Former San Antonio Mayor Lila Cockrell retires from Parks Foundation

Former San Antonio Mayor Lila Cockrell celebrated her retirement Wednesday night from the Parks Foundation after more than a dozen years as the organization's president.

A reception was held at the Japanese Tea Garden, one of the locations Cockrell helped restore as the leader of the Parks Foundation.

Former San Antonio mayors Phil Hardberger and Howard Peak attended the celebration. Peak is the new president of the Parks Foundation.

Cockrell said she will continue to stay busy. "I'm not just retiring to a rocking chair. I'm retiring to a do a job, finishing the book and on the side I'm gonna be a volunteer, helping with some special projects that are important," Cockrell said.

Cockrell was the Parks Foundation's first paid staff member and is credited with single-handedly raising more than $5 million for several city park projects during her tenure.