Before the pandemic, my bike didn’t really get that much use. I bought it years ago and rode quite a bit at first, then it sat in the garage for a long while. The pandemic has changed that. I’ve put more miles on my bike in the past six months than ever before. I am outside so much more right now and I’m really enjoying that. My family is, too—I take my wife, who is currently pregnant with our fourth child, and my three boys to explore new parks.

I work for City Council Member Robert Gallegos as the Director of Public Affairs, so it’s my job to know the ins and outs of the community. But it’s also my passion. I live here, too, and I want to see thriving, vibrant parks in my neighborhood. So do my neighbors. Because I’m part of this community, I get to hear all their ideas and help them get involved to make them a reality. Like the bridge at Mason Park.

I’ve been going to Mason Park since I was a kid and I love taking my kids there now. It has everything a park should have—trails, running paths, and a new pedestrian bridge that connects one side of the park to the other. Prior to this new addition, you had to walk along the narrow sidewalk of a busy road and it felt a bit dangerous. I’ve done it a few times while pushing a stroller and it was scary. Now, you can walk, run, or cycle across the bayou without missing a beat.

When I talk to my neighbors about getting involved to improve our local parks, I ask them, “What role can you play in making your community better?” There are so many ways to be part of a greener vision of Houston’s future. For me, that means talking to the people around me and advocating for positive change wherever there’s a need. 

It was where we could have our own little place with no rules, no guidelines. It was therapeutic for us. We had found a place where we could feel grounded and free at the same time. My kids, in a sense, found home. 

We explored as many new parks as we could and discovered so many we loved. Now the kids decide each week whether they want to try a new park or visit one of their favorites, like “Slide Park,” “Hill Park,” “Castle Park,” or “Sand Park.” Those are their names for them. Slide Park (Josey Lake Park) has a turf grass hill where they like to slide down on cardboard boxes. Hill Park (Hockley Recreational Complex) is where they like to skateboard. My boys love watching the trains and climbing trees there. “Castle Park” is Donovan Park in The Heights and “Sand Park” is the Nature Play Area in Buffalo Bayou Park.

 The place is wide open for them to explore and create their own reality. It’s their home.

We forget that kids take in everything we share with them. My kids are so curious about plants, animals, and flowers now. It’s amazing to see that cultivation in their minds, how they soak it all up. Now my daughter has a favorite flower—sunflowers. Once you start something for a child, they’re automatically interested and you don’t have to teach them to be curious. Their sense of wonder guides them.

Thank you to Rachel for sharing her 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. 

My kids found a sense of home in Houston parks. Josey Lake Park and Donovan Park are some of their favorites. Splash pads, shade, sunflowers, wildlife, there's everything.

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