Gordan Hartman, homebuilder and philanthropist, unveiled plans for the $28 million Morgan’s Wonderland Camp on Tuesday.
The 100-acre camp will cover a hilltop off Evans Road and Cibilo Vista, not far from the J.W. Marriott Resort, on the Far North Side.
Hartman said it will serve more than 525 campers of all ages and abilities with 20 cabins, five pools, an amphitheater, a nature area and petting zoo.
He said there are a lot of activities for campers, including flying over the Live Oak trees that cover the camp.
“There’ll be a zipline that will be specially designed to allow for people who may have thought they could ever go on a zipline to be on a zipline,” Hartman said.
He said other activities at the camp include horseback riding, hiking, archery, cycling, swimming and more.
Camp sessions include one day, weekend, and weekly sessions.
The Edwards Aquifer Authority will operate an education center where campers can learn all about the main source of water for the two million residents of San Antonio and South Central Texas.
The center and camp sit on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, where runoff from rains enter the huge and cavernous limestone structure that naturally stores water.
EAA General Manager Roland Ruiz thanked Hartman for collaborating with the authority and granting the planned center a role at the camp. He said it will allow the authority to increase public awareness about the aquifer.
Valero Energy is also a founding partner of the camp, stepping up with some major funding, according to a news release.
Hartman said construction should take one year.
Hartman also created Morgan’s Wonderland, described in a news release as a world leader in inclusive theme parks and ultra-accessible attractions. Both the theme park and camp are named for Hartman’s daughter.
Morgan’s Wonderland will host the Special Olympics Texas’ Summer Games in 2020.
Brian Kirkpatrick can be reached at Brian@TPR.org and on Twitter at @TPRBrian.
