The money will accelerate several projects in the park, including a central connector that will be built over Memorial Drive and connect the two sides of the park. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said it’s the largest gift to a Houston park in the city’s history.
"The gift will also go toward a park expansion project known as the eastern glades, that will include new picnic space, a scenic five-acre lake, and wetlands,” said Turner. “With the City Council's approval, this historic gift will enhance a park that draws users from all over Houston, boosts the city's entire park system and help make Houston more flood-resilient.”
Park planners say hundreds of acres of land that are currently inaccessible will be transformed, and urban barriers that segregate parts of the park will be replaced with bridges and access points.
The grant is part of a $125 million Memorial Park Master Plan. Priority projects will be completed within the next ten years.
