In San Antonio's Phil Hardberger Park, a pioneering land bridge now spans a six-lane highway, creating a unique corridor for both wildlife and people. This innovative structure restores ecological connectivity while providing an elevated path for visitors to experience nature among the treetops.
- Connects fragmented habitats with a 150-foot-wide land bridge
- Includes separate wildlife and pedestrian paths with native landscaping
- Supports diverse species and offers tree-top walkways to visitors
What happened
Phil Hardberger Park in San Antonio, Texas, named for the city's former mayor and park advocate, is home to a groundbreaking wildlife and pedestrian overpass. Known as the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge, this 150-foot-wide structure spans a six-lane highway, reconnecting the natural areas of the park that had been divided by urban development. The bridge officially opened about ten years after the park's initial establishment, responding to both conservation and community needs.
Designed through collaboration with wildlife biologists and landscape architects, the bridge incorporates a multi-layered system that guides animals safely across while allowing pedestrians to enjoy scenic elevated walkways through the tree canopy. The project invested approximately $23 million through a combination of a voter-approved bond and grants. Since opening, the land bridge has attracted many native species back to the park and welcomes hundreds of visitors daily.
Why it feels good
The land bridge restores critical ecological connectivity in an urban setting, enabling over 50 reintroduced species to thrive and safely traverse what was once a barrier highway. Wildlife cameras have recorded all expected mammals in the area using the bridge, including bobcats and deer. The natural layering and plantings provide shelter and separation for animals away from human pathways, promoting peaceful coexistence in the shared landscape.
Beyond its environmental impact, the bridge offers people a novel way to experience nature—a ‘sky walk’ gradually rising through the tree canopy with views that shift from a squirrel’s eye to a bird’s eye perspective. Educational and recreational opportunities abound as visitors engage with both wildlife habitat and urban green space. The project garnered recognition from the American Society of Landscape Architects for its elegant and thoughtful design that balances human access with ecological restoration.
What to enjoy or watch next
Visitors to Phil Hardberger Park can explore the land bridge’s extensive network of elevated trails that integrate accessibility with immersive natural experiences. The adjacent one-acre wetland and an underground cistern help sustain local flora and fauna by collecting and distributing rainwater during dry periods, further enriching the park's ecosystem.
This innovative model adds momentum to broader efforts across the United States to create safer wildlife crossings that reduce vehicle collisions and support biodiversity. San Antonio’s example invites other cities to envision infrastructure that nurtures both people and wildlife. Nature lovers and urban adventurers alike can continue to enjoy the bridge as a unique portal where city life and wilderness harmoniously meet.