Hermann Park in Houston

Hermann Park is one of Houston's most historically significant parks. The park officially opened in 1914 and was named after George H. Hermann. It was named after Hermann because he donated the land he owned to the City of Houston to be used for the park. Over the years, the park has expanded becoming one of the city's most important outdoor recreational facility. The park is located on more than 445 acres and is owned by the City of Houston. There are several prominent places located in Hermann Park including Miller Outdoor Theatre, Museum of Natural Science, and Houston Zoo. The park also owes its historical significance of being home of the first desegregated public golf course in the United States.

There are several things that visitors can see in Herman Park including: McGovern Lake, Houston Garden Center, Hermann Park Japanese Garden, Bayou Parkland, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and the Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center. The three most prominent places are the McGovern Lake which is more than eight acres of tranquil waters. Bird watchers, catch-and-release fishers, and migratory birds all give a natural appeal to the lake area. Two garden centers - The Hermann Park Japanese Garden Center and Houston Garden Center - offers serenity and harmony with reflective pools and over 2,500 rose bushes available in a variety of colors. One of the most popular destinations in Hermann Park is the Miller Outdoor Theatre. The theatre is famous for grassy green hills, annual festivals and concerts. A variety of arts and music consistently permeate the air at the theatre. The famous Bayou Parkland is also an integral part of Hermann Park. Bayou Parkland has multiple programs geared to teaching conservation which adds an educational aspect to the park.

In the 1980's, the park began to lose its value and the infrastructure started to suffer a state of disrepair. During that time, Hermann Park was not getting sufficient revenue from the public and very few people actually attended the park. Because of the disrepair that the park was suffering, a group of people called the Friends at Hermann Park was formed to encourage development, restoration, and proper use of the green space. The Friends at Hermann Park provide a continual blueprint for all enhancements and renovations that are made at the park. Some of the ongoing projects include the planting of new trees, installation of new benches and fixtures, and creation of stewardship programs to keep the area beautiful.

Herman Park is a world-class park that is considered one of the best urban parks in Houston. It is a local gathering place of locals and tourists that can find a large range of activities from Japanese Gardens to free outdoor concerts. The area has some of the most beautiful scenery in Houston and is a lasting legacy in the city. Over the years, Herman Park has contributed to that legacy by receiving numerous awards and recognition for its efforts in conservation. Some of the awards that the park has received include the Keep Houston Beautiful award, General Award of Excellence in Landscaping and the Leadership in Environmental Education award.