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In pictures: a San Antonio land bridge designed for wildlife and people
Spanning a six-lane highway and located in a public park, this crossing is part of a larger restoration of endangered Texas prairie land
TL;DR
- Phil Hardberger park in San Antonio is a 311-acre public space focused on restoring native prairie land and enhancing residents' quality of life.
- A centerpiece of the park is the 150ft-wide Robert LB Tobin land bridge, designed for wildlife and pedestrian crossings over a six-lane highway.
- The park aims to restore 75% of its area to Texas prairie, one of North America's most endangered ecosystems.
- Landscape architects Stimson Studio and Rialto Studio designed the land bridge, inspired by European wildlife crossings, to seamlessly integrate with the park's natural landscape.
- The land bridge was conceived to overcome the ecological barrier created by a highway built through the park's open space.
- Design features include pedestrian-accessible areas separated from wildlife paths by berms and plantings, and steel walls to shield animals from headlights and noise.
- Since opening in 2020, wildlife such as deer, coyotes, and bobcats have been observed using the land bridge.
- The park also includes viewing sheds, a native plant garden, and trails, with over 180 bird species counted.
- Connectivity for wildlife is highlighted as a critical aspect of ecological health and landscape preservation.