Houston has 350 developed parks in the Parks and Recreation Department, and over 200 open spaces that we maintain. Whatever the weather, whatever the time of year, there's always something fun going on outdoors. Families, clubs, groups of friends all meet in the park to see what nature will bring them for entertainment.
Bird migrations pass through Houston in the spring and fall, and bird watchers on our many wooded trails and in fields all over town are rewarded with the sight of feathered travelers. Waterfowl of all descriptions are always on view at Hermann Park’s McGovern Lake, and at the Houston Zoo’s Duck Lake.
One of nature’s more unusual spectacles is visible from the Waugh Bridge Bat Observation Deck at Buffalo Bayou/Eleanor Tinsley Park. Every night at dusk, thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats take off from their home beneath the bridge to hunt for mosquitoes. Folks congregate every night at the corner of Waugh Drive and Allen Parkway to witness this natural wonder. Visit our multi-media bat page for a preview.
The Parks and Recreation Department runs 56 community centers located throughout the city for the benefit of Houstonians of all ages and interests. Check out our Activities in the Parks Catalog for information on sports leagues and classes you can participate in.
World-class golf, swimming, Frisbee tossing, mountain biking, jogging to your heart’s content, it’s all available in Houston parks!
Take a tour of some our interesting greenspace in the Parks Department inventory.
Baldwin Park - 1701 Elgin (between Crawford and Chenevert)
