.3 million purchase on June 6, 2004.
In January 2006 a previous contract with Beaty Palmer Architects, Inc. was amended to provide architectural plans for the building at a cost of $590,602. In May 2007, City Council approved a construction contract with Wallace L. Boldt, General Contractor, Inc., to make improvements to the building at a cost of $5 million.
Levi Strauss & Co. opened its plant at this location in 1977 and about 800 employees produced four million pairs of jeans annually at this location for 27 years. The company also operated a 20,000 square foot finishing plant at 5827 Old Highway 90 West, employing 650 people and a seeing plant on South Zarzamora where 1,115 people were employed until it closed in April 1990.