Robinson, Longoria Parker To Headline Morgan’s Wonderland Grand Opening April 10

SAN ANTONIO – Stars like David Robinson and Eva Longoria Parker who have dedicated themselves to helping others will shine during the Saturday, April 10, grand opening of Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first ultra-accessible family fun park designed with special-needs individuals in mind.

In preparation for the festivities that will include a galaxy of entertainers, the colorful 25-acre park will be closed until 5 p.m. when San Antonio Spurs basketball legend and NBA Hall of Famer Robinson takes the stage to emcee an hour-long ceremony that will feature Longoria Parker, star of ABC-TV’s “Desperate Housewives,” and Gordon Hartman, founder of the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation as well as the driving force behind Morgan’s Wonderland.

“We’re truly delighted to have two tremendous role models like David Robinson and Eva Longoria Parker join us for our historic grand opening,” Hartman said. “They’ve unselfishly helped so many individuals through the Carver Academy and Eva’s Heroes, respectively.”

The ceremony also will include the invocation by noted pastor Dr. Buckner Fanning; singing of the national anthem by Richard Flint, a vocalist with autism who has performed at special events throughout San Antonio; remarks by U. S. Rep. Charles Gonzalez and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro; and a brief video presentation on the creation of Morgan’s Wonderland.

In addition, Kinetic Kids, comprised of children with physical challenges, will dance to “You Raise Me Up” performed by Donald Braswell, a star of the “America’s Got Talent” TV show. Other special guests will include Kemi Yemi-Ese of Houston, Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2010.

NewTek Inc., of San Antonio will use its Tricaster portable production system for live streaming of the grand opening ceremony on the World Wide Web.

Because of the magnitude of grand-opening activities, no on-site parking will be available at Morgan’s Wonderland, however free shuttle-bus service from North East Independent School District’s Heroes Stadium (4799 Thousand Oaks Drive at Wurzbach Parkway) and Blossom Athletic Center (12002 Jones-Maltsberger Road at Bitters Road) will begin at 4 p.m. and continue until 10:30 p.m. While reservations are normally required for admission to Morgan’s Wonderland, that will not be necessary for grand opening, said Dave Force, the park’s general manager.

At 6 o’clock following the grand-opening ceremony, guests will be invited to tour the park and enjoy non-stop entertainment on three stages until 10 o’clock closing. At 9 p.m., a dazzling laser show produced by George Cisneros will be presented outside the Event Center as well as across the park’s lake. The three entertainment venues will showcase the following performers and activities:

Main Stage (outside the entrance to Morgan’s Wonderland and emceed by KSAT-TV’s Ursula Pari and Steve Spriester following the opening ceremony) – Drumming With Nina (Rodriguez), a percussion group that relies on drumming to lift the spirit; globally popular singer Donald Braswell and his 10-piece orchestra; Luca “Lazy Legz” Patuelli of Montreal, Canada, an international break-dancing phenom on crutches who has not let his physical limitations hold him back; accomplished musician Patrick Hughes, who was born without eyes and without the ability to fully straighten his arms and legs yet played in the University of Louisville Cardinal Band with the help of his father; Chris Fonseca, who despite being born with cerebral palsy has appeared on national TV and at special events coast to coast; and Adler, a popular San Antonio rock band.

Amphitheater – The Heart of Texas Concert Band, which specializes in instrumental numbers; magician Jed Spangler, a graduate of the renowned Magic and Mystery School that has produced other world-famous magicians; Kinetic Kids and River City Christian School cheerleading teams; Lazy Legz; and Chad Miller, a former Ringling Brothers clown who has multiple sclerosis.

Event Center – L.S.G.M. Foundation, made up of high school and college-aged musicians with and without disabilities that play pianos together; the Angels Accordion Orchestra comprised of children and adults with special needs from the Dreams Fulfilled Through Music organization; Lazy Legz; and (performing next door at The Picnic Place) the Scrubs brass ensemble, part of the U. S. Army Medical Command Band, as well as the interactive Urban 15 “Learning to Listen” Percussion Workshop.

Roving Entertainment – SSCOT, also known as the “Star Wars” light-saber training group; magicians; face painters including Sue Fleming and the Balloon People; multiple clown groups including the Jolly Joeys Clown Alley and the Lady Shriner Clowns; and balloon sculptors.

The park’s Lakeside Pavilion will become an information center for the evening as well as a sign-up location for those who would like to volunteer their time to assist guests at Morgan’s Wonderland. Guests also can register for future visits to Morgan’s Wonderland.

“Morgan’s Wonderland is a special place where anyone can have fun,” Hartman explained, “but it was created with special-needs individuals in mind. We’ve taken an abandoned rock quarry in Northeast San Antonio and transformed it into an outdoor recreation

oasis for those of all ages with cognitive and physical challenges. Unfortunately, countless children and adults with special needs do not have access to facilities that can help them fully enjoy outdoor recreation. We truly hope Morgan’s Wonderland will begin to change that. The initial response has been incredibly positive.”

The inspiration for the park came from Hartman’s 16-year-old daughter Morgan. Her soaring spirit despite personal challenges sparked within Hartman a deep desire to create a haven not only for those with special needs but also for their families, caregivers and invited friends. “Inclusion is the overarching objective for Morgan’s Wonderland,” he said. “Our vision is to play a pivotal role in helping establish more ultra-accessible family fun parks throughout the nation.”

Morgan’s Wonderland, which is completely wheelchair-accessible, features more than 25 elements and attractions including rides, playgrounds, gardens, an eight-acre fishing lake, 18,000-square-foot special-events center, 575-seat amphitheater, picnic area and rest areas throughout the park.

Signature elements include rides that can accommodate wheelchair-bound guests; the Sensory Village™, a cluster of themed spaces such as an auto fix-it shop, grocery store and TV station that offer sensory stimulation through colors, lights, sounds and textures; and the Sand Circle™ play area, where even kids in wheelchairs can scoop up sand and be part of the fun.

In contrast, the nearby Garden Sanctuary offers a quiet retreat in the heart of the park, and its semicircular Memorial Wall will be engraved with names of loved ones with special needs who have passed away.

Other park features include Braille signage, a 3-D park model, 18 ADA-compliant restrooms, a first-aid station, vending machines and seven acres of free parking. The special- events center as well as pavilions and picnic areas can be reserved for birthday parties, family gatherings, fundraisers and other special events.

The park is on the following operating schedule until May 28: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Summer hours of operation will be extended.

Admission for special-needs guests is free; admission for accompanying family members and friends is $5 per person. For parties that do not have those with special needs in their group, admission is $15 per person.

In 2007, the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation was instrumental in the creation of SOAR (Sports Outdoor And Recreation), a non-profit organization to raise funds for building Morgan’s Wonderland. Construction on the $32 million park began in spring 2009, and all but $6 million has been raised.

Morgan’s Wonderland is part of a larger 106-acre sports venue to encourage inclusive recreation whereby individuals of all abilities can play side-by-side. The nearby STAR (South Texas Area Regional) Soccer Complex offers 14 lighted soccer fields for tournaments,

instructional clinics and special events. Proceeds from STAR go to support the operation and maintenance of Morgan’s Wonderland.

Morgan’s Wonderland is located in Northeast San Antonio just off IH 35 at the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive. For more information, visit http://www.morganswonderland.com/, or call either (210) 495-5888 or toll-free (877) 495-5888.