Tobin Land Bridge in the Phil Hardberger Park - San Antonio, TX USA
N 29° 33.529 W 098° 31.475
14R E 546054 N 3269994
A large land bridge for animals (and humans) to use when traveling through the Phil Hardberger Park in north central San Antonio, TX was opened 11 Dec 2020. The land bridge crosses over Wurbach Parkway and connects the two parts of Hardberger Park.
Waymark Code: WM13MFZ
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 01/07/2021
Views: 7
Since getting approval and funding from the 2017 Bond, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the City of San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department have been working with various private sector investors, to coordinate building what has turned out to be the nation's largest animal land bridge. This animal crossing bridge, named the Robert L. B. Tobin Land Bridge connects the Phil Hardberger Park (West) with the Phil Hardberger Park (East). This land used to be part of the Voelcher Homestead, but is now a very popular recreational park in north central San Antonio, TX.
Wurzbach Parkway is a four lane divided highway that is an intercity major traffic artery between many of the fastest growing areas in the City of San Antonio. It also bisects the Phil Hardberger Park into a West park and an East park. With this bridge now officially opened on 11 Dec 2020, both the animals and the hikers on the park's pathways can use this animal crossing bridge to avoid the heavy traffic and access the park as one united land mass.
The benefits to the animals is they now avoid getting hit by cars or trucks and can utilize the whole park area as their home instead of living in just half the park. For those walkers and hiker humans, this Tobin Land Bridge can offer longer hikes with the same safety features offered the animals: mainly, a safe crossing of Wurzbach Parkway and a continuity to all parts of the parkland.
The crossing bridge offers two separate paths. The path for humans to cross is generally visibly blocked from the animal path's view. High berms of earth and strategically placed landscaping offer a natural look along both pathways, with the people path being narrower and following along the east side of the bridge. The animal crossing path is significantly wider with mixtures of open grassy areas, rock formations, tall and short clusters of dense vegetation, tall trees and short shrubs. The elevations are varied, as is the mix of plants, coverings, and rock structures. It simulates much of the rest of the park's appearance and biome.
Interestingly, there is a metal observation blind made of Core-10 steel that have artistic designs of flora and fauna cut into the metal siding so people can sit inside the blinds to watch the animals crossing over.
From the West part of the park, enter the park at 8400 NW Military Hwy. Follow the Savanna Loop trail to get to the west side of the animal crossing bridge. Signage along the path will guide you to the animal crossing bridge. This is the relatively longer path to take to get to the land bridge.
From the East part of the park, enter at 13203 Blanco Rd. and follow the Water Loop trail to the east side of the animal crossing bridge. This is the relatively shorter pathway to take to get to the animal crossing bridge.
Both parts of the Phil Hardberger Park are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Link to Austin Citymap article on the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge:
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Link to supplemental information on this land bridge in the Phil Hardberger Park:
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visit link)