Brackenridge Park (SA Zoo, Sunken Garden Theater and Japanese Sunken Gardens)

[kingkirbythe....]

Don't do what Donny Don't does.

[JACKinBeantown]

Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

Don't do what Johnny Don't does.

• Video Link

[kingkirbythe....]

Thank you.

I changed it to Donny from Johnny. Damn you auto correct thinking you know what I want!

[kingkirbythe....]

Lack of transparency surrounds the city of San Antonio's push to fell heritage trees at Brackenridge Park

https://www.sacurrent.com/sanantonio...t?oid=28274195

Editor’s Note: Current Events is a column of opinion and analysis.
City staff’s effort to fell 104 trees, including 10 heritage specimens, at Brackenridge Park to repair a crumbling, 80-year-old wall must stop. It’s an embarrassing statement about San Antonio’s governance that the plan got this far.

The controversial proposal would remove dozens of trees in one of the city’s most revered green spaces as part of an effort to restore the Lambert Beach river walls and other historical structures approved for repair under Brackenridge Park’s 2017 bond project.

[kingkirbythe....]

City officials bend on Brackenridge trees, giving activists a temporary win

https://sanantonioreport.org/city-of...temporary-win/

Following weeks of vocal opposition from environmental advocates, the City of San Antonio has postponed seeking approval to remove several heritage trees at Brackenridge Park.

City officials announced via a press release Tuesday that it would delay its request to the Historic and Design Review Commission to remove the trees while the city and its consultants complete the design work for the park’s approved 2017 Bond Project.

“No one wants to remove heritage trees, especially from a historic city park, but if the removal ultimately remains necessary to protect the public and historic structures at Brackenridge, I want the community to understand the full context of the project,” City Manager Erik Walsh said in the release.

“So I have directed staff to pause consideration by the HDRC, which has dominated the conversation and distracted from the broader benefits of the restoration work, while we complete the design and work with our partners and stakeholders.”

[Hindentanic]

(Imagery from Google Earth)

I'm missing something: why is the River Road Neighborhood Association on a scorched-earth power trip against revitalizing the Sunken Garden Theater?

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by Hindentanic

(Imagery from Google Earth)

I'm missing something: why is the River Road Neighborhood Association on a scorched-earth power trip against revitalizing the Sunken Garden Theater?

This section of 281 needs to have capped parkland. It is already feasible without a major reconstruction of the existing highway.

[kingkirbythe....]

Originally Posted by Hindentanic

(Imagery from Google Earth)

I'm missing something: why is the River Road Neighborhood Association on a scorched-earth power trip against revitalizing the Sunken Garden Theater?

Because NIMBY only knows how to NIMBY.

[kingkirbythe....]

A look back at the history of the San Antonio Zoo

A lot has changed since the zoo made its debut in 1914.

https://www.mysanantonio.com/enterta...P-CP-Spotlight

The San Antonio Zoo announced in February the monumental return of gorillas, back to the menagerie after the noble creatures' 30-year absence from the grounds. Three decades may appear to be a long time, but the history of the zoo itself extends far past the day it was decided that the last gorilla would exit San Antonio for good (or so they thought) and renest at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

So when did the San Antonio Zoo first open its doors, and how did it evolve into what it is today? Keep reading for a historical look back at one of the oldest zoos in the country, which also happens to be among the city’s most popular family attractions.

[kingkirbythe....]

OPINION

Brackenridge Park plan delayed by disinformation campaign

https://sanantonioreport.org/bracken...tion-campaign/

Disinformation had its day at City Hall on Tuesday when City Manager Erik Walsh announced via press release that Phase One work in the 2017 Brackenridge Park Master Plan involving the restoration of the park’s most historic elements will be delayed this year.

In a park with thousands of significant trees (6″ trunk girth or more, or 2″ trunk girth or more for trees in the flood plain) and hundreds of heritage trees (24″ trunk girth or more), only 105 significant trees, many not much more than saplings, and 10 at-risk heritage trees, are scheduled for removal.

