The overview
Phase 2 of the park includes The Zócalo, Source Plaza and the completion of the Promenade.
The Zócalo, or main square, is located in front of one of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center’s entrances and is described as a hardscape terrace. The Source Plaza sits at the busiest pedestrian intersection in Downtown San Antonio, and is a mix of hardscape and landscape that includes shade trees and the source fountain that feeds the Acequias, or canals, along the Promenade. The completed Promenade runs throughout Civic Park and connects it to Yanaguana Garden.
Additionally, Civic Park also features a stage for concerts and events.
Andres Andujar, CEO of Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation, said the completion of this phase will open the park district to greater pedestrian traffic and serve as a gathering point for San Antonians.
“We call [Hemisfair] the place where San Antonio meets,” Andujar said. “It's the place for a community to gather, celebrate and to protest.”
Hemisfair consists of three separate parks—Yanaguana Garden, Tower Park and Civic Park—and provides space for events, major festivals and concerts.
The details
Civic Park Phase 1 was completed in 2023 and includes the Great Lawn, a portion of the Promenade and five interactive water features.
Melissa Robinson, director of real estate and finance for HPARC, said Civic Park was built from space made available after the demolition of half a million square feet of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Robinson also noted that Civic Park’s aesthetic is designed to evoke the Hill Country, particularly the limestone and running water of Pedernales Falls.
“The design concept behind all of Civic Park is Pedernales Falls,” Robinson said.
Robinson said multiple aspects of the park are built for sustainability in San Antonio’s drought-prone environment, such as a 42,000-gallon cistern underneath the Great Lawn. The cistern collects nuisance water, or runoff water from the convention center and the surrounding area, and uses it to water the grass, keeping it green even in extreme drought.
“It's a very unique story of sustainability and creativity for San Antonio, given our weather conditions,” Robinson said.
Stay tuned
Hemisfair officials will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of Civic Park Phase 2 at 10 a.m. March 18. Speakers include Mayor Ron Nirenberg and City Manager Erik Walsh.
