Students will enjoy bridge, pavilion, gardens and more
EL PASO, Texas (March 4, 2026) – Students at The University of Texas at El Paso will soon be able to study, socialize or just relax in a beautiful natural park located at the center of campus. UTEP President Heather Wilson and Vice President for Business Affairs Col. (Ret.) Brendan Gallagher, Ph.D., unveiled the plans for the restoration of the arroyo at a celebration event today.
Students at The University of Texas at El Paso will soon be able to study, socialize and relax in a beautiful natural park located at the center of campus. Today UTEP President Heather Wilson unveiled plans for the arroyo, including a large pavilion and gathering area that offers seating and shade; a bridge that spans across the arroyo, connecting Texas Western Hall to the Union; installation of an owl sculpture from the home of artist Tom Lea; and terraced lawns and a tree grove outside of newly completed Texas Western Hall.
With the removal of the Liberal Arts Building, the arroyo it sits on will be fully restored, extending the beauty of Centennial Plaza’s landscape architecture across the arroyo and up to Texas Western Hall. Plans for UTEP’s Arroyo Park include:
A large pavilion and gathering area, reflective of Bhutanese architecture, that offers seating and shade;
A bridge that spans across the arroyo, connecting Texas Western Hall to the Union inspired by the bridges of Bhutan;
Installation of an owl sculpture from the home of artist Tom Lea;
Chihuahuan desert landscaping and plants;
Terraced lawns and a tree grove outside of newly completed Texas Western Hall.
“The arroyo will be restored to its natural beauty, with adjoining gardens that are as beautiful as the rest of our campus,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson.
The design of the restoration and Arroyo Park was completed by Ten Eyck Landscape Architects. Ten Eyck has been the landscape architect for UTEP for over 25 years and designed Centennial Plaza.
“This project stands as a testament to UTEP’s dedication to reconnecting students with the vital, historic arroyo that courses from the Franklin Mountain watershed. By restoring both the ecological health and cultural significance of this sacred path, UTEP reinforces its mission to bring together people, place, and culture in meaningful ways,” said Christine E. Ten Eyck, president of Ten Eyck Lanscape Architects. “The newly constructed bridge—linking Texas Western Hall and the Student Union—beautifully embodies this vision. Not only does it serve as a practical passage, but it also symbolizes the university’s ongoing commitment to fostering connection and honoring the unique landscape that shapes the campus experience.”
The owl sculpture, a gift from Tom Lea’s family, came from the yard of his home in El Paso. The sculpture was originally created for the El Paso Library, but was the wrong size so was retained by Lea. Next to the owl will be a quote from John Burroughs’ book The Summit of the Years: “I go to books and to nature as the bee goes to a flower, for the nectar that I can make into my own honey.”
Arroyo Park will be completed in two phases, with the southern half closest to Texas Western Hall scheduled for completion in 2028. Phase two, the northern half, will begin at a later date for better integration with the Union renovation project. The project will be fully complete by 2031.
The overall style of Arroyo Park will match that of Centennial Plaza, reflecting the Bhutanese-inspired architecture of campus. Natural rock outcroppings will be maintained.
“We are designing this park to meet the needs of our growing campus community,” Gallagher said. “It will offer a space for students to study and relax, all while enjoying the natural environment around them.”
Texas Western Hall, the newest learning complex on campus, opened in January 2026 to replace the aging Liberal Arts building. Funds from the $110 million construction project — supported by the Texas legislature and The University of Texas System Board of Regents — were set aside to complete Arroyo Park. UTEP has sufficient funds to build all the desired features in both phases of Arroyo Park because that project was managed well and came in on time and under budget.
Constructed in 1961, the Liberal Arts building was originally built to serve a campus of 4,000 students. In fall 2025, UTEP enrollment surpassed 26,000 students for the first time in history.
Last Updated on March 04, 2026 at 12:00 AM | Originally published March 04, 2026
By MC Staff
UTEP Marketing and Communications