[The Model]

Hopefully land prices keep going up and the residences that are crying about the noise of a concert at sunken gardens won't be able to afford to live there and we can demo that hood and build some modern high rise condos which would provide EXCELLENT view of the park, pearl, and downtown!

[Spoiler]

Originally Posted by The Model

Hopefully land prices keep going up and the residences that are crying about the noise of a concert at sunken gardens won't be able to afford to live there and we can demo that hood and build some modern high rise condos which would provide EXCELLENT view of the park, pearl, and downtown!

It’s a historic district.

[kingkirbythe....]

San Antonio reduces traffic to Brackenridge Park with one-way route for spring break

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/lo...e-16978271.php

The plan creates a large two-lane loop that can be accessed from several incoming streets, including Hildebrand, Mulberry, and Stadium Drive, according to a news release from the San Antonio Zoo.

The one-way traffic flow will be daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., starting Saturday, March 5 and running till March 20. It is subject to change depending on traffic flow and inclement weather, the zoo release noted.

[kingkirbythe....]

San Antonio officials to host public meetings regarding controversial Brackenridge Park updates

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/lo...k-17019978.php

It's time to have your voices heard. San Antonio officials are hosting a series of three public meetings regarding the Brackenridge Park 2017 Bond Project. The community can voice their concerns about the controversial updates regarding the popular park starting this week.

The city's parks and recreation and public works departments will discuss the restoration and preservation of the park's historic assets. Those features include the 1776 Upper Labor Diversion Dam, 1870's Brackenridge Park Pump House, and the 1920s River Walls.

In February, the city departments received criticism for their planned project to remove 105 trees – 10 heritage trees – to repair and restore some of the historical features at Brackenridge Park. The San Antonio Historic Design and Review Committee didn't approve the city's request, asking for more information and a thorough plan for the trees.

[kingkirbythe....]

San Antonio holds first debate over planned Brackenridge Park tree removal

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/lo...l-17021678.php

The City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department and the Public Works Department held the first forum of its three-part public meeting series regarding the proposed plan at Brackenridge Park on Tuesday, March 22.

In February, the city departments received criticism for their planned project to remove 105 trees – 10 heritage trees – to repair and restore some of the historical features at Brackenridge Park. After public backlash and pushback from the Historic Design and Review Committee, the city postponed its vote of approval to remove the trees to the summer.

The city said it needed more time to hear from the public and to work with other stakeholders to ensure the historic structures in the park are adequately protected and the removal of heritage trees is minimized. Via the Brackenridge Park 2017-2022 bond project, the proposed plan aims to restore natural park features and improve water quality. It also hopes to restore, preserve, and articulate park cultural and historical features.

[kingkirbythe....]

New Brackenridge Park renovation plan in the works to preserve more native trees

https://www.expressnews.com/news/loc...n-17023342.php

A new plan is underway to save some of the native trees at Brackenridge Park that would have been removed in a proposal to restore a northern section of the site.

City officials asked the Historic and Design Review Commission last month for permission to cut down the trees for a 2017 bond project. But City Manager Erik Walsh delayed the request after residents protested.

As a result, the tree removals are on hold through November after the migratory bird nesting season concludes.

The city got feedback from about 75 residents Tuesday night, and officials will return for at least two more community meetings before a plan is finalized. The next meeting is set for 6 p.m. April 26 at the Witte Museum. A third meeting, at the same time and location, will be May 24, and officials said a fourth one likely will be held.

[kingkirbythe....]

San Antonio Zoo debuting 4D theater for fully immersive movie experience

https://www.expressnews.com/entertai...r-17147524.php

The San Antonio Zoo will soon debut a 4D theater designed to give visitors a wild, immersive experience without having to leave their seats.

