50/50 Park Partners Begin Revitalizing Neighborhood Parks Across Houston

Published Jan 19, 2021 by Melissa Fox

50/50 Park Partners this week announced recent construction updates for the initiative as well as new corporate sponsors.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner created 50/50 Park Partners, bringing together a city-wide coalition to help revitalize the city’s neighborhood parks. The Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Parks Board and Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) are working together to draw local companies and community organizations into the important initiative.

Local Businesses Announce Their Support

The 50/50 Park Partners framework provides an opportunity for corporations to play a leadership role in supporting and reinvigorating under-resourced neighborhood parks in their local communities. Project funds will be invested based on priorities of need and distributed citywide across the identified neighborhood parks operated by HPARD.

Perry Homes recently announced their commitment to being the program’s Pacesetter with a gift of $1 million. “I want to thank all of our corporate sponsors for joining the 50/50 Park Partners initiative as we transform 50 neighborhood parks across Houston,” said Mayor Turner. “2020 reinforced the importance of parks in healthy, vibrant communities. I am proud to see our city come together to bring long-term improvements to our beloved neighborhood parks.”

Other 50/50 Park Partners include Chevron, Valero Energy Foundation, Community Health Choice, Crown Castle, and H-E-B. These Park Partners will each provide funding and in-kind volunteer services, which in turn will improve and steward community parks.

Hartman Park Construction Updates

Construction has officially started on Hartman Park, the first neighborhood park to receive improvements and long-term support as part of the 50/50 initiative. Updates to the park include the redevelopment of the playground area, including colorful playground units for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, with multiple swings and spinners and new playground resurfacing. The park improvements will also include new ramps and walkways, new benches, a new bike rack and the required detention and drainage.

50/50 Park Partners has also begun hosting community listening sessions on 11 neighborhood parks. As community engagement is a guiding principle of the initiative, these sessions are an opportunity for nearby neighborhoods to provide input on potential projects and work with Park Partners to prioritize funding. Feedback gathered during individual sessions will be used to inform the park improvement plan.

Learn more about the 50/50 Parks Partners here.

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