We started this program because we had been hearing stories from families about how our largest park in Gulfton, Burnett Bayland Park, wasn’t clean or safe. We knew we had to do something. This is our home. We can take ownership of it. So we went through a leadership training with the BakerRipley Community Engineers program, gathered volunteers, and started cleaning up the park. We contacted Keep Houston Beautiful and they helped us with materials. Our work caught the attention of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and they added some lights to make the park safer and more visible. 

As we were working, we noticed an unused community garden right at the entrance to the park. We had a vision of turning it into a butterfly garden, but we didn’t know exactly how to make it happen. I had been involved in Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Complete Communities meetings, and that’s where I met Lisa from Houston Parks Board. I told her about our idea, and she helped us make it happen by connecting us with the staff at Houston Parks Board, and through them, a garden designer.  

Now, whenever we go out and tend the garden, we ask people what they think of the changes. They say, “It’s looking cleaner and beautiful. We feel safer now.” And that’s really what we wanted. Kids will come up to us with their parents and ask what we’re doing. They’ll say, “I want to pick up trash, too. I want to water the plants.” And for the last 3 months, we’ve noticed our recycling cans are being used. It wasn’t easy at first. Gulfton is a diverse community with different cultures from all over. When you’re not from here, it’s hard to understand why recycling is important. I learned about it when I came here. 

Thank you to Maria for sharing her story!

This story is a part of an 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 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. 

Our park in Gulfton, Burnett Bayland Park, wasn't clean or safe. Now with help from the city and volunteers, we've cleaned it up, planted a garden, and started recycling.

Keeping Our Parks Clean

We started documenting the things we would pick up; plastic ware, cigarettes, glass bottles, fast food wrappers. Figured every time we went out it would make a difference, but everyday there is always more.

I spoke to organizations in town in hopes there could be a shared anti-littering message. Our hope is when people see "please don't litter', maybe they would think twice before throwing things out their window. It is always a joy to see the community cleaner.

It's our Earth, our home, we must do what we can to keep it clean.

You see hummingbirds and butterflies, and think how incredible it is that these things were created and exist. And that there is nothing you did to make it come into being.

I recently planted purple cauliflower, and have been blown away by what a miracle it all is. 

Thank you to Rose S. for sharing her story!

As a former City of Houston planner, I’ve had a front-row seat for all the ways that parks and public spaces have served as places to show the historical value of a community. MacGregor Park, which is near my home, has the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and Park Plaza created by the Black Heritage Society. I think many of our parks can show the history, art, or other culturally significant parts of the communities they’re located in.  

I’m a member of Friends of MacGregor Park and I’m proud to be involved in the places that matter to me. I encourage my neighbors to get involved also. If people understand that their collective actions can lead to big and positive change, we can work together to create places for everyone to enjoy. 

Every story is a point of connection. It’s a moment captured. It’s a pathway between one person and so many others. In celebration of the connections we make with each other—as Houstonians and as a people—we’re celebrating real stories about real moments in parks and trails across our city. 

Bayou Greenways 2020 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 showcase the experiences of individuals in neighborhoods across our city as a way of celebrating the way every one of us has made these parks our own. Because parks are for everyone. They’re where we celebrate birthdays, join a running group or try yoga for the first time. They’re where we get away from concrete highways and enjoy what’s right in front of us–our parks, our trails and each other.

We’re showcasing as many people in as many neighborhoods along as many winding paths as possible. We’ll capture your stories and share them on our website for you to share with even more people. That joy is infectious. That joy gets us closer to each other. That joy starts with you. 

Do you want to share your experiences? Send us your story and it could appear in a feature on the website. Just fill out this simple form and we'll connect back with you. Feel free to share as much or as little detail as you want. 

Parks are where we experience the things that matter. Read to hear different Houstonians' favorite park moments. Share your #ParksByYou story with us.

The leader of the running club invited me to join and said, “Just walk with us.” I went from walking to running and now I’m doing marathons. Our group started by running around the neighborhood, then we branched out to parks. It was a breath of fresh air.

There’s this one place over at White Oak Bayou on the top of the bridge, where downtown is behind you. When we go out there early in the morning, with the color of the sky and the way the buildings look, it’s really beautiful. When I run on Sundays, my 13-year-old son follows us on his bike. Running isn’t cool to him because mom does it, you know? But he loves his bike and the trails. He was having challenges with his weight and now he’s healthier and happier. We have a great time out there. We train all over—White Oak Bayou, Memorial Park, Buffalo Bayou, and others. Terry Hershey. That one is home to me. 

If you want to run, you can run. If you want to walk, you can walk. It’s not like any other running club. It’s really like a family. We get together all the time.

We have a GroupMe and someone will mention they’re going out and someone else will respond. We’re never alone. I don’t know if it’s because we’re all different ages and from different parts of the world, but we encourage each other and that’s something you don’t often find these days. After Chevron, our running leader came up with our current challenge: to partner up with someone and hit 2019 miles collectively. And we’re doing that. We’re showing up for each other.

Thank you to Aisha 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. 

Walking, running, marathons—our group does it all. We've been exploring each of the Houston bayous and we, kids and adults included, are much happier and healthier.

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About #ParksByYou Stories

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