A NOTE FROM OUR LEADERSHIP
We would like to thank you for supporting our mission to expand, improve, and protect parks and greenspace in the Houston region.
Fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024) was a pivotal year for our organization. Building on our past success, we also looked to the future and adopted a 5-year Strategic Plan focused on four core priorities:
Our plan builds on the success of Bayou Greenways and nearly 50 years of undertaking park projects of all scales, from ‘pocket parks’ like University Village Park (5,000 square feet) to transformational projects such as the reimagining of historic MacGregor Park along Brays Bayou Greenway and creating a new nature-based destination park along Sims Bayou Greenway, Hill at Sims.
In addition to capital projects, we’re eager to develop resources to codify our work and share with partners, both public and private, who are undertaking park and trail work. We were proud to release a comprehensive set of Design Guidelines for Greenways and Pedestrian and Bike Trails this year. Greenways create a linear park system, creating vital connections across urban landscapes, offering recreational opportunities, transportation alternatives, and environmental benefits. In Houston, Bayou Greenways have transformed Houston by connecting neighborhoods, supporting flood mitigation, and promoting equity and sustainability. The Design Guidelines establish standards to ensure greenways are comfortable, safe, and high-quality. It consolidates existing regulations, provides flexible recommendations, and outlines aspirations for greenway development. As Houston’s green landscape continues to evolve and expand, these guidelines balance practical implementation with optimal design while adapting to field conditions, ensuring greenways are comfortable, safe, and identifiable to all Houstonians.
Thank you to our 36-member Board of Directors and our talented staff for ushering in this exciting era for Houston’s park system. In June 2024, Barron Wallace became the Immediate Past Chair after five years as Chairman of the HPB Board of Directors. Barron’s leadership guided us through the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded the Bayou Greenways system, and paved the way for the future of our work. We can’t thank Barron enough for his extraordinary service to HPB and the board of directors.
In July 2024, Dr. Cullen K. Geiselman Muse, who has served on the HPB Board for the past ten years, became Chair of the HPB Board of Directors. Cullen brings a wealth of knowledge to this role through her considerable board service and expertise as a bat biologist, conservationist, and philanthropist.
Beth White
President & CEO, Houston Parks Board
Connect communities by enhancing, expanding, and linking the Bayou Greenways System.
Slide arrows (left to right) to see before and after comparisons of improvement to the Inwood Forest/Vogel Creek Greenway, a one-mile linear park and trail that provides multiple benefits, including social equity, sustainability, community engagement, and flood mitigation.
Bayou Greenways is a network of linear parks and trails across the Houston Region.
Thanks to the Kinder Foundation’s catalyst gift of $50 million in 2013, followed by a $100 million bond from Houston voters, and a collaboration of numerous philanthropists and government partners, HPB has completed over 160 miles of greenway trails and amenities along nine major bayous. The Bayou Greenways system hosts over 8.5 million visits annually. HPB is connecting more communities by leveraging Bayou Greenways to become the ever-expanding green spine of a regional park and trail system.
In fiscal year 2024, the Bayou Greenways system expanded with 10 additional miles of trails and amenities along Brays, San Jacinto, Sims, and White Oak Bayous. These segments expand recreational access for nearby communities and connections between neighborhood parks and people.
HPB is now focusing on expanding the Bayou Greenways system, specifically linking more communities by adding connector trails between Bayou Greenways. We are planning the construction of 50 miles of new greenways as part of our strategic plan.
neighborhood-park
Revitalize neighborhood parks by investing in improvements and local greenspaces.
Neighborhood parks are 1-15 acres in size and embedded in residential communities. They are within walking distance of most nearby residents and are the most frequently visited parks for surrounding neighbors, serving as recreation and civic engagement hubs. Providing access to neighborhood parks is critical to the quality of life in urban areas, as time spent in parks improves mental and physical health, promotes civic pride and neighborhood cohesion, spurs economic development, mitigates flood risk, and improves air quality.
