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 ...

 

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. 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

 

 

 

 

 

»» Japanese Expertise for the Japanese Garden
On February 9, Houston Parks and Recreation Department Director Joe Turner thanked gardeners and landscape artists Aya Nakamura Hashimoto, Hiroshi Iwasaki, and Taiki Iwasaki for their annual trips to Houston to lend their expertise to the care of Hermann Park’s Japanese Garden. Hermann Park Conservancy Board Member Kunio Minami acted as their translator.

 

»» Trail Riders in Memorial Park
As part of a long-standing Houston tradition, trail riders coming to town to take part in Saturday’s Rodeo Parade will camp this Friday in Memorial Park’s South Picnic Loop. The park will be back to normal for everyone’s use by Saturday afternoon.

 

 

 

 

»» 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.