The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has awarded $1 million for Phil Hardberger Park and $750,000 for Mission County Park.

The Urban Indoor Recreation Grant given to San Antonio's Phil Hardberger Park will be used for the construction of a 4,000-square-foot urban ecology center to educate children and adults about the wildlife and ecosystems the exist within the city, said Krystal Strong, the park's project manager.

“It will show the relationship between residents and their environment,” Strong said.

Public meetings and planning for the building should start in the next couple months with construction beginning in a year, she said.

The grant will also fund a rainwater-harvesting system, tree planting and interpretive signs. The park is to open in November.

On the other side of the city, Mission County Park will use the state funds to establish a view corridor from the San Antonio River access point to Mission San José, a trail extension with an entry portal and overlook, interpretive signs, playgrounds, habitat restoration, additional parking and restroom renovation.