A new park in the VIDA subdivision outside Texas A&M University-San Antonio was dedicated to Megan Wise de Valdez, chair of natural sciences and biology professor, March 20 on the corner of Vesta Curve and Bertha Branch.
Under a white canopy in the midday sun, a crowd including Vida residents, subdivision developers and A&M-San Antonio faculty mingled as they waited for the event to begin.
Gretchen Howell, chief operating officer at Southstar, the development company behind the Vida subdivision, took the stage first.
“Here at VIDA, we celebrate the commemoration of Megan Wise de Valdez Park in honor of Professor Wise de Valdez,” Howell said. “We often reach out to our community through social media on what to name various parks and streets and other features in our community and we so often get suggestions about historical figures or local animals, but this was the first time we had an overwhelming suggestion from students and faculty alike to celebrate a professor from A&M.”
A&M-San Antonio faculty members, including history professor William Bush, also spoke at the event.
“You know you’ve made it when they name something after you while you’re still alive,” Bush said before elaborating on the time he spent alongside Wise de Valdez during their early days at A&M-San Antonio.
The sentiment was echoed by Wise de Valdez herself when she took the podium, flanked by her husband and daughter.
“They wanted to name a park after somebody who left a mark on the community, and they thought that was me,” said Wise de Valdez when recalling the moment she was told of the park’s naming. “I am so excited to have this park named after me because I did put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into building this program so close to where I work and practically live.”
The event concluded with the unveiling of a park sign reading “Megan Wise de Valdez Park” and the serving of refreshments. The park features benches, an open field, and a modern art sculpture.
Wise de Valdez has served at A&M-San Antonio since 2010, starting as an assistant professor. She currently serves as the chair of natural sciences and a professor of biology. Wise de Valdez’s work focuses on the urban ecology of mosquitos and their role as vectors of disease.
“I went with my students knocking on doors all across San Antonio. That brought me door to door not just with the affluent parts of the community but also the not-so-affluent parts. It was those four years that I felt connected.”
Wise de Valdez said while reflecting on her time in San Antonio. “San Antonio is genuinely unique, and by the time I got done with my research, I felt it and now I have a park named after me.”
A&M-San Antonio President Dr. Salvador Hector Ochoa shared words of gratitude for Wise de Valdez and spoke on the growing relationship between Vida and A&M-San Antonio.
“As the university has grown, so has VIDA and vice versa; the two are linked,” Ochoa said. “They support everything we do with community events, athletics and scholarships, and we are very appreciative of them and we support them with faculty and things such as Wise de Valdez’s research on mosquitos.”
“What they will provide for our students will be a green belt and walkway that will lead from the neighborhood through the hospital district to our campus. You don’t see that kind of linkage where the university and subdivision have worked together to create a spirit of wellness and a connection.”
“There are currently five parks in the Vida subdivision with plans for over a dozen active parks when the subdivision is completed,” said Howell.
The VIDA subdivision began construction in early 2023. Construction on phase 1 of Vida is wrapping up while there are plans for two additional phases of the housing development.
