Grey Forest creates Madla park board

The council adopted Jan. 26 an ordinance to create a board of directors for the Senator Frank L. Madla Jr. Natural Area.

Some of the board's functions, Waldrop said, will include managing volunteers, establishing a volunteer organization for support of the park, and creating and running programs in conjunction with Texas Parks and Wildlife.

“I don't know what the park is going to need,” Waldrop said. “We may be talking prematurely.”

The appointees serve one- or two-year terms, decided by lottery, ending June 1. One-year board members are Susan Beavin, a retired science teacher and current member of the Grey Forest Historical Society; Wendy Leonard, who works with the San Antonio parks system and Michael Van Buskirk. Two-year term members are Grey Forest arborist Laurie Hawkins, Ron Green and Dr. Frank Madla.

“We didn't know what we could get in terms of candidates, but we found really good people,” Waldrop said.

Councilman Ron Reinhardt is the city representative on the board.

“It's an honor to be considered,” Madla said. “You know the history of my family and my work with other foundations in south San Antonio.”

Madla told the council the city wouldn't be able to stop at one board; that they would need a separate board for fundraising, adding that it would be beneficial to include a lawyer, an architect and someone associated with a local bank.

“I don't see an initial effort to raise money, but we can't drop the ball when it comes to funding,” Mayor Don Darst said.