MEDIA ALERT/FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SAN ANTONIO RIVER FOUNDATION TO BREAK GROUND ON CONFLUENCE PARK Construction of “San Antonio’s Largest Outdoor Classroom” to Begin May 11 Wednesday, May 11 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. @ the Future Site of Confluence Park | 310 W. Mitchell St. Handel’s Water Music performed by a San Antonio Symphony Brass Quartet CONTACT: [email protected], 210-224-2694 SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio River Foundation (SARF) will break ground to begin construction of Confluence Park on Wednesday, May 11. The groundbreaking ceremony will occur at 9 a.m. at the future park site located at 310 W. Mitchell Street. The Lake|Flato, Rialto Studios and Matsys designed park, SARF’s largest single project to date, will provide hands-on learning, environmental education, and community connectivity and will be located along the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project on the city’s south side. The groundbreaking event will feature numerous guest speakers who have been instrumental in planning and securing funding for the $10 million community investment: • Mike Lackey, SARF Board Chairman/Welcome & Introductions, Closing & Thank You • Suzanne Scott, San Antonio River Authority General Manager/SARIP Overview • Stuart Allen, Project Manager for Confluence Park/Design overview of Confluence Park • BHP Billiton Representative, $2.4 Million Confluence Park Donor/Community Investment, Education, the Environment • Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran, City of San Antonio/ History & Culture, The River That Connects Us • Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez, Bexar County/Proud Partner • Judge Nelson Wolff, Bexar County/Positive Growth in San Antonio • Additional honorable guests include: Julie Bedingfield/H-E-B Public Affairs; Ruben Gonzales/VP of Economic Development, SA Chamber of Commerce; The Honorable Phil Hardberger; Jimmy LeFlore/Director of Public Art, Department for Culture and Creative Development; Mario Lozoya/Director of Government Relations (and his team), Toyota Manufacturing; Sheryl Sculley/San Antonio City Manager; San Antonio River Foundation Board of Directors; Confluence Park Donors Through its use as a premier education facility, Confluence Park will fulfill the San Antonio River Foundation’s commitment to the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) to provide the students and citizens of San Antonio and surrounding counties with an innovative and welcoming space to learn about natural river ecosystems and one of our most precious local resources – the San Antonio River. It will offer inviting gateways to hike and bike trails along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River Walk and it will encourage local citizens to become more involved with their river and its stewardship for many years to come. The building of Confluence Park will also assist area schools and non-profit partners in demonstrating environmental science lessons and providing activities outside the traditional classroom setting, in a free-to-nonprofits physical meeting space along the beautiful San Antonio River. SAN ANTONIO RIVER FOUNDATION 100 E. Guenther Street San Antonio, TX 78204 o. 210.224.2694 [email protected] www.sariverfoundation.org About the San Antonio River Foundation: Established in 2003, the San Antonio River Foundation (SARF) is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner to the San Antonio River Authority (SARA). Established to complement public investment in the San Antonio River and its tributaries with targeted, privately funded initiatives that highlight education, stewardship and appreciation for our rivers and creeks, SARF invests in public projects that provide opportunities for residents and tourists alike to enjoy the River’s natural beauty, immerse themselves in its history, and become thoughtful stewards of its future. SARF’s ambitious projects range from creating unprecedented opportunities for education, recreation and interaction with nature along the river to initiating, funding, installing and maintaining exciting urban art projects by renowned artists from San Antonio, the U.S., and across the globe. To date, the River Foundation’s primary focus has been the San Antonio River Improvements Project, one of the country’s most exciting public works projects. .