Houston Parks Board

Please exercise caution on the Bayou Greenways! Once the storm dies down, our Maintenance team and dedicated contractors will soon be out to survey the trails and debris, closing them as needed. If there is mud on the Greenways from the rain, surfaces may be slippery. We recommend staying off the Greenways if possible today. Keep up to date on the flooding at fwsalerts.org. We hope you are all staying safe. Photo: Houston Parks Board

What combines green infrastructure and flood mitigation? Check out Next City's recent article on “sponge cities” at https://bit.ly/4bwJyir. From planting native plant species to protecting Houston’s wetlands and wet swales, HPB’s Conservation and Maintenance team is already working towards making Houston spongier. #GreenInfrastructure #HoustonGreenspace #ParksByYou

Happy Fourth of July! Looking for ideas on how to spend your day off? In addition to a stroll along the Bayou Greenways, check out Visit Houston's Independence Day guide: https://bit.ly/3xNeh7G. Photo: Katy Anderson #IndependenceDay #ParksByYou #HoustonParks

Last week, it was great to hear keynote speakers Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome and Jacqueline Lu speak on advancing park and greenspace equity at the City Parks Alliance Greater and Greener 2024 conference. With discussions on environmental justice and supportive technology, we look forward to bringing what we learned back to Houston, continuing our work towards a more resilient and equitable region. Photo: Houston Parks Board #GreaterandGreener #HoustonParks #Conservation

Wetlands play a crucial role in Houston’s landscape.💧 Houston’s wetlands act as nature's sponges to absorb excess rainwater, reduce the risk of flooding, provide critical habitat for plant and animal species, and serve as natural filtration systems. HPB Conservation Technician Christina Lee says it best: “By preserving and restoring these natural areas, HPB is working to enhance the city’s resilience to flooding, protect biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.” Read more about how wetlands help Houston on the HPB Blog ➡️ https://bit.ly/4eBlaiv. Photo: Anthony Rathbun #Conservation #HoustonWetlands #StormSeason

ICYMI: Renovations are coming to MacGregor Park! Leading the design, Walter Hood with Hood Design Studio is taking on this major revitalization effort along with collaborative partners. Read more from The Architect's Newspaper at https://bit.ly/3KYxEDm. #ParksByYou #MacGregorPark #HOUNews

We thank our Board Chair! At the end of June, Barron Wallace will close five years of service as Board Chair of the HPB Board of Directors. We are thankful to Barron for his remarkable service and leadership. It takes an extraordinary leader to guide this dynamic organization: ensuring Bayou Greenways achieved over 150 miles of connected trails, leading the improvement of more than 25 neighborhood parks, progressing two major regional park projects in revitalizing MacGregor Park and creating a new park at Hill at Sims, and heralding in a strategic plan which maps our path forward to conceive and deliver for many outstanding new projects to come. Above all, Barron championed and deepened our understanding of equity in respect to parks and greenspace. We are deeply grateful for Barron’s unwavering leadership and dedication during his tenure as Board Chair and are especially thankful that he will stay on for another year on the Board in an Immediate Past Chair Officer role. Keep an eye out! 👀 A blog post is coming where you can read more about Barron’s time on the HPB Board. See ➡️ https://bit.ly/3xmiEMr. Photo: Anthony Rathbun

We love a before and after! 🌱 On #ParksByYou Day this past February, many amazing volunteers joined us in planting native plants and grasses along the scenic White Oak Bayou Greenway. The goal was to restore the prairie at this site, and as you can see, what a job well done! Thank you to all who support HPB by getting their hands a little dirty every once in a while.🧤 See our upcoming volunteer events 🡪 https://bit.ly/40kOFgO. Photo: Anthony Rathbun #ParksByYou #WhiteOakBayouGreenway #NativePlants #BayouGreenways

Today on Juneteenth, we celebrate freedom and pay homage to Black voices in our community. Visit juneteenthhouston.org to learn more about Juneteenth and the events you can attend to honor this day of observance. #JuneteenthHouston #CelebrateFreedom #Houston

Upgrade alert! ⭐ We recently completed construction to upgrade the Sims Bayou Greenway between I-45 and Reveille Park. We added a new 10-foot-wide concrete trail (replacing the existing asphalt trade) that connects the greenway to Reveille Park and Erie Street, Dover Street, and Broadway Street. Along the Sims Bayou Greenway, check out the Houston Botanic Garden to learn more about the conservation of plants and the natural environment. 🌷 Shoutout to our partners! Times Construction, Huitt-Zollars, Inc., and Clark Condon Associates. Photo: Anthony Rathbun #SimsBayouGreenway #BayouGreenways #NewTrail