A Pocket Park…What It’s All About
Simply put, a pocket park is a small, welcoming site, typically in a downtown location, providing a respite for visitors and shoppers, including shade, seating and attractive plantings.
The vision for Heritage Park began with J. Willis Johnson III. He wanted to see an underutilized area of downtown transformed into a welcoming oasis for both residents and tourists. A committee of thirteen people came together to turn this dream into a reality, and on October 18, 2011, work began. Originally called a ‘pocket park’, this idea has evolved into an exciting project that will
feature unique elements.
Heritage Park, as it will be called, will serve a variety of purposes. Downtown San Angelo workers will be able to enjoy their lunch hours in an inviting and shady corner, and it will certainly be a place for families to gather and create lasting memories. A stage area incorporated in the design of the park will serve as an energizing performance area for local music and performance groups. The goal of Heritage Park is to revitalize a part of the downtown area and provide guests with a unique San Angelo experience.
Heritage Park’s design elements incorporate many unique features. Plans include abundant shade, a signature water feature, and a variety of native plant species. Inviting sound and seating elements will greet visitors, and people will view a hand-sculptured statue depicting a cowboy and his horse. Heritage Park will also feature a unique rain water capture system, and the natural limestone pathways will guide visitors through the history of San Angelo.
Perhaps the most important element to Heritage Park is that of
education. It is the goal of the founders of the park to instill a tradition of learning in younger generations. Elements of the park will serve as educational tools for children, providing them a way to learn about the past and ways they can make an impact on the future. Included in the previous pages are some details about how Heritage Park will impact our community.
Charitable Donations may be made to:
San Angelo Area Foundation
Heritage Park Fund
or
Lee Pfluger
Heritage Park Project
325-944-4444
