September 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 57

year in 2016, the department has several initiatives in the works that will
enhance its most historically significant green spaces. The most prominent is the renovation of Emancipation Park - the oldest park in the city
- in partnership with the Houston
Endowment, the Kinder Foundation,
the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Houston Parks Board, the
Old Spanish Trail/Almeda Corridors
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone
(TIRZ #7) and Friends of Emancipation Park. The 10-acre parcel of land
was originally purchased by four former slaves in 1872 for use as a private
park and was donated to the city in
1916. It is thought that the first Juneteenth celebration in history may
have taken place there to commemorate the announcement in Texas of
the U.S. abolition of slavery.
Officially kicking off on Oct. 26,
2013, the $33.6 million plans include
a new recreation center and renovated
community center (both are intended
for LEED certification), the renovation of a historic pool house, a new
swimming pool, new sports fields and
facilities, a walking path, an urban
playground, a sprayground and rocking chairs. Renovations are set to be
overseen by renowned African-American architect Philip Freelon.
" We're claiming our heritage, "
Turner states. " And not only with
regard to the history of the park and
what it means, but for an underserved area that will receive an amazing park facility. "
Turner also points out the city's
plans to break ground on the eightacre McGovern Centennial Gardens
project, a $30 million initiative happening in partnership with the Hermann Park Conservancy. The new

Lake Houston Wilderness Park

A new cabin at Lake Houston
Wilderness Park

gardens will replace the Houston
Garden Center at Hermann Park,
home to signature amenities such
as the Miller Outdoor Theatre, the
Houston Zoo and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The gardens will commemorate the iconic
park's 100th birthday. The conservancy raised $28.5 million of the total funds needed for the project, and
$7 million have been earmarked as a
maintenance endowment.
When speaking with Turner, one
begins to sense the true magnitude
of greening America's fourth-largest
city. He mentions many other ma-

jor projects, including an upgrade of
Memorial Park, one of the nation's
largest urban parks, and the extensive transformation of Shady Lane
Park, in which a new nature-themed
playground will be installed via the
NRPA Parks Build Community initiative (see www.parksandrecreation.
org/2013/June/Breaking-Ground).
The key, says Turner, is to be open
to anything - as long as it works.
" There's no set pattern...the deal is
the deal, " Turner says. " But the deal
has to be good for the department,
the TIRZ and our citizens. "
He continues, " We are very protective of our parks...but we don't always
need to be the operator. We look to
work with [people and organizations]
who will help make major improvements....Our families, our corporations and our foundations are what
have made our park system. "

FACT:
The Houston Parks Board estimates that
once Bayou Greenway development efforts are complete along seven major
stretches of bayous that run within the
city limits, approximately $70.3 million
per year of quantified economic, environmental and public health benefits
will be generated.

Amy Kapp is a freelance writer in northern
Virginia (kapp44017@gmail.com).

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September 2013 - Parks & Recreation

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