In 1999, The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) commissioned Planning Consultants and Landscape Architects Vernon G. Henry & Associates, Inc. to develop a parks master plan. Its purpose was to “guide the future growth, development, and re-development of the City’s parks and recreation system.” The 2001 Parks and Recreation Master Plan was completed and adopted by Council Motion 2001-1088 on October 3, 2001.

Since its adoption the Parks Master Plan has served as a guide for the Parks and Recreation Department. Over the years, acquisitions like Alabanson Park, Willow Waterhole and Lake Houston Park have increased HPARD’s park sites and acreage. Today, the HPARD system is comprised of 38,945 acres of parkland, with 350 parks and greenspaces and over 101 miles of trails and pathways providing park patrons with a variety of recreational opportunities.

With these improvements in mind, HPARD is embarking on the process of updating the Parks Master Plan to reflect the City’s current park system. Its purpose is to provide a written document to serve as a guide in the future development of parkland. This guide will serve to preserve and enhance the quality of life of Houston’s citizens, and to guide the department in the performance of its other duties in a manner that achieves the principles of smart growth, sound planning, and stewardship. The new plan will be brought before Council for their consideration in 2008. The proposed plan was shown as a Power Point presentation at a series of public meetings in October 2007.

If you have comments regarding the proposed Master Plan, you can send us your comments via email at parksmasterplan@cityofhouston.net