A public-private partnership called Let's Play Houston will distribute $60 million worth of park upgrades across all 11 Houston City Council districts. Two to three parks per district were selected for improvements through the citywide program.
Why it matters
The program is led by Mayor John Whitmire's administration, the Houston Parks Board, and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, along with corporate and foundation support.
Once improvements are complete, Let's Play Houston will represent the largest investment in neighborhood parks in the city's history, according to a March 31 news release.
“Neighborhood parks offer a place where people can disconnect from daily stress, connect with nature and strengthen belonging within their community,” said Justin Schultz, president and CEO of the Houston Parks Board. “Houston Parks Board is proud to partner with Mayor Whitmire and the City of Houston to invest in public spaces that unite people of all backgrounds.”
What you need to know
A total of 25 parks will be revitalized through the program, a process that will advance in phases. As of late March, 11 parks are currently in the design phase, with the other 14 conducting initial community engagement to help develop the scopes of work for the park renovations.
The parks in the program were selected through an analysis that examined more than 180 neighborhood parks and identified those with the greatest need for upgrades and investment, per the release.
Project officials said more than 40 engagement events were conducted during the initial phase of the process to ensure park improvements "reflect the needs and wants of the neighborhood."
Parks include:
- District A: Haden Park and Schwartz Park
- District B: Trinity Gardens Park and Lakewood Park
- District C: Lawrence Park and American Legion Park
- District D: Bricker Park, Zollie Scales Park and George T. Nelson Park
- District E: Greenwood Park, J.P. White Park and Dylan Duncan Memorial Skate Park
- District F: 6640 Wilcrest Greenspace and Kirkwood Park
- District G: Pumpkin Park and Francklow Park
- District H: Montie Beach Park, Clark Park and Warren Park
- District I: Andover Park and Brookline Park
- District J: E. L. Crain Park and Bonham Park
- District K: Haviland Park and Beulah Maxie Park