Neighborhood parks are essential for a community to thrive. At HPB’s founding in 1976, our sole purpose was restoring neighborhood parks, and it continues to be a vital part of our legacy.
Thanks to the power of public-private partnerships, we are proud to have transformed 17 underserved neighborhood parks in fiscal year 2024.
| No. | Park Name |
| 1 | Tuffly Park |
| 2 | Love Park |
| 3 | Freeway Manor Park |
| 4 | Bendwood Park |
| 5 | Nieto Park |
| 6 | Dow Park |
| 7 | Mayfair Park |
| 8 | Aaron Ledet Park |
| 9 | Scenic Woods Park |
| 10 | Forest West Park |
| 11 | Grimes Park |
| 12 | Oak Meadow Park |
| 13 | Tanglewilde Park |
| 14 | Briarbend Park |
| 15 | Cliff Tuttle Park |
| 16 | Hidalgo Park |
| 17 | Braeburn Glen Park |
HPB celebrated upgrades with communities across the city with the generous support of these sponsors:
landmark-destinations
Create landmark destinations along Bayou Greenways by developing and improving regional parks in Houston.
As part of our strategic plan, we have made significant progress in our efforts to create and improve regional parks along the Bayou Greenways.
MacGregor Park
MacGregor Park is undergoing a historic improvement that will not only preserve its cultural significance but also update its amenities to better serve the surrounding community’s needs. Thanks to a $27 million catalyst gift from Kinder Foundation, we are closer to transforming this beloved park.
Significant milestones have been achieved in the MacGregor Park project last year, including:
- Houston City Council approved long-planned renovations to MacGregor Park following a comprehensive and community-based master plan process.
- The award-winning design firm Hood Design Studio, led by renowned landscape designer Walter Hood, joined the project.
In fiscal year 2024, HPB hosted and participated in 7 community events that engaged with the public on the future of MacGregor Park, ensuring the community remains at the core of the plan’s development. As we move forward on this project, the design and construction will be overseen by a standards committee comprised of representatives from the City of Houston, Kinder Foundation, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, and HPB. We anticipate starting construction in 2026 and completing the improvements in 2028.
The 3rd Annual Art Bike Parade and Festival took place on May 11, 2024, in MacGregor Park and brought close to 3,000 community members and attendees to cheer on hundreds of parade participants. Thank you to the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, Mayor’s Office of Special Events, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, and Houston Independent School District for partnering on this event. A special shout out to Bun B for presenting this year’s awards!
Hill at Sims
HPB is serving as the project manager of the Hill at Sims, partnering with Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis of Precinct One and Harris County Flood Control to transform a 100-acre regional flood detention basin into a new regional park in the Sunnyside neighborhood. The $30 million project exemplifies dual-purpose infrastructure, offering recreational amenities to an underserved community while fulfilling its primary flood control function.
The Hill at Sims will add 4.5 miles of new hike-and-bike trails and a beautiful new pedestrian bridge connection to nearly 20 miles of linear trails and greenspace along Sims Bayou Greenway. The recreational amenities of Hill at Sims will include a hilltop pavilion (with a sweeping view of downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and NRG stadium), access to the Hill via trails with three overlook areas, a 1.6-mile loop and nature trails, a 2,000-square-foot open-air nature pavilion with restrooms and a storage area, and flexible lawn space for active programming. Construction has begun and is estimated to be complete by the end of 2025.
champion-parks
Champion parks and greenspace through awareness, partnerships and funding
HPB’s 2023 Annual Luncheon
Thank you to each of our 425 supporters and partners who attended our annual luncheon on October 17, 2023. We enjoyed an incredible day on Avenida de las Americas Plaza in celebration of Paths, Prairies, and Playgrounds.
HPB was honored to welcome Chuck Sams, the Director of the National Park Service, as our special guest. In a special “Parkside” chat, HPB President and CEO Beth White and Director Sams discussed Director Sams’ work in national parks, his thoughts on public and private sector partnership, advocating for parks, and much more.
