The development of Hartman Reserve originally involved a three-fold plan. The first goal of the Reserve was the protection of the valuable woodland area that is part of a quickly decreasing resource. In all Black Hawk County, Hartman has the last sizable upland forest that has remained relatively undisturbed. Economic development would have certainly destroyed this land if it had not been purchased for conservation purposes.

    The second objective was to promote the environmental education of the public and to provide area residents with a place of peaceful solitude. In 1974, conservationists began planning for the creation of a nature center within the property. This center was established for the purpose of educating people of all ages in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area, about the local flora and fauna.

    The third reason for establishing Hartman was to facilitate flood control and minimize damage during the more or less annual flooding along the Cedar River. Most of Hartman is located on a floodplain and a considerable portion of its land is frequently under water during the flood season. Development of this floodplain not only would have contributed to costly property damage whenever the river rose but would have aggravated problems elsewhere along the river.

    Currently, the Reserve is used by both public and staff in a variety of ways. The residents of the communities of Cedar Falls and Waterloo use the park primarily for its walking and biking trails and for the opportunity it affords to enjoy the beauties of nature. For the staff of Hartman Reserve, the park serves as a conservation site and provides a valuable educational facility. The Interpretive Center contains exhibits related to local plants and animals and their habitats, other educational materials, and a gift shop.