Hemisfair Civic Park

Hemisfair civic park

Hemisfair Civic Park is a 7-acre public park in San Antonio, Texas. The park is art of a larger, 16-acre planned development in San Antonio’s downtown core. Located within the 1968 “HemisFair” International Exposition grounds, Hemisfair Civic Park is adjacent to the world-famous River Walk and surrounded by several vibrant and growing neighborhoods. The park design introduces public plazas and courtyards, an event lawn and stage, intimate gardens with springs, and a promenade that connects spaces within and beyond the park.

Designed as a “place that fits” San Antonio’s life, character, and vision, the civic park connects to existing neighborhoods while catalyzing new development. Referencing regional geological formations and San Antonio’s street and river levels, the landform of the park acknowledges the city’s layered ‘balconies’ and uses similar elements to create points of discovery and promontory views across the park. Recycled water will travel through the park, from a source fountain, through channels, and into shallow pools, to tell the story of San Antonio’s historical, natural, and contemporary water use.

Civic Park is one of three public-space anchors at the heart of Hemisfair’s redevelopment. Yanaguana Garden opened in 2015, and GGN completed a concept plan for the future Tower Park in 2021. In addition to the Civic Park Design, the GGN team developed Urban Design Guidelines for the surrounding P3 parcels that will bring local retailers, food and beverage, and residential buildings back into Hemisfair.

Details

Location: San Antonio, TX
Size: 16 acres
Client: City of San Antonio - Public Works Department (PWD)
The Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation (HPARC)
Completion Date: Early Works 2019; Phase 1 - 2023

PROJECT TEAM

GGN, Landscape Architect
Kathryn Gustafson, Design Lead
Alamo Architects, Architect
Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Civil Engineer
Rialto Studios, Local Landscape Architect
Intelligent Engineering Services, Structural Engineer
CNG Engineering, MEP
CMS Collaborative, Fountain Design
Tillett Lighting, Lighting Design
Toole Design Group, Traffic Engineer
ETM Associates, Operations & Maintenance
Theatre Projects, Theater Design
Ximenes & Associates, Public Outreach
Drew Collaborative Works, Cost Estimating