Lantana Hill built with funds won in online competition
Texas Border Business
WHO: Mayor Jim Darling and City Commissioners, City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department
WHAT: Official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lantana Hill
WHEN: Tuesday, June 19, 2018, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: McAllen Nature Center, 4101 U.S. Bus. 83
Thanks to an online competition held last year by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in collaborating with The Walt Disney Company, including Disney Citizenship, Disney/ABC Television Group and ESPN, the City of McAllen won a $20,000 grant to improve a local park.
Those funds were used to develop Lantana Hill, a 25-feet high natural observation deck at the McAllen Nature Center that will provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The $20,000 purchased stone, fencing, landscaping, and irrigation supplies. The fill was brought in from a nearby location.
Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation Bob Canterbury designed the project and it was built entirely by Parks & Recreation staff. There are a few benches on top. There is a decomposed granite trail spiraling up around it as well, as a steep stone walkway that kids can climb straight up.
The McAllen Nature Center is a 22-acre urban nature site, operated by McAllen Parks & Recreation and was founded in 1960 as the McAllen Botanical Gardens. The site boasts 220 species of birds, 90 species of butterflies and 15 species of reptiles and amphibians. Annual visitors have increased from 900 to 20,000 annually since reopening in 2013. Weekly wellness programs include tai chi, yoga, meditation, poi and a running program are offered.
An additional wellness component was added to the trail system at the McAllen Nature Center and a rock wall on the west side provides climbing opportunities for children, increasing exercise. Research has proven that unstructured outdoor play has positive effects on the physical and emotional health of children.
Thanks to the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Meet Me at the Park Grant, 15 designated cities received funding for projects, plus a 16th city which was voted on by the public. McAllen beat all other cities in the United States during the voting period in April 2017. All votes were cast online.
“I am so proud of our community for taking part of the competition to help the City of McAllen win this grant award,” said Mayor Jim Darling. “I now invite everyone to come out to Lantana Hill and appreciate the natural beauty and wonder of our McAllen landscape.”
