2016 CHRISpark Expansion
Regarded as a small oasis in the middle of downtown San Antonio since its initial opening in 2005, The Linda Pace Foundation is now boasting an additional 7,500 sq. ft. expansion of CHRISpark that will be open to the public by the end of the summer. The park is meant to be a tranquil, meditative space for visitors to wander during their lunch break or bring their families to enjoy. With the new addition, there will be even more greenery and visitors will be able to see the park grow into a lush, canopied atmosphere filled with plants that are suited to our south Texas climate.
Located throughout the original section of the park are visual experiences that were designed by world renowned artist and MacArthur fellow, Teresita Fernàndez. All of the installations commemorate Linda Pace’s late son, Chris, and are meant for children as well as adults to interact with while inside the park.
Among the different installations are Tumble Hill, a small grassy dune that invites children as well as those who are young at heart to roll down at leisure. Wednesday’s Child is made of jeweled stepping stones that retell the popular nursery rhyme with the days of the week replaced with Wednesday. The Starfield, located at the entrance of the park, turns on slowly as the sun goes down to reveal tiny blue lights in the formation of the constellations in the nighttime sky on the day of Chris’ birth. And finally, peppered throughout the park, including the new expansion, are Journal Benches. These benches are made from quarried limestone and have brief passages from Chris’ journal inscribed on them. They offer areas of repose throughout the park and visitors are invited to sit and enjoy them.
The new expansion is designed by the same landscape artist, Jon Ahrens, in order to create a fluid shift into the new park area. Following schedule, the new expansion will be open at the end of this summer 2016.
CHRISpark hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9am-5pm. The park is located at 111 Camp Street, San Antonio, TX 78204.