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Hemisfair to get new park courtesy of Mays Foundation gift

Hemisfair will get a new garden as part of the redevelopment of the former World's Fair site, courtesy of a million-dollar donation from the Mays Family Foundation.

The new garden will be built along East Nueva Street, which stretches from Yanaguana Garden to a planned Civic Park. It's made possible by the largest "leadership" gift Hemisfair has received to date — and the first seven-figure donation made so far to the Hemisfair Conservancy.

The new park will be named for Peggy Mays, who died on Nov. 11. It will include heavily planted areas, small trails and rest areas, with a mix of plant species to attract pollinators.

"My mother was devoted to adding beauty and improving life for all San Antonians,” Kathy Mays Johnson said. “Our family cannot think of a better way to honor her than with these exquisite gardens at Hemisfair that everyone can enjoy for generations.”

The grant will fund the garden's design, construction and maintenance, including tree planting, lighting installation and seating. The garden design, which will be finalized in the coming months, will reflect Peggy Mays’ love for family, nature and her desire to leave the world a better place, her family said. Construction is expected to begin in late 2021.

“It has been a privilege to work with Kathy and the Mays family to honor Peggy’s memory in this thoughtful and meaningful way,” said Anne Krause, executive director of the Hemisfair Conservancy. “The Mays Family Foundation is leading the way in helping us accomplish our aspirational vision of creating one of the world’s great public places here in San Antonio.”