Published Mar 03, 2023 by Brina Morales
Houston’s iconic urban park that transformed the heart of Houston received a special gift ensuring the green space is sustained for generations to come.
The Kinder Foundation donated $2 million dollars to the Discovery Green Conservancy to establish an endowment for the 12-acre park. The conservancy, which operates and funds the park, called the donation “an important first step toward insuring the park’s long-term viability.”
“It is very fulfilling to have watched Discovery Green thrive, and to see the neighborhood around the park evolve,” Kinder Foundation Chair Rich Kinder said in a statement.
Before Discovery Green was imagined in 2008, the site was home to two, underused surface parking lots. It has served as a catalyst for change across the Houston region by reimagining public park spaces and creating more than $1.8 billion in development within a two-block radius. The park also reimagined the types of developments leading to the creation of 20-minute neighborhoods, creating walkability and a more sustainable future.
Today, millions of visitors from near and far travel to Discovery Green to enjoy the green oasis, public art installations, events, restaurants and more. The George R. Brown Convention Center, the Hilton Americas, the Marriot Marquis and the Avenida Houston entertainment district help bolster the area’s success.
The access to green spaces within Houston’s urban core has increased over the years, proving leaders, developers and the community see how critical they are to our personal health and the health of our economy.
Learn more about the region's parks and outdoors.