Voelcker Park to be renamed after Hardberger

[catriona]

They could have left the Voelcker name on the park and named something inside the park after Hardberger. They could have dedicated a plaque to him and stated his efforts, added a statue or something artistic. I don't know if the park has any facilities, but they could have named one of those after him, too. I'm thankful for what he did so we didn't end up with more developments, but I agree with most of the other posters, they should have kept the family name in the park. Even Voelcker/Hardberger Park would have been okay (LOL - people would still call it just Voelcker Park.)

[wCat]

Originally Posted by TexasCovertCarry

Sad. So, everyone that has something named for them needs to have done something deserving of it? You may not find any value in recognizing local pioneer families (others come to mind such as the Maverick family) in history, but I dont believe a currently named park/planned development should be renamed in honor of anyone for the reasons we have so far. Why not rename the plaza after Hardberger? Or some other new development that doesnt already have a name? This just smacks of politics..see Nelson Wolff for more information.

I have to agree about the naming thing. The Voelker family has been part of SA for a long time. Sort of like the "Roger's" family (aka Roger's Ranch) and the Walker family (aka Walker Ranch)....etc etc The park had a name that told a story if people cared about the history of the area.

I'm really glad Phil Hardberger did what he did to stop development of that land....but he was doing his job, right? We have layers of new history getting piled on top of old history because someone is dead and gone and who cares? Honestly....I care. I spend a lot of time peeling back the layers of that history so we don't forget. It's really fascinating. I supposed it gives me something else to do.....lol!

[Willsatx]

I leave nearby and very excitied, just hate the new name.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by Willsatx

I leave nearby and very excitied, just hate the new name.

90% of the people I know were mispronouncing Voelcker, (it's VEL-ker, not VOLE-ker) so I'm OK with a name that's easier to pronounce. Plus the new name puts a beloved former mayor with many wealthy friends out in front of the fundraising effort. This park will need outside funding and more named items within it to pay for everything that's in the architects' plans.

[egeorge]

Originally Posted by Bowie

90% of the people I know were mispronouncing Voelcker, (it's VEL-ker, not VOLE-ker) so I'm OK with a name that's easier to pronounce. Plus the new name puts a beloved former mayor with many wealthy friends out in front of the fundraising effort. This park will need outside funding and more named items within it to pay for everything that's in the architects' plans.

I saw some atrocious spellings of Voelcker as well...That's a good point about the funding, I had never thought of that.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by tgannaway89

The new park, which is being developed, will be renamed after former Mayor Hardberger.

Council honors Hardberger by renaming Voelcker Park (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Council_honors_Hardberger_by_renaming_Voelcker_Par k.html - broken link)

A road was changed in his honor near Haven for Hope.

I am against any parks, airports, freeways that are named after LIVING people, ex the George Bush Airport and Tollway, Reagan Airport in DC (named when Reagan was still alive). Lady Bird Johnson had the grace and dignity to decline the naming of Austin's Town Lake until she was 6 feet under.