San Antonio's green canvas is set to get an imaginative overhaul as Boston-based design firm Sasaki takes the reins to transform a former golf course into Arboretum San Antonio. Thanks to an exhaustive bidding process, the firm emerges as the top choice to conceive a master plan for the sprawling 188-acre sanctuary. "We chose the one that we think best fits this site and San Antonio," said Henry Cisneros, the founder of Arboretum San Antonio, in a statement obtained by the San Antonio Report.
The South Side's future oasis, lauded by Sasaki architect Anna Cawrse as a dream project, has already showcased its raw natural allure to the project team. Located at 4226 S.E. Military Dr., the site doesn't fail to attract, surrounded by a diverse array of trees and bisected by the serene Salado Creek. Cawrse recounted to the San Antonio Report, "Being on site here was incredible. The magic was apparent, it was tangible."
Arboretum San Antonio aims to be more than just a mere park. Tom Corser, CEO of Arboretum San Antonio, clarified that the location is a conservation site that strives to promote health, wellness, and education. Comparing it to the Great Springs Project, Corser believes this will prominently support the self-nurturing ecosystem. According to the San Antonio Report, County Judge Peter Sakai indicated such spaces are vital for children who "need nature and wide open space more than ever."
As pockets loosen and checks are written, several local entities have pooled their resources to breathe life into this ambitious project. Mayor Ron Nirenberg disclosed plans for a tree nursery, bolstered by the City's $400,000 commitment. He emphasized to the San Antonio Report, "What we don't have is a place, a theater, a museum of trees. That's the arboretum." While funding goals are still being chased, existing pledges serve as testament to the community's anticipation of an arboretum that will stand apart from existing urban green spaces.
As Sasaki embarks on their 12-month planning journey alongside local partners, San Antonio's residents can look forward to the transformation of the city's South Side into a bustling hub of nature, leisure, and education.
