SACU, Texas Public Radio (TPR) and community partners sponsored a volunteer community project to recreate the savanna that once covered much of Phil Hardberger Park, planting native grass sprigs in a grassland restoration.

This was an official event of National Public Lands Day, postponed due to heavy rains on Sept. 29. Community partners included San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS), The San Antonio River Authority and REI San Antonio.

“SACU is pleased to be part of this effort that has promotes beauty and conservation through our annual planting projects,” Paige Ramsey-Palmer, SACU Corporate Communications Officer, said. “It is a pleasure to see a park restored to its former beauty, with lush savannah. Hardberger Park is one of our urban treasures, and National Public Lands Day brings focus to these green spaces.”

For the past eleven years, the projects results have created several radical transformations of area parks and libraries through water-saving measures and the restoration of natural vegetation. Previous year’s projects include San Pedro Springs Park (2001); Woodlawn Lake Park (2002); Madison Square Park (2003); Cortez Library (2004); Comanche Peak Park/Semmes Library (2005); OP Schnabel Park (2006); and Brackenridge Park Entrance (2007); Medina River Natural area (2008); and Hardberger (Voelcker) Park (2009); Dignowity Park (2010); and Mission Library (2011).

An additional postponed NPLD project is rescheduled for Saturday, November 17, at Olmos Basin Park. SACU and TPR will be soliciting volunteer assistance for that event later this year.

SACU is a $2.9 billion credit union, with 17 locations in San Antonio and one location in Houston. The credit union provides convenience to members through a network of ATMs and free online and mobile banking. The credit union also provides benefits to members with competitive yields on savings, lower loan rates, and reasonably priced financial services. There are hundreds of ways to become a member of SACU. For information, visit www.sacu.com.