HISD has plans to open 31 uniquely themed playgrounds and 10 outdoor fitness courses by early 2027, district officials said.
Meanwhile, Precinct 3 officials are implementing several projects in the 2023 Parks and Trails Master Plan, which includes upgrades to two existing local parks and the creation of a completely new park.
“It’s well known that spending time outdoors improves people’s quality of life, and we’re here to support this,” said Eric Heppen, director of engineering for Precinct 3.
The big picture
Since late 2022, HISD has opened 14 new playgrounds at elementary campuses, with 17 more planned to open by early 2027. Additionally, the district has opened four outdoor fitness courses at secondary campuses, with six more planned to open by early 2027.
Of those that have opened, each of the elementary playgrounds cost between $1.5 million-$2 million, and each of the middle school outdoor fitness courses cost between $520,000-$686,000, per district information.
HISD officials said the playgrounds and fitness courses are coming as part of the district’s $775 million bond package approved by voters in May 2022.
To date, the district has spent roughly $26 million on the completed elementary and middle school projects. Officials said they’re planning to spend roughly $18 million on the remaining projects.
Christy Erb, assistant superintendent of elementary schools for HISD, said the playgrounds and fitness equipment hold a broader value for the community.
“Open to the public when school is not in session, they serve as gathering places for families and neighbors, encouraging social interaction and strengthening community ties,” Erb said. “These welcoming spaces promote family engagement, active lifestyles and shared experiences.”
Meanwhile in Precinct 3, the long-awaited Edgewater Park project is under design, and the first phase is expected to go out for bids in 2025, Heppen said in late December. The new park is expected to cost between $5 million-$7 million and will feature nature trails, a boat launch and fishing areas.
Additionally, Heppen said Precinct 3 expects repaving and expanding on one of the parking lots at the Lindsay/Lyons Park and Sports Complex to begin soon. However, he noted time frames for other projects included in the master plan for this park—which total more than $12 million—have not yet been set as the master plan is a 30-year planning tool.
These projects include replacing site equipment including benches, bleachers, play equipment and broken sidewalks; adding tree canopy, nature trails, a paved trail, recreational fields and basketball courts; and increasing parking.
Lastly, Precinct 3 is removing invasive plant species at Atscocita Park and replacing them with native species and new trees—a roughly $250,000 project. Heppen said this is an ongoing project that will be completed as funds allow.
Each of the Precinct 3 projects are funded by a combination of Texas Parks and Wildlife, park bonds and general funds, Heppen said.
What experts say
Harris County Public Health’s Community Health Improvement Plan for 2024-29 found that 58% of survey respondents listed parks, green spaces, bike paths, walking and hiking paths, and dog-friendly parks as a “high neighborhood need.” The report also found that half of the residents in Harris County do not live within half a mile of a park.
“The data shows that limited access to green spaces hinders physical activity and community engagement,” the report reads.
According to the Trust for Public Land, 61% of city of Houston residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, which is below the average of the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. at 74%. The TPL launched the 10-Minute Walk program in 2017, which works to improve access to parks and green spaces, according to its website.
“[Parks] are essential building blocks of our cities, but for too long they have been considered nice-to-haves," said Bianca Clarke, director of TPL's 10-Minute Walk program. "Public parks and green spaces are community essentials. Parks offer nearby residents a place to play, connect and reap the benefits of the outdoors.”
According to the TPL, the city of Houston spends $32 per resident on parks each year, while other Texas cities such as Austin, San Antonio and Dallas spend upwards of $120 per resident.
An October 2023 report by the Kinder Institute showed two-thirds of Houston residents supported the city spending upwards of $100 per resident on parks annually.
The impact
Additionally, local parks and recreation agencies in Texas generated $12 billion in economic activity in 2022, according to the National Recreation and Parks Association. Across the Houston metro, jobs in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector are also set to increase by 1,800 by December, according to the Greater Houston Partnership.
“Just this year [in 2024], we’ve received over 2,500 reservations for our park facilities and have hosted approximately 1,200 recreational events through our park programs,” Heppen said. “By committing to our parks, we provide Harris County residents a place to visit, relax and explore their surroundings.”
Carson Weaver contributed to this report.
