What most Houstonians forget as they ride along the vast expanse of pavement, is that there are an abundance of green spaces in the ways of parks and trails all over the inner loop.  Just outside of Downtown, which some call "Neartown," is an oasis packed full of interesting activities for all to enjoy, just another example of how Houston has it all, everywhere!

Allen Parkway: A never-ending stretch of Green!

With the Downtown Skyline as a backdrop, Houstonians easily flock to Allen Parkway as an oasis from the hustle and bustle of inner loop living, playing host to a multitude of parks, nature and art for all walks of life.

 

Buffalo Bayou Park

18-3600 Allen Parkway 

This premier greenbelt spans 124 acres, and winds from Shepherd Drive on the west to Bagby Street on the East End. It houses Eleanor Tinsley Park, and is the site of major Houston festivals and events, including the city’s Fourth of July Fireworks.  For more activities including the Dragon Boat Festival, Canoe Tours, and Bayou Bash 2010, visit their website at www.BuffaloBayou.org

Special Features to enjoy along the way:

Jim Mozola Memorial Disc Golf Course

Boat Launch (Eleanor Tinsley)

Children’s Playground

Buffalo Bayou Artpark (temporary public art work is displayed each spring) click here for more information.

Henry Moore Sculpture (south bank east of Taft Street)

Wortham Fountain

Police Memorial (off Memorial Drive)

Fonde Recreation Center (110 Sabine)

Amenities: Benches, Drinking Fountains, Exercise/Biking/Jogging Trails.

 

Spotts Park/Waugh Bat Bridge

Located between Allen Parkway, Memorial, Studemont and Waugh, this 16 acre park boasts an abundance of green space, trees and trails for all to enjoy.  Spotts Park has the winding sidewalks and leafy trees a good dog walk requires. But the real treat is the freedom to play some good, old-fashioned fetch. Beyond the sidewalks and picnic tables is an expanse of green that's rarely populated, so there’s more than enough room to throw the ball or stick; a key reason why it was named “Best Place To Walk Your Dog” by the Houston Press last year. Aside from all the trails and expansive green space for pets and people to stretch out, there is also a covered basketball court, a volleyball court and a playground for the kids!

The park’s fun doesn’t end at sundown, so keep your car parked in Spotts Park’s free parking lot.  Over 250,000 of Houston’s best-kept secrets have been quietly residing within the crevices of Waugh Drive Bridge for a number of years.  “The Waugh Bridge Bat Colony” consists of Mexican free-tailed bats that emerge nightly to stretch their wings and feed on area insects. In 2006 a bat observation deck was installed for your convenience. It’s quite a site for you and the rest of the family!  Visit their website for more information, including bat-watching etiquette.

 

Lee & Joe Jamail Skatepark

The Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark, designed by the premiere skatepark firm Grindline, is the first world-class, in-ground skatepark in our region. This state-of-the-art, public 30,000 square-foot in-ground facility opened in June of 2008 vaulting Houston into the forefront of American venues for this fast-growing, dynamic sport. The park has areas for skaters of all levels, from the seasoned pro to the beginner. Skaters can work on their kick flip, ollie, fakie big spin...or simply learn to stay balanced!
Don't miss the displays of urban art located along Skater Alley, the winding walkway between Sabine Street and the skatepark entrance. The Houston Parks Board teamed up with the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art to coordinate the display of five large panels showcasing urban art created by local aerosol artists. 
The Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark sits in the shadow of downtown Houston off of the Sabine Street Bridge in Eleanor Tinsley Park.  Admission is FREE and helmets are required.

Memorial Park - A National Treasure

Memorial Park is one of America’s largest urban park expanses, and is a well-loved getaway for Houstonians.  Located west of downtown, the park offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.  Often referred to as one of the crown jewels in the Parks Department’s inventory, Memorial Park is rich in history as well as greenspace.

 

Much of the Park is located on the grounds of a World War I military facility known as Camp Logan.  The camp served as home and training facility to thousands of soldiers from 1917 to 1919.  In 1925, the City of Houston purchased the land, and would eventually become what is today Memorial Park; now a “memorial” to the soldiers who lost their lives serving in WWI. 

 

Memorial Park is located at 6501 Memorial Drive, near the I-10 & I-610 West Loop intersection.  Facilities for jogging, tennis, hiking, biking, picnicking, and wildlife- and people-watching are all readily available, and one of the city’s premiere golf courses is in Memorial Park.

 

If you dream of living in the loop, making that dream a reality has never been better.  There is great inventory available in the Houston, Texas Real Estate market!  But time is running out for home buyers to take advantage of the government tax credit, and it's not just for first-time buyers.  The credit has been expanded and extended until April 30th.  If you have any questions about real estate or the process of buying or selling real estate, please do not hesitate to contact us, we'll be happy to help!

 

Not ready to buy?  No problem, we have helped many people find high value rental properties as well - we are a full service real estate company!