David Hinojosa, artist Armando Hinojosa, Mayor Phil Hardberger, Harvey Najim, and Pat Wilson gather for the unveiling of the Phil Hardberger statue at the Urban Ecology Center on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Photo courtesy of San Antonio Parks and Recreation.
On Tuesday morning, a group of civic and community leaders, longtime friends, conservationists, and supporters gathered at the Urban Ecology Center to honor the man who made Phil Hardberger Park a reality. The morning was led by Mistress of Ceremony and former KENS 5 anchor Deborah Knapp, with an opening prayer by Manny Ruiz, Market President for Prosperity Bank, and reflections by Harvey Najim, John Phillip Santos, and Mayor Hardberger himself. The ceremony served as a warm tribute to the vision that transformed a historic dairy farm into a 330-acre nature sanctuary in the heart of the city.
Commissioned through the generosity of Harvey Najim and the Najim Charitable Foundation, the statue was brought to life by renowned Laredo artist Armando Hinojosa. The bronze likeness captures the Mayor’s welcoming spirit. At 91, Mayor Hardberger remains a familiar presence on the trails, and he is frequently found walking among the trees he worked to preserve.
“With Phil Hardberger Park, we are creating a park not just for ourselves and our children, but for the centuries,” said former Mayor Phil Hardberger. Reflecting on the long-term stewardship of the land during his remarks, he added: “We need this land left as it is, loved as it is, used as it is [and it] will be, if we follow those simple rules, what it will be doing 1,000 years from today.”
The ceremony highlighted how much the park has come to mean to San Antonio’s identity over the last two decades.
“Advocating for the creation of a park is an act of compassion,” said filmmaker and author John Phillip Santos. “From the day when Phil first famously put his arms around that giant oak... his vision was that this place for the people might remain in its wildest state.”
The dedication served as a reminder of the leadership required to establish the park as the city grew around it. What began as a 311-acre purchase has grown into a 330-acre national model for urban ecology and is home to the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge.
“It's an oasis in the middle of an urban core. You're not going to find it anywhere else in San Antonio,” said Melissa Kazen, Executive Director of Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy. “Today, we unveiled a statue of Mayor Phil Hardberger, who is the park's founder. It is a great tribute to a man who had a great vision for green spaces in San Antonio.”
The Conservancy extends its deepest gratitude to Harvey Najim for his vision in commissioning this tribute, Armando Hinojosa for capturing the Mayor’s spirit and legacy, and Pat Wilson for his work in coordinating the installation.