I’m privileged. I’m lucky to work at Bank of America, which has workout facility that’s always open, with a bicycle entrance and storage room. The reality is that many people have been walking or biking to work without these paths for years and years. These new trails create a safer, healthier lifestyle for everyone. 

I ride without headphones or earbuds because I want to enjoy nature. You can’t really enjoy it in a car, even if you have a convertible. You don’t hear nature the way you do when you’re bicycling or running. It’s about noticing the little things—people in the neighborhood enjoying the outdoors throughout the year—exercising, walking with their children, spending time at the softball fields. 

It’s something that we don’t see because we live in a car culture, so it gives you a different perspective of the real city we live in. Unless you’re riding or walking, you don’t see these spaces everywhere—from the Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park to Mason Park along Brays Bayou—an oasis along the bayou with a nice bridge you can walk or ride across. 

And on White Oak Bayou, north of 43rd, there is some green space you won’t see from a car—ever. It’s hard to imagine that you’re in the 4th largest city with 6 million people because there’s so much green space out here. It’s beautiful. It takes you away from your daily worries. 

Thank you to David 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. 

Riding without headphones

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!

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.

Finding Parks for Our Kids

I’m 80: the oldest by only 2 weeks. The youngest is 72. When we started out, some of us weren’t in the best health and we could go little more than half a mile. Now we’ve worked up to 2 miles a day. It’s nice to know there’s a world out there that can be enjoyed and you don’t just have to sit at home in your rocking chair. It has been one of the best things that has happened to us. We have the greatest time on the trails at Herman Brown Park. We laugh so much. 

Walking in the park has really opened up a whole world for all us. We’ve made so many friends along the way that if we have to skip a day, people say, “Where have y’all been? We miss you!” One day when we were walking, we discovered a community garden maintained by the City of Houston and Furr High School. They needed volunteers so we adopted 3 plant beds. We’ve gotten to know the instructors and the students. It’s been a joy to grow vegetables and share a fresh harvest with the community.

That can be nothing but good for you. Once you start doing it, you’ll never regret it. Life is good.

Walking in the gardens has opened up a new world for us. Even in the Houston heat, we go out and walk. We've grown fresh vegetables and shared them with the communities.

Relax & Retreat Stories

Mornings at Brock Park

Riding Without Headphones

Finding Our Own Place

Sassy Silver Steppers