Phil Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center

Located within the urban reaches of San Antonio, Hardberger Park is a 311-acre park focused on retaining a rich and diverse array of ecosystems. The Urban Ecology Center emphasizes the dynamic interaction between natural and urban systems, fostering the stewardship of the natural and cultural landscape. The complex consists of a series of pavilions which house offices, restrooms, and classrooms. These structures frame outdoor rooms of various scales that allow people to interact with the natural environment in contrasting ways, demonstrating how buildings and people can develop a symbiotic relationship with the native landscape.

The  Center is a model for environmental stewardship through its use of locally sourced and sustainable materials, extensive rainwater harvesting system, and preservation of native, mature trees. The landscaping includes native plants that require no watering. Sliding walls of glass open to create a sunny, screened porch and an outdoor pavilion completely open to the surrounding landscape.

The revenue-generating venue can accommodate up to 250 guests. The Urban Ecology Center cultivates ecologically responsible citizens through educational offerings that focus on botany, wildlife, and general ecology, while connecting the San Antonio community with nature through hands-on discovery.