The Houston Parks and Recreation Department was created by City Ordinance on March 15, 1916. The Department of Public Parks, as it was called at that time, consisted of two parks - Sam Houston Park and Hermann Park. Taken together, they totaled about 465 acres of land.
Today, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.) stewards and manages over 37,832 acres of parkland and greenspace for the City of Houston; develops and implements recreational programming for citizens of all abilities; maintains greenspace for the Houston Public Library and the Houston Health Department and manages all H.P.A.R.D. facilities.
The Department works daily to fulfill its mission:
“To enhance the quality of urban life by providing safe
well-maintained parks and offering affordable
programming for our community.”
More ...
People Protecting Our Parks
People Protecting Our Parks is a campaign to pro-actively protect the City’s parkland in the midst of continuing drought conditions. Its two main goals are: fire prevention education and the protection of public parkland.
»» Re-Plant Houston Arbor Day - Jan 21, 2012
Nearly 2,000 volunteers planted 25,000 trees in 4 parks. Thank you to all the volunteers for your support. More...
You can continue to support our non-profit partners in their efforts to help us Re-Plant Houston! Visit their websites for how you can help the effort (Photo Gallery)
»» Tree Removal in Memorial Park
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department is overseeing the removal of dead trees from Memorial Park. As the work progresses, sections of the park will be temporarily closed to park visitors to enable the crews to remove trees killed by drought. Currently, portions of the Seymour Lieberman Trail are closed to park visitors from 8:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. More ...
»» Tree Watering Tips
As drought conditions continue in Houston the Texas Forest Service, Texas Urban Forestry Council and the Texas Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture have some Tree Watering Tips to help your trees survive the drought. (Tree Watering Tips pdf file or watch Youtube video)
»» Rake & Remove Program
The Rake & Remove Program seeks volunteers armed with their garden rakes and gloves to remove dead grass and pine needles from beneath trees in their local parks. This program helps to reduce the threat of wildfires by removing dead grass, vegetation and pine needles which can fuel fire. To volunteer contact Oneika McCarthy at oneika.mccarthy@houstontx.gov. More ...
Golf
Awesome Courses! Affordable Prices!
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department provides 7 challenging public golf courses for citizens' enjoyment. From Memorial Park, one of the highest rated municipal courses in the state, to the well maintained and lower priced Brock and Gus Wortham Parks, H.P.A.R.D.’s municipal golf courses offer a diverse range of venues from which to choose.
Memorial, Hermann, and Gus Wortham Park Golf Courses are inside the loop. Sharpstown, Melrose, Brock and Glenbrook are outside the loop. All courses, except for Glenbrook have driving ranges. More ...
In addition, H.P.A.R.D.’s First Tee of Houston at FM Law Park offers youth, ages 7-18, an opportunity to learn the game of golf.
H.P.A.R.D. Latest News
»» H.P.A.R.D. Receives H.G.A.C. Awards Recognition
Five Houston Parks and Recreation Department Partnership projects have garnered recognition in the Houston-Galveston Area Council Parks and Natural Area H.G.A.C. Awards. (more)
»» Bayou City Classic
Join us for the Bayou City Classic 5K & 10K Fun Run, 7:50 a.m., Saturday, March 10! Register online until March 6. Proceeds go to the Houston Area Road Runner’s Association’s Houston Parks Improvement Fund to help maintain and develop trails for running and walking in our city’s parks.
»» Buffalo Bayou Regatta
Register now for the largest canoe and kayak race in Texas! The Buffalo Bayou Regatta begins at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, March 10, at San Felipe at Voss with finish line festivities at Sesquicentennial Park! Even if you aren’t a paddler, join in the fun for live music and good times! Register online
»» Tour de Houston
Sunday, March 18, is the date to remember for bicycle fun in Houston! The Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation raises funds for the reforestation of Houston’s parks through the Houston Parks Board and is recommended as a preparatory ride for the BP MS 150. (Photo Gallery)
»» Recreation Catalog Available Now
H.P.A.R.D.’s Winter-Spring Activities Guide and Class Catalog is available online now! Printed copies will be available at community centers across the city soon! Check out the listings for recreation, fitness, and educational opportunities you can take part in!
»» H.P.A.R.D. Managers Recognized for Excellence
On November 18, 2011, two H.P.A.R.D. managers were recognized by the Texas Recreation and Parks Society (T.R.A.P.S.) Region IV for their many years of excellent service to the citizens of Houston. Kay Joshua, Division Manager, Recreation Programs, was named Recreation Professional of the Year, and Tony Wise, Southeast Division Manager, Sports Field Management Division, was named Park Professional of the Year. Congratulations to these two fine employees!
»» William Coats Bridge Goes Up in Hermann Park
A beautiful new pedestrian bridge will soon span Brays Bayou in Hermann Park! The arch supports for the William Coats Bridge are being erected, with the rest of the construction process to follow soon. Groundbreaking took place on November 10, 2010, and when completed in early 2012, the bridge will connect the hike and bike trails in the park’s Bayou Parklands section with the main expanse of Hermann Park. Photo Gallery
»» Stude Park Community Center Closed For Repairs
The Stude Park Community Center will be closed beginning July 6, 2011 until further notice due to a potential structural issue with the roof system. The issue is being evaluated by an engineering consultant to determine the extent of the problem and solutions needed.
