In a landmark moment for urban ecology conservation and design, the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge at Phil Hardberger Park has been honored with an ASLA Honor Award in the General Design category by the American Society of Landscape Architects.
This recognition affirms the project's innovative design and ecological vision: a gracefully engineered land bridge that restores landscape connectivity, fosters safe wildlife passage, and showcases the importance of integrating urban infrastructure with natural systems.
“The Land Bridge is more than beautifully designed infrastructure—it’s a bridge that actively connects our community to nature through successful urban ecology”
The award will be presented to the Land Bridge architects, Stimson Studio, in October in New Orleans at the Annual Conference of the ASLA.
A Bridge Beyond Infrastructure
Since opening in December 2020, the Tobin Land Bridge has reconnected the two halves of Phil Hardberger Park, providing safe passage for both people and wildlife across the six-lane Wurzbach Parkway. With more than 50 native plant species reintroduced, the bridge functions as a living habitat, transforming a once-fragmented landscape into a thriving ecological corridor.
“This Honor Award is a tribute to the persistence, vision, and collaboration of the San Antonio community,” said Melissa Kazen, Executive Director of the Conservancy. “The Land Bridge is more than beautifully designed infrastructure—it’s a bridge that actively connects our community to nature through successful urban ecology.”
““A great case study in possibilities... an incredible ecological investment.” ”
A Model for San Antonio and Beyond
Funded by a 2017 voter-approved bond alongside generous private donations and grants, the project demonstrates the power of public and private partnerships to shape a city’s ecological future. Designed by Stimson Studio in collaboration with Rialto Studio, ARUP, SWCA, and Cude Engineers, the bridge has quickly become both a conservation milestone and a civic icon.
The ASLA jury praised the project as “a great case study in possibilities” and “an incredible ecological investment,” underscoring its global significance as a model for other cities seeking to balance growth with conservation.
Looking Forward
The Conservancy remains committed to the ongoing stewardship of Phil Hardberger Park—monitoring wildlife movement, restoring native habitats, and offering programs that connect people of all ages with nature.
This award is more than a recognition of past achievement—it’s an inspiration for the future. By reimagining city infrastructure as living habitat, San Antonio is leading the way toward a more resilient and sustainable urban future.