Houston Parks and Recreation Department

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About

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department stewards and manages over 37,832 acres of parkland and greenspace for the City of Houston.

Story

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.) was created by City Ordinance on March 15, 1916. The Department of Public Parks, as it was called at that time, consisted of two parks - Sam Houston Park and Hermann Park. Taken together, they totaled about 465 acres of land.
Today, the H.P.A.R.D. stewards and manages over 37,832 acres of parkland and greenspace for the City of Houston; develops and implements recreational programming for citizens of all abilities; maintains greenspace for the Houston Public Library and the Houston Health Department; and manages all H.P.A.R.D. facilities.
The Department's mission is:"To enhance the quality of urban life by providing safe
well-maintained parks and offering affordable programming for our community.”

Mission

To enhance the quality of urban life by providing safe well-maintained parks & offering affordable programming for our community.

Address: 2999 S Wayside Dr, Houston, TX 77023, USA

Phone: (832) 395-7000

Website

vog.xtnotsuoh@skrapksa

State: Texas

Zip Code: 77023

Update Info

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Reviews

The problem with the parks and recreation is that the upper management  do not perform their job as they were hired to do .The working staff of these building work very hard without upper  management's full support . 1 building has not had AC in these past hot days of 90 plus degrees (6-12-2016 to 6-16-2016) ,I spoke with a lady that started explaining to me about what the AC repair men told her, she stated they needed '' a special part and some other THINGS'' . I informed her that I in fact understand AC systems and this particular building should have been fixed days ago . I'm more than sure the building she is in has working AC .The 1 star is a representation of the upper managements efforts in supporting the building staff that do try hard without the  proper resources and a decent working environment .I hope a higher staff member sees this and take action.

 9 years ago (16-06-2016)

My family had the brilliant idea to celebrate Father's Day in the park with family and friends. The fact that an online reservation system existed was a pleasant surprise. It took us 20 minutes to register and reserve Hermann Park Fannin Pavilion. I'm thrilled that the City of Houston has an online reservation and payment system. We decided to visit the pavilion several days in advance to see the layout and proximity to restrooms. What a disgrace. This is the most unkempt, smelly, health hazard that I have ever witnessed in the United States. The entire pavilion and surrounding area has a strong smell of urine. What we observed were at least 80 people with all of their belongings congregating in the pavilions. It was clear that they were ready to sleep on top of the tables, benches and on the floors. Since the Parks Department locks the restrooms in the evening, the pavilion floors and the open areas of the park become one enormous bathroom. I notified the Park Reservation employees about the smell and the obvious health hazard that exposed human waste presents. They informed me there was nothing they could do except come and clean the pavilion on Sunday morning before my family's picnic. I accepted that as the solution, we didn't have anything else reserved and needed covered picnic tables with restrooms for 25 adults and 20 kids. Fast forward to early Sunday morning and the pavilion was still urine-soaked and people were still asleep on the tables. I began my many calls that Sunday to the Parks Department. I will not name all of the incompetent employees that I encountered, but rather I will thank and name the employees that are rock stars. First, Andrea in Park Ranger Dispatch made sure that she notified the maintenance crew that the pavilion was not clean. She also immediately sent a Park Ranger to the pavilion when several people began aggressively approaching the children and asking for food. Next, Sharon Rodriguez in Maintenance cleaned the pavilion so that in a few spots it actually smelled good. That was not a small feat. Both Andrea and Sharon are exemplary employees. Father's Day turned out to be a wonderful day with family and friends. Considering the city charges $80 to rent the pavilion, I believe my expectation that it be free of urine and strangers harassing us is reasonable. My request to the leaders in Parks & Recreation, please come up with a solution to provide parks that do not smell like human waste so that everyone can enjoy our public parks.   

 11 years ago (16-06-2014)

Trying to get a clear policy on flying U.A.V. in Houston Parks. There seems to be no regulations in writing. I was told that the director does not want them and thats all I need to know. Time will tell if that statement stands the test.

 9 years ago (06-04-2016)

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department is breaking the law against Disabled Golfers.  A request for a law suit against the department and the head of the department has be filed.  If you are a disabled golfer and have felt this discrimination then you too should contact the A.C.L.U. of Texas and make a request in writing that this suit be upheld in Federal Court.  The Act of 2010 specifies that discrimination against disabled golfers is against the law and is punishable.  Golf courses can not deny special access around the greens and other parts of the course or force disabled golfers to conform to rules set down for "Normal Golfers".  Thank you and hopefully all disabled golfers one day will be able to enjoy the game without this discrimination.  As of 3:45 the 24th of October, Mr Jason Harsh with the Parks and Rec's department for the City of Houston called and assured me that there was a terrible misunderstanding in force. That the Parks department does not discriminated against disabled golfers in anyway, but rather go out of their way to make sure that the disabled golfer enjoys his round and is given the necessary access that he may need.  I want to thank Mr Harsh for his effort to clear up this misunderstanding.  If more gentlemen like Mr. Harsh where in charge of all the Texas golf courses, then everyone would be happier and play more golf.  I personally thank Mr Jason Harsh for his phone call and will make every effort to encourage all disabled golfers to play the great courses that are in the City of Houston.  Thanks Jason...................

Rik Hansen
Caldwell, Texas

 12 years ago (24-10-2013)

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