Free Play Basketball, scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m; Friday from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. is referred to Love Park Community Center 1000 West 12th, 77008 and/or Woodland Park Community Center 212 Parkview, 77009.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Some H.P.A.R.D. Facilities may be under repair or construction. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are working to reopen the facilities as soon as possible.
Routine Maintenance Short-Term Closures
»» Freed Park Gym Building - Routine Maintenance - Sept 1, 2011 - Until Further Notice
The Freed Park Gym Building, and only the gym building, has been found to have structural safety concerns. Due to these concerns it will be closed effective September 1, 2011 until further notice. We will update the status as more information becomes available. The adjacent activity building, which is not affected, will remain open.
Capital Improvement Projects
»» Keith-Wiess Park - Capital Improvement Projects - January 30 – May, 2012
Work at Keith-Wiess Park will begin January 30, 2012. Scope of work includes: site clearing and utilities, installing a modular office building, parking lot, parking lot lighting, a water well and septic system. Substantial completion is expected in May 2012 barring any unforeseen circumstances.
»» Glenbrook Pool - Capital Improvement Projects - June 20 - Until Further Notice
A Notice to Proceed for the demolition of the old Glenbrook Park pool and construction of a new pool in its place was issued for June 20, 2011. The scope of work includes trail work, parking lot striping and overlay, picnic tables and benches, a parking lot slide gate, asphalt trail connection. The contractor will be using a portion of the existing parking lot for staging, and most of it will still be open to the public. Citizens will still be able to access the trail to the west of the parking lot, and the east trail connection will be closed.
Repair Projects
»» Memorial Park Fitness Center – Repair Projects – February 6 – February 15, 2012
The Memorial Park Fitness Center restroom/shower facilities will be closed for cleaning and replacement of tile grout beginning February 6, 2012. Work is expected to be finished by February 15, 2012. The weight room and shower facilities at the Fonde Recreation Center, 110 Sabine Street (KM 493K) will be open as an alternate site.
»» Chimney Rock Park - Repair Projects – December 12, 2011 - Until Further Notice
The Chimney Rock Park basketball court will be closed beginning December 12, 2011 until further notice to allow for repairs to the court expansion joints. Thank you for your patience.
»» Stude Community Center - Repair Projects - July 6, 2011 - Until Further Notice
The Stude Park Community Center will be closed beginning July 6, 2011 until further notice due to a potential structural issue with the roof system. The issue is being evaluated by an engineering consultant to determine the extent of the problem and solutions needed.
»» Edgewod Park Gym - Repair Projects - June 10, 2011 - Until Further Notice
The Edgewood Park Gym and Community Center have been reviewed by a structural engineer. The Edgewood Gym Bldg, and only the gym, has been found to have structural safety concerns. Due to these concerns the Edgewood Gym Bldg will be closed until further notice. We are working with the General Services Department and consultants to develop a plan to resolve issues with the gym. We will update the status as information becomes available. The adjacent activity building, which is not affected, will remain open.
Thank you for your patience.
Contact 9-1-1 to:
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Report wildfires in parks (Note park name and location) |
Contact 3-1-1 to:
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1) Report an esplanade irrigation system operating between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Note location and time system was operating) |
Joe Turner, Director Houston Parks and Recreation Department is a native Houstonian. He attended the University of Houston graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He also holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Texas Woman's University. More ...
The H.P.A.R.D. Calendar of Events lists activities in parks across the city. Click on a day to see what is happening in a park near you!
Houston Parks and Recreation Department
2999 South Wayside
Houston, Texas 77023
(832) 395-7000
askparks@houstontx.gov
Permits & Reservations
COH Permitting Office
1002 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 394-8804 (Ballfield Reservations)
(832) 394-8805 (Park Permits)
Adult Sports Online Registration: More ...
HPARD Division Phone Numbers More ...
TPIA Requests: hpardrecords@houstontx.gov
HPARD Media Room/Press Releases: More ...
Media Contact:
Estella Espinosa
Work: (832) 395-7022
Cell: (832) 465-4782
estella.espinosa@houstontx.gov
» Discovery Green
» Market Square
» Miller Outdoor Theatre
» Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
» Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
» Houston Museum of Natural Science
» Houston Zoo
» Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
» Hermann Park Conservancy
» Houston Parks Board
» Million Trees + Houston
» Memorial Park Conservancy
» Neighbor Woods
» Park Adoption Programs
» Partner With Parks
» Urban Forestry
» Volunteer Opportunities
Garden Line
The new issue of Garden Line by Brent Moon is now available. More ...
Citizens can use the Houston Police Department’s new Crime Monitoring website to track crime trends in neighborhoods all over town. More ...
