San Antonio: Generous Land Donation Expands Nani Falcone Park

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

December 10, 2020

SAN ANTONIO— Major upgrades are underway at Nani Falcone Park! Today, the City Council accepted a donation of 8.763 acres of land next to the park and approved a construction contract to connect the park to the Howard Peak Greenway Trail System.

“It is not everyday we add eight acres of land to our parks. I want the Spigel family to know just how special this gift is to myself and to the many San Antonio residents who use Nani Falcone park, ” said Councilwoman Sandoval. “On behalf of the residents of District 7, thank you to the Spigel family for this generous donation. I look forward to working with the community on plans for the expansion.”

The parkland donation was made as a gift by the family of local businessman and philanthropist Stanley Spigel. “My husband, Stanley Spigel, loved San Antonio and cared greatly for the quality of life in our city,” said Barbara Spigel. “He was a self-made businessman and made it a priority to give back to the community that had been so good to him. I know he would have been very pleased that this land is being donated to the City of San Antonio to enhance our parks system. He would hope that all who use this park enjoy its beauty and benefit from spending time outdoors.”

The donated land is at the corner of Guilbeau Road and Wickersham, behind the H-E-B, and expands Nani Falcone Park to 74.3 acres. Once funding for the expansion project is secured, the Parks & Recreation Department will engage the community to learn more about the needs and desired amenities for the park and future trail connection.

“The land donation will allow for the expansion of Nani Falcone Park and provides an opportunity to better connect residents to this highly utilized green space in an urban environment,” said Homer Garcia III, Director of San Antonio Parks and Recreation. “We’re excited to move this project forward and work with the community in further development of the park.”

Residents in the area have long advocated for the expansion of Nani Falcone Park. Michele Dalbis-Robledo, a neighborhood leader in Braun Station East, expressed her gratitude:

“Happy. Thrilled. Ecstatic. Comforted. Grateful. There is no way to fully express my gratitude and the gratitude of my community to the City, our City Councilwoman, and her staff. Most importantly I would like to offer our sincere thanks to the Spigel family for their generous donation and commitment to the beauty, health, and welfare of our community.”

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.