Opening this summer, the zoo’s newest attraction will enable guests to see — and feel and smell — exclusive blockbuster content. A 3D, high-definition projection will be paired with “thrill-enhancing sensory special effects” — such as water mist, bubbles, snow, scent, wind and tremors in the seat — to make the audience feel like it’s in the movie.

Zoo President and CEO Tim Morrow said the 4D theater not only entertains guests in a fully immersive experience but also teaches them about wildlife.

The movies shown will rotate throughout the year and align with the zoo’s mission. The movies planned include Planet Earth II and Aquaman.

Admission to the 4D theater will be included in a Fun Day ticket, or tickets to the theater can be bought separately.

From now until May 8, the San Antonio Zoo is also offering 20 percent off annual memberships by using the code MAY4D.

[kingkirbythe....]

Sunken Garden study says San Antonio missed out on hundreds of concerts

https://www.mysanantonio.com/enterta...P-CP-Spotlight

Board members who will decide if major Sunken Garden upgrades will receive funding from the Midtown TIRZ want to see more out of a recent feasibility study. According to the study, San Antonio missed out on hundreds of concerts and revenue.

The Midtown TIRZ board of directors were mainly concerned with how the numbers in a feasibility study presented Wednesday, May 11 would be used to overall benefit Brackenridge Park. The study says that additional seating alone could bring in as much as $4 million in revenue.

The $62 million revamp of the historic amphitheater built in 1930 will receive $5 million from the $1.2 billion bond approved last weekend, but the Brackenridge Park Conservancy group is seeking about $15 million from the Midtown TIRZ.

A $62 million project proposed in September 2021 by the BPC and KBF & Associates.

The project will add 5,900 seats and space for 1,100 more on an elevated lawn space.

A new sound and lighting system with two big screens on each side of the stage.

Upgrade bathroom and backstage facilities.

A massive timber roof over the stage and seating area.

More seats, more acts

The feasibility study was led by Conventions Sports & Leisure (CSL) and KBF & Associates.

Nearly 200 artists skipped San Antonio from 2018-2019 due to an appropriate venue, the study says.

In comparison, the Toyota Music Factory (up to 8,000 seats) had 191 performances from 2018-2019. Only 10 of those same performances stopped in San Antonio.

If the Sunken Garden capacity was increased to 5,000, CSL anticipates an average number of 64 concerts, comedy performances, and other events per year.

An upgraded Sunken Garden could bring in $4.2 million in revenue by year five. That's $2 million income after operating expenses.

The project still needs to undergo a public input process, which board member Suzanne Scott said will help better iron out why this project benefits Brackenridge Park overall.

"I think the public process will really inform this planning process, so that we can get to that sweet spot of saying, 'This additional revenue coming in — how would it benefit the park?'" Scott said.

Brackenridge Park neighbors have voiced their concern over venue scale, protection for wildlife and habitat, an appropriate number of concerts and preservation of the historic theater. Board members also said that the study needs to include a traffic study and make sure that Brackenridge Park remains the focus of the enhancements.

[kingkirbythe....]

The billies and nannies have arrived: Goats will ‘mow’ brush in Brackenridge Park

https://sanantonioreport.org/goats-m...kenridge-park/

For the next three weeks, visitors to Brackenridge Park may get to see the 150 temporary workers hired by the Brackenridge Park Conservancy in collaboration with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department to clear several acres of dense brush.

And while these workers have common names like Adam, Annie and Bernard, they are anything but average. For one, their tough hooves and horns allow them to power through tough Texas plants without machinery. For another, they eat just about anything, including grass, twigs and even prickly pear cactus.

That would be because they’re goats.

[kingkirbythe....]

Activist says San Antonio Report failed to correct reporting errors on Brackenridge Park tree plan

https://www.sacurrent.com/news/activ...-plan-28912519

The owner of the Deceleration News blog said he supplied materials to the news outlet showing multiple errors in its reporting, but staffers only issued one correction.