Zilker Nature Sites: Hartman Prehistoric Garden

            As I walked through the garden, I found it incredibly beautiful, but as I reflected on the garden’s meaning I became confused.  I visited the garden after hiking through the cedar and oak trees of the Austin Nature Center.  In contrast with that rustic, hill country setting, the garden seems developed, planned and fake.  The natural setting seemed odd in comparison to the rest of Austin.  Like most nature lovers, I was angry that this fake picture of nature was being portrayed.  But then. as I read the plaque stating “In this place, a dinosaur much like the life-sized ornithomimid before you, walked across muddy tidal flats.  It left footprints that turned to stone, providing a glimpse of life along the shores of a shallow seaway in Central Texas, 100 million years ago”.  I began to think how stuck I am in the 21^st century.  The world hasn’t always looked like it does now.  At one point, Austin was close to the ocean; the climate and setting were drastically different.  While I found the tracks incredible, I also think this garden provides a valuable experience in the natural changes of Austin’s landscape that have occurred over time.