Development Plans
PHP General Campaign
Most projects in the park are outlined in the Phil Hardberger Park Master Plan. As important as it is to fund and complete each of those projects, the park has many other needs. Some needs come from unexpected opportunities to enhance the park.
Others might be foreseen, like purchasing play ground equipment. The park’s needs are sometimes small — mulch for the dog park, seeds for the savanna, supplies for a children’s program.
These are covered with the funds from the General Campaign.
Make a donation. Your donation to the General Campaign keeps the Conservancy going and helps it provide the many things, big and little, that make Phil Hardberger Park the best place to see and feel the wild.
The Heritage Homestead
History is a big part of Phil Hardberger Park. The land that now makes up the park was once the Voelcker family's dairy farm. The Conservancy is working with many organizations to preserve the old Voelcker homestead as a place for learning about San Antonio's agrarian heritage.
Work on the dairy barn and antique windmill is complete. The rehabilitation of the original 1800's Texas Stone House, funded by the Conservancy, was finished in the fall of 2014. The final stage of the homestead restoration will include the rehabilitation of the 1930's farmhouse.
Make a donation. Your donation to the Conservancy will help restore the homestead, honor the land's history as a dairy farm and share San Antonio's agrarian heritage.
Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge
Phil Hardberger Park is divided by Wurzbach Parkway. Connecting the east and west sides of the park is critical to creating a cohesive natural area and protecting the wildlife living in the park. A Land Bridge is under construction to connect the two sides. It will be complete in 2020.
You can help build the Land Bridge
Join the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy. A strong membership demonstrates to city leaders that our community cares about green spaces and is ready to invest in our parks.
Make a donation. Your gift to the Conservancy will put us closer to uniting the park, making the entire park accessible to visitors and eliminating the tragic loss of wildlife that tries to cross the parkway.
Development Timeline
Land Bridge
May 2017 – The citizens of San Antonio passed a bond package including $13 million for the construction of the Land Bridge over Wurzbach Pkwy.
Butterfly Learning Center
April 2017 – The Alamo Area Texas Master Naturalist celebrated the opening of the Butterfly Learning Center and Hatch House at the Historic Homestead.
Children's Vegetable Garden
February 2016 – The Children’s Vegetable Garden was established. The program is a cooperative project of the Bexar County Master Gardeners, Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy, and San Antonio Parks and Recreation.
Hardberger Park grew to 330 Acres
October 2016 – The Park grew to 330 acres, thanks to a donation of 16 acres from Walmart.
New Dog Park Parking Lot
May 2016 – Dog Park parking lot in PHP East opened.
Trail Opening and Improvements
May 2016 – A new trail and an extension of Siteline C opened in PHP West. Other west side trails were improved to make them ADA accessible.
Bird Water Feature
November 2015 – Bird Water Feature and Viewing Area were designed and built by volunteers from Alamo Area Master Naturalist and the Audubon Society.
1800's Stone House Rehabilitated
November 2014 – Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy funded the rehabilitation of the stone house. The Conservancy office is housed there.
Salado Creek Greenway Parking Lot Completed
November 2013 – Salado Creek Greenway Trailhead Parking Lot completed
PHP Urban Ecology Center
September 2013 – The Phil Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center grand opening was celebrated. Built of limestone and other materials native to the park, the $6.3 million PHP Urban Ecology Center includes 18,600 square feet of recreation and education space that includes a classroom, Gathering Hall, restrooms, picnic areas, additional parking and the trailhead to the new 1.84 mile Savanna Loop trail. The PHP Urban Ecology Center overlooks the newly restored savanna and Golden Age, a commissioned art installation by San Antonio artist Anne Wallace.
Savanna Restoration
September 2013 – Five more acres were seeded with native grasses and wildflowers
Savannah Loop Trail Opened
September 2013 – Savanna Loop Trail opened.
Dairy Barn Restoration
May 2013 – The restoration of the barn was funded through the Voelcker Trust and money raised by members of the Associated General Contractors’ Construction Leadership Forum (CLF), who also donated their time and expertise to the restoration.
Butterfly Meadow Created
October 2012 – The Butterfly Meadow at the Savanna was created with help from NuStar Energy volunteers.
Savanna Restoration
October 2012 – 5 more acres were planted with native grass.
Butterfly Garden
April 2012 – Butterfly Garden was constructed near the Salado building with volunteer help from ECC.
Land Donation
January 2012 – Two acres of land were donated to the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy for a dog park parking lot in PHP East.
Opening of Salado Creek Classroom
December 2011 – The Salado Creek outdoor classroom opened up to the public. The classroom is used for events and education.
Grand Opening of PHP West
May 2011 – The grand opening of Phil Hardberger Park West.
Grand Opening of PHP East
May 2010 – The grand opening of Phil Hardberger Park East.
The Conservancy
December 2009 – The park property was named Phil Hardberger Park. The Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy has been established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to turning the acreage into a premier urban park. Structurally, the Conservancy has 20 board members. The Conservancy is involved with all aspects of the park from planning activities to fundraising.
Savanna Restoration
September 2009 – Three acres were planted with 50,000 plugs of native grass and perennial wildflowers species by more than 400 community volunteers as part of National Public Lands Day.
Acquisition
May 2007 – The citizens of San Antonio passed a bond package including $32 million for the acquisition of the remaining 204 acres of the property.
The Beginning
September 2006 – The first 107 acres was purchased for over $16 million and added to the city’s park inventory.