A recently published book contains essays and photos chronicling daily life in one of the largest public parks north of San Antonio– from the flora and fauna that thrive there to the humans who go there to enjoy themselves.

Developed by a local non-profit organization Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy“Phil Hardberger Park: a story in photographs » includes an introduction from the park’s namesake who, as mayor of San Antonio in the 2000s, spearheaded efforts to turn 330 acres of former dairy farmland into a sprawling urban park.

The conservation hosted a mix on June 9 at the park’s Urban Ecology Center, with Hardberger himself appearing alongside local author John Phillip Santos, who contributed to the new book.

The event featured exhibits of eight photos featured in the book, copies of which were sold and provided to attendees of the mix who obtained autographs from Hardberger and Santos.

Conservation officials said they commissioned three photographers – Al Rendon, Steve Slate and Justin Moore – in 2019 to capture images of typical life inside Phil Hardberger Park, as well as the construction of the Robert Tobin Land Bridge. , which spans the Wurzbach promenade and connects the two sides of the park. .

Several other photographers are park visitors who have submitted their photos for inclusion in the book, the reserve said.

Santos said he remembers growing up not far from what was the Voelcker family’s dairy farm in north-central San Antonio, between Castle Hills and Shavano Park.

Hardberger said he initially knew little or nothing about the old farm when he was mayor between 2005 and 2009.

But when a group of residents called on the city to take action and preserve the old farmhouse and save it from development, Hardberger said he moved quickly to get the city to secure the land.

Hardberger said he learned a lot about the history of the Voelcker family and learned to embrace the richness of an area that was virtually untouched. The city acquired the land for $50 million and designated it a public park, Hardberger said. Hardberger said he especially liked the amount of trees around the park.

“It’s a lot more forested than you would expect to see on a dairy farm,” Hardberger said.

According to Hardberger, it was important to him and other park advocates that much of the land remain in a natural state so that much of Hardberger Park could serve as an example of “living history”.

“We wanted to preserve the way God made [the park]. You cannot perfect the works of nature,” Hardberger said.

As a non-profit organization, the conservation raises funds to help maintain Hardberger Park and offers a variety of nature education programs for all ages.

Hardberger himself and conservation were instrumental in raising $10 million in private funds for a total $23 million project to build a unique land bridge in the park, which opened to the public in December 2020.

Hardberger said it was difficult to deal with criticism from many residents who chastised the city for including a $13 million proposal in the city’s $850 million bond that voters ultimately approved in 2017.

Proceeds from the bond were used to help build the land bridge, which Hardberger described as something that could bring people together and reflect a positive attitude in San Antonio.

“Some people were looking at the downsides, not the upsides. I thought, “Let’s build something in San Antonio that will outlive us,” Hardberger said.

Hardberger said he supports efforts by park conservation, other groups and individuals to help preserve Hardberger Park and make it accessible to more people.

“I think we need to have programs that capture the imaginations and memories of our youth,” he added.

Proceeds from the sale of “Phil Hardberger Park: A Story in Photographs” are donated to park conservation. Copies are available for sale at The twig bookstore and bookstore out of nowhere.