The Mason Park Bridge along Brays Bayou was completed in September 2018 as part of the Houston Parks Board's Bayou Greenways 2020 project. Photo courtesy of HPB/Anthony Rathbun.
The Kinder Foundation was inspired by the visionary project to create new parkland and trails to connect greenspaces along Houston’s bayous. The creation of parkland, trails and natural areas along major bayous – while enhancing protecting and preserving water quality, natural habitat, and native wildlife – enhances the overall health and welfare of the city and promotes park equity throughout Houston.
Given that Bayou Greenways 2020 will create greenspace in communities with few to no parks, the Kinder Foundation made conscious decisions on how the $50 million investment would be applied to the bayou segments that form the heart of the Bayou Greenways 2020 project. Once Bayou Greenways 2020 is complete, it is estimated that 6 out of 10 Houstonians will live within a mile and half of a bayou park or trail.
The seven-year Bayou Greenways 2020 project is funded through a public-private partnership, including the Kinder Foundation’s gift, $100 million of 2012-voter-approved bond money from the City of Houston, and an additional $120 million raised by the Houston Parks Board.
houstonparksboard.orgNews & Press
- 4 New Hike And Bike Trails Open In Houston As Part Of Bayou Greenways 2020 Project —Houston Public Media
- In Houston, a Resilient Public Greenspace Reconnects “the Bayou City” to the Neglected Waterway Where It Was Founded —Metropolis
- The Greening of Houston: Q&A with Park Visionary Guy Hagstette —Realty News Report
- How Greening Strategies Are Displacing Minorities in Post-Harvey Houston —The Nature of Cities
- Urban parks are changing the landscape and lifestyles of U.S. cities —Blog Post
- Neighborhoods are embracing the benefits of the bayou greenways and life along the bayou —Blog Post
- Buffalo Bayou Park and designing a resilient future for Houston —Curbed
- City to spend $450K for 1.5 acres of park land for southwest Houston —Houston Chronicle
- Gray Matters: Does Houston have enough parks to go around? —Houston Chronicle
- At interdisciplinary conference, Houston highlights its new relationship to the natural landscape —The Architect's Newspaper
- Google launches new views of Houston parks —Houston Chronicle
- Houston’s Wealth Drives A Culture Of Philanthropy —Forbes
- Houston Parks Board hires a nationally known president —Houston Chronicle
- Ups and Downs (green space) —Houston Chronicle
- Houston stakes a claim as the nation’s Emerald City —Houston Chronicle
- How Houston got beautiful. (At least in places.) —Houston Chronicle