HPARD has 7 challenging golf courses and 1 junior training course for your golfing enjoyment. Inside the loop you'll find Memorial Park Golf Course, Hermann Park Golf Course and Gus Wortham Park Golf Course. Outside the loop golf course choices include Sharpstown Park Golf Course, Brock Park Golf Course, Glenbrook Park Golf Course and Melrose Park Golf Course. All courses are non-metal spike facilities and all have driving ranges except for Glenbrook Golf Course. (more)
Please note: The New Memorial Park Driving Range is open on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. and the last bucket of balls will be sold at 8:30 p.m. (The Memorial Park Golf Course is closed on Tuesdays).
Junior Golfers can learn the game of golf and valuable life lessons through the First Tee of Houston at F.M. Law Park! The First Tee program focuses on giving young people of all backgrounds the opportunity to develop sportsmanship and integrity through golf and character education, all at no cost. Young people aged 5-18 may participate. (more)
Great Golf, Great Cause
The Gus Wortham Golf Course, built in 1908, is the oldest 18-hole course in Texas and a favorite for Houston’s golfers. The push is on to bring it up to 2008 standards! The Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the Houston Parks Board invite you to tee off in the Gus Wortham Classic on Friday, October 10, 2008, and be part of the effort to raise the funds to bring this grand old course up to USGA standards and add the amenities that will make it a top-flight course! For more information and to register, contact the Houston Parks Board.
Latest News From HPARD
Hermann Park WEEKEND and HOLIDAY parking options have just been expanded, thanks to an agreement with Memorial Hermann Plaza, located at 6400 Fannin! (more)
There is a REVISED Free Day Schedule for the Houston Zoo.
The next Free Day is Monday, October 13.
Closed and Under Repair
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department maintains facilities at 350 developed parks across the city. When a problem occurs, repair crews work to keep downtime to a minimum to insure as rapid a repair as possible. Please report any park or maintenance problems to the department by dialing 311 or accessing the 311 online reporting system at www.houstontx.gov/311/311form.html.
The Tranquillity Park Fountains are currently under repair. Leak detection repairs are expected to be completed in August. At that point the Tranquility Park Fountains will resume partial operation at 45% capacity until the custom main pump can be fabricated and replaced.
Mecom Fountain will be temporarily closed beginning September 2 while minor repairs are made to the fountain lights. Barring any unforeseen complication we anticipate the repair to be completed by the end of the week.
We apologize for any inconvenience these closures may cause.
New Urban Garden Project
Transform vacant lots in your community into urban gardens and harvest tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, beans and a cornucopia of other vegetables! Community Groups interested in transforming city-owned vacant land can partner with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department to participate in the Urban Garden Project. To learn how to apply contact theurbangardener@cityofhouston.net or by mail at The Urban Gardener, 601 Sawyer Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Greenspace Management Division, Houston, Texas 77007.
Keith-Wiess Park Flood Control Project
On Friday, August 15, Keith-Wiess Park's new 112-acres of detention ponds were unveiled. The detention ponds were designed to appear to be natural lakes and to compliment the natural environment of the 500-acre park. The grand opening was attended by Mayor Bill White, Council Member Jarvis Johnson, and representatives of the Harris County Flood Control District, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Elkins Family who donated the park property to the City of Houston in 1979. Photo Gallery...
New Skatepark
The Lee & Joe Jamail Skatepark offers 30,000 square feet of room for skaters to develop and hone their skating skills.
Don't forget to check out HPARD's other 6 above ground skateparks located throughout
the city.
P.U.S.H. will hold the 25th Annual Turkey Jam Skateboard Contest at the Lee & Joe Jamail Skatepark on Saturday, November 22nd. Registration and practice begin at 9:00 a.m. More details to follow.
2008 Fall Activities in the Park Download your copy of the 2008 Fall Activities in the Park Catalog today and get the latest information on sports, classes, and recreational activities taking place in a park or community center near you for all ages and abilities! (more)
Fall Operating Hours for HPARD Swimming Pools!
From August 16 to September 1
ALL Houston Parks and Recreation Department pools will be CLOSED on WEEKDAYS and select pools will be open during the weekends only from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The Memorial Park swimming pool will remain open for Lap Swimming during weekdays, Tuesday through Friday, and continue through mid-October (17th) or until the water temperature is below 76%, whichever occurs first.
Visit our aquatics page for a complete listing of pools that will be open during the weekends (more)
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department is always looking for qualified lifeguard applicants. Immediate openings are available for more information call (713) 670-5501 today! (more)
The 2008 schedule for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department's Adult Sports Section is now available.
There are some exciting activities on the schedule like sand volleyball and flag football ... (more)
Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
Houston Parks and Recreation Department provides access to year round activities for children and adults with disabilities at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray. The center features a gym, indoor heated swimming pool, weight room and access to a number of programs and services for people with disabitlities. (more)
The Friends of the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, a citizen’s advisory group that works with the staff to improve programming opportunities for the facility’s visitors, at the center on the second Tuesday of every month from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
Lake Houston Park
Lake Houston Park is an Urban Wilderness Park of 5,000 acres located 30 miles north of Houston near the town of New Caney. Lake Houston Park is the only park in the HPARD system where overnight camping is available. Cabins and walk-in campsites are available for rental. Activities include hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and horseback riding (Bring your own bikes, watercraft, and horses). The park is a wilderness park and is heavily forested so visitors need to be aware that wildlife in the park includes several species of snakes. (more)
HPARD has 
Great Golf, Great Cause
Hermann Park WEEKEND and HOLIDAY parking options have just been expanded, thanks to an agreement with Memorial Hermann Plaza, located at 6400 Fannin! (