We were thrilled to raise a record-breaking $715,000 to support our mission. HPB is deeply grateful to event co-chairs Kristin and Aaron Blomquist and Sis and Hasty Johnson for hosting a wonderful event and championing a more equitable and resilient Houston!
Mayoral Forum
HPB is uniquely positioned to convene the public sector, private sector donors, and neighborhood groups to align their goals and make their collective voices heard. A shining example of our impact through collaboration was the Mayoral Forum at Emancipation Park on October 5, 2023, facilitated by HPB and more than 20 other green groups.
ParkScore® Index Rating
Houston’s Park landscape continues to grow and thrive, as reflected in the latest ParkScore® rankings by the Trust for Public Land (TPL). We are pleased that the city moved up three spots in 2024 to rank #68 of the 100 largest cities in the United States.
This work would not be possible without the extensive number of public and private organizations that donate resources, time, and funds to improve our park system. While much work is ahead, we are excited about the progress and will redouble our efforts to continue building sustainable, equitable parks and greenspaces alongside our dedicated partners.
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
These features have helped amplify our mission and highlight the critical role that our parks and trail system plays in enhancing quality of life and fostering community connections.
Conservation & Maintenance
We are committed to maintaining our greenspaces to ensure they remain safe and functional. A significant part of our annual budget is dedicated to conservation and maintenance.
Conservation is an integral part of our work at Houston Parks Board. This past year, we were excited to receive two competitive conservation-focused grants to advance critical work.
With grant support from CITGO Caring for Our Coast and the National Estuaries Program (NEP) Watersheds Grants administered by Restore America’s Estuaries and funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency, our team is actively working on long-term projects that will enhance our grasslands and wetlands.
We are creating (or restoring) eight areas of wetland and grassland habitats along four major tributaries to Galveston Bay: Greens, Sims, Hunting, and Brays Bayous. In addition, we are restoring the natural habitat of grassland buffers, native prairies, and native landscapes along a newly established section of a trail adjacent to Brays Bayou Greenway. By re-establishing these pockets of critical habitat, both native and migrating birds, bats, and butterflies will be able to thrive.
A high standard of care is essential to sustaining the quality of our greenspaces. Our Conservation and Maintenance team regularly mows, removes litter, clears paths and debris, removes graffiti, restores amenities, and cleans up after floods. We maintain over 100 miles of trails and over 3,300 acres of greenspace, and we take pride in ensuring these areas remain beautiful and accessible.
Conservation & Maintenance by the Numbers
#ParksByYou Day
On Saturday, February 24th, HPB hosted #ParksByYou Day along White Oak Bayou near T.C. Jester Boulevard. The event drew over 100 volunteers who dedicated three hours of time and sweat equity to restoring the native coastal prairie along the White Oak Bayou Greenway hike-and-bike trail. Restoration MCC Church allowed volunteers and staff to park onsite. HPB Conservation staff provided tools, gloves, and other equipment as they led groups of volunteers planting grass along the bayou.
Community Engagement
At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to engaging the communities we serve. We are committed to proactive communication and collaboration with residents, stakeholders, and community organizations.
Through public meetings, surveys, and workshops, we actively sought feedback and ideas, integrating them into our project planning and development processes. In fiscal year 2024, our engagement efforts included:
- Three new community partnerships with the Houston Marathon Foundation, Houston Grand Opera, and Fit Houston to help activate the Bayous Greenways and Connector Trails, such as Sims Bayou Greenway, the Spring Branch Trail, and MacGregor Park.
- Over 40 in-person or virtual community meetings, forums, events, and workshops hosted by HPB, reaching over 7,200 individuals.
- Over 60 additional meetings and events in which HPB participated, reaching over 3,600 people.
FY24 FINANCIALS
Our important work is supported by a variety of donors and partners, both public and private. For a more complete picture, please refer to the Houston Parks Board audited financial statements.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS FY2024 DONORS
We are incredibly grateful to our donors and partners who have made HPB’s mission possible. Donors listed include gifts and pledge payments made during the fiscal year from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.