Let's get closer

TO NATURE

TO WHAT MATTERS

TO OUR GOALS

Houston Parks Board is mapping out a plan to create more outdoor spaces for everyone through Bayou Greenways 2020.

Parks Make Houston Whole

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We are mapping out a plan to create more outdoor spaces for everyone. Through Bayou Greenways 2020, 150 miles of trails, and 3,000 acres of green space will be available to Houstonians, bringing us closer to each other. To that family picnic. To that first and last mile. To what matters most. That’s why Houston Parks Board is sharing the experiences of real Houstonians and is ready to share yours, too. We hope millions of people will voice what they love most about their parks, sharing stories that will encourage others to join in on what we’re creating together. 

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READ THEIR STORIES & HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We are supporting over

250 PARKS

and creating more than

14,000 ACRES

of new green space.

The Office of the Mayor, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Greater Houston Partnership, and Houston Parks Board are challenging 50 companies to come together through monetary contributions, in-kind support, ideas, and volunteering to drive improvements for 50 of Houston's neighborhood parks. Become a 50/50 Park Partner today.

It’s encouraging those who don’t frequent the park to see how nice it is and enjoying the amenities that are available to the entire community.  

When I first heard about Houston Parks Board’s plan to create miles of continuous bayou pathways, my first thought was, “How will that impact my community, and will my community get their share of those dollars and trails?” When Lisa of Houston Parks Board came to our civic association, she showed us a grand plan that was inclusive of our community, and we still weren’t sure if it would happen. But they followed through. They delivered. There were places where trails were put years ago that were in disrepair, and they put maintenance on it to make sure that, 6 months later, there aren’t overgrown weeds and a trail no one will use again. It gave everybody in the community a sense that they were serious about connecting citizens to the Bayou Greenways projects.

We’ve seen a big difference since the trails were put in. My grandkids are 7 and 9. These trails are clean, safe and wide—there’s so much space for them to ride around in. Our community has gotten the sense that this is a project that is inclusive of everyone. They said what they were gonna do, they did it, they delivered it, and it was as good as they said it was going to be. And they’re going to continue with that work with this new resting area at Martin Luther King Boulevard. It’s going to be a nook park with trees and benches. They bought the land there and took the initiative to enhance the trail and put this little park in. We’re really excited about it. 

Thank you to Charles for sharing his story!

This story is a part of a new initiative by Houston Parks Board to share stories about Houstonians' most meaningful park moments across our city. Because parks are a place for all of us. Parks are where we celebrate the things that matter. This is just the start—we will be showcasing the experiences of as many people in as many neighborhoods through as many winding pathways as possible. 

This effort is in celebration of Bayou Greenways 2020 which is bringing together neighborhoods like never before–connecting 150 miles of trails and 3,000 acres of green space. Houston Parks Board is proud to share the experiences of individuals in neighborhoods across our city. These are #ParksByYou. 

The trails and parks with new trees and benches are impacting our Houston communily. My grandkids are able to ride these clean and safe green spaces nearby.

Creating a Trail that's Nearby for Everyone

You don’t want to hear, “This used to be here.” You want to enjoy it while you have it. You want to take your shoes off and walk around and absorb that energy out there. Nature puts life into us every time we take a breath. It’s a moment of meditation, peace, and solitude. And fellowship in the midst of good company.

We enjoy doing things together. We combine the best of what he does with the best of what I do in a joint effort, but we’re each involved in different things.

You want to enjoy it while you have it. You want to take your shoes off and walk around and absorb that energy out there.

Fellowship in Good Company

At first, I led short distances. I didn’t think we’d make it through that first mile. But gradually we built up and finished a half marathon, and then a full marathon. It was my first view of what parks could be. Now we train all the time. 

We have free 5Ks every first and last Sunday of the month, hosted by the Houston Wellness Center. We train for Chevron and runs across the nation, like Big Sur. We run White Oak Bayou, George Bush Park, Memorial Park, Buffalo Bayou. We go downtown, by the aquarium. We run all summer, hot or cold. In a city like Houston, it’s possible to do that. I feel like we are blessed in Houston. We have so much space. I can’t believe all of this is available to us, right in the middle of the city. 

Running together has changed us. One of our runners is a young man who was in the navy. During his exit physical, he discovered a family history of high blood pressure. Even though he was only 22 at the time, he had the option of taking pills or making changes in his life. He chose running. Now his health is under control. And he’s not the only one. Four or five of our runners have actually gone med-free because of running. One of our most elite runners has arthritis and lupus. Running has kept her pain manageable.

We do everything and anything that promotes a positive lifestyle and helping one another. We visit nursing homes. We volunteer during the holidays. When one of the ladies in our group was diagnosed with breast cancer last Fall, we took turns bringing weekly meals. It’s all about giving back to each other. It lifts us up and keeps us going.

Thank you to Oanh K. for sharing her story!

Once I signed up to coach running, my short distances turned into half marathons then full marathons. The Houston Wellness Center hosts free 5Ks and we run everywhere.

Houston Parks Board

WEEK OF THANKS

Parks Make Houston Whole

EXPLORE A NEW PATH

50/50 Park Partners Challenge

READ THEIR STORIES & HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Trails For Everyone

Fellowship in Good Company

Running at Sunrise