SunChips Seawall Park at Fort Crockett Set To Revive Galveston
Posted: Thursday, August 06, 2009
by Laura Trahan
My family had the honor of spending the day in Galveston last week. We had won four free tickets to Schlitterbahn Water Park from Kidstuff Kids Directory.
I have to admit it was an amazing day. The slides and fun the waterpark offered for families were exactly what we needed at this time. We ended the fun day with a picnic on the beach at the Seawall.
We rolled down the windows to smell the ocean, a family tradition. We were expecting the worst as far as scenery. The great news is that the island is functioning. Houses are for sale with boarded windows as if the owners never came back. For the most part, the island is alive with growth!
For my family, the shock were the signs at Schlitterbahn showing how high the water was during Ike. My kids could not stop talking about how they would have had to swim a long time since they would not have been able to touch. It is a reality that none of us really want to think too long about.
Honestly, our family has decided that during future hurricanes, we will flee. We never expected Ike to pack such a powerful punch and we were much farther inland.
Galveston's big difference in our memories was the Seawall. As we sat on the beach in the moonlight watching the kids build castles and listening to the waves roll in, it was one of those God moments.
Galveston is where memories are made. It is one of those few places where you can experience those moments for free. As we look down the Seawall, it was obvious rebuilding was in process. Our favorite store where we would look at the big seashells was gone.
Today, news comes out that Frito Lay is stepping in to help with that rebuilding process. It is a step that warms my heart. The Fort Crockett Park at 47th street and Seawall Blvd. is undergoing a revitalization by the Frito Lay Company. The process is leading to a vote to rename the park SunChips Seawall Park at Fort Crockett.
Last month, Frito-Lay announced it would donate $1 million to enhance the park. The donation is to pay for a solar-powered restroom, visitors' kiosk, concession stand and historical displays.
It also is part of a national campaign by the company to solicit donations from its customers to aid in Galveston's Hurricane Ike recovery efforts. Later this month the company will make a donation for every two bags of SunChips purchased at 2,400 Kroger stores across the country.
What an awesome gesture for the people of Galveston and surrounding areas. I realize that some people might roll their eyes at how another company is getting advertising, but I think it is a gesture that should be remembered in giving the park its naming rights.
This park is such a historical significance for Galveston in that is houses a statue commemorating the 1900 hurricane that destroyed the town. Now it will also be remembered for the rebuilding after Ike.
Get buying some SunChips and do your part to revitalize Galveston after Ike. I, for one, am thankful for Frito Lay for helping with the rebuilding of Galveston and opening it up for many more family memories to be made in the future.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)hi laura,very informative, and nice to hear. i'm all for altruism. a family member has a condo in galveston, and as you know, both my aunts live in texas.i'm sure they're happy too. thanks for sharing this with us,my best to you,sue
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