Redrawn plans for La Retama Park in downtown Corpus Christi include more grass than the original concept. Architect rendering courtesy of Turner Ramirez Architect & Planners, Corpus Christi.
Renovation plans at La Retama Park in Corpus Christi have grown a little greener since they were first drawn up by Turner Ramirez Architects earlier this year. The park hosts the monthly ArtWalk and weekly Farmers Markets, which will be moved to the 300 and 400 blocks of Peoples Street when park work begins. The May ArtWalk, this Friday, May 1, will still be held in the park.
Plans to make the entire one-third of an acre granite gravel changed after a group supporting the park voiced concerns, said Philip Ramirez, principle architect of the firm.
“We were originally going to do just the granite and planting beds,” Ramirez said. “But the Friends of La Retama Park asked for some grass in there that people can relax on, so we added it.”
La Retama Park is bordered by Peoples Street to the north and North Mesquite to the east. Over the decades, the site has hosted a fire station, a city hall and, lastly, a library before the building was torn down and the space converted into a park. Heavy event usage has begun to wear on the park's grounds.
After city voters approved a bond in 2012 for park improvements, $75,000 was set aside for the downtown park. The Regional Transit Authority agreed to provide an additional $70,000, while the Downtown Management District, which puts on the ArtWalk, added $20,000.
Plans were drawn up with durability in mind.
“It’s hard to grow grass at that park because of the amount of foot traffic it gets,” said Stacy Anaya, the interim director of the city parks department. “We decided to create a plaza-style park with granite gravel so we don’t have to worry about so much maintenance or mud.”
The Friends of La Retama didn’t like the loss of grass and felt plans did not take into consideration everyday use of the area.
“I understand the need for a more durable surface in the park,” said Anthony Gavlik, a co-founder of the group. “But we wanted to see some grass there. It’s the soft, lush greenery that gives the park that peaceful feel. I’m glad they listened.”
The new plans call for a central core of stabilized granite, similar to what is used on walking trails. It will have a base similar to a paved road so it can handle the weight of small vendors and tents. The gravel creates a star shape in the center of the triangular park. The points radiate out toward the perimeter, where they narrow, leaving space for grass between each point.
“This way, we can have the best of both worlds: a little bit of grass and a durable surface for the vendors and visitors to events,” Ramirez said.
The infrastructure for foot-level light fixtures will be included in the work, but no money exists in the budget to actually put in the lights just yet.
“The infrastructure will be there when the funds are available,” Ramirez said.
He expects the work to be done in three to four months once approved by the city council. The new park most likely will be open in the fall.
Meanwhile, Friends of La Retama created a Facebook page to promote the space and the many events it hosts, including the annual Dia de los Muertos celebration. When work finally begins, events will move to the 300 and 400 blocks of Peoples Street until the park is ready to welcome everyone back.
“The park is a hub of activity,” Gavlik said. “I like that you can be in downtown Corpus Christi, in this dense walkable community, and find this little slice of natural shade. Natural shade is hard to come by in Corpus Christi.”
The little park is the big heart of the downtown area, continued Gavlik, who works at a downtown engineering firm.
“It’s a natural gathering place,” he said. “It offers a nice respite from an urban landscape.”
