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| Discovery Green | |
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| Type | Municipal (Houston, Texas) |
|---|---|
| Location | Downtown Houston |
| Size | 11.78 acres |
| Opened | 2008 |
| Operated by | Discovery Park Conservatory |
| Status | Open |
Discovery Green is a public park in downtown Houston, Texas. Opened in 2008, Discovery Green’s 11.78-acre (47,700 m2) site is located on Avenida de las Americas across from the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas Hotel, adjacent to Toyota Center. The park includes a lake, bandstands and venues for public performances, a children's area and multiple recreational areas. [1]
It is estimated that almost a quarter-million people visited the park between opening day and June 30, 2008. The estimates were made by comparing the size of crowds with the Houston Police Department's estimate of 30,000 people who went to the park on opening day. [2]
Recreational features of the park include:
- Jones Lawn - a two-acre grass lawn for lounging, offering views of the skyline
- The Brown Foundation Promenade - a shaded walkway, lined with 100-year-old live oak trees
- Wortham Foundation Gardens - an acre of flowering trees, plants, fountains and works of art
- Kinder Lake - a one-acre lake lined with native wetland plants
- The Natural Gardens - wetland and upland gardens extending the length of the park
- The Landforms - several sculpted knolls and grassy swells that highlight views of downtown Houston
- McNair Foundation Jogging Trail - tree-shaded promenades on which to stroll to the lake and children’s area
- Maconda's Grove - where you can play bocce on the Carruth Foundation Bocce Courts
- The John P. McGovern Playground
- Hagstette Putting Green
- Two Dog Runs - one for large dogs and another for smaller dogs with seating areas for their owners
- Approximately 630-car underground parking garage.
The Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group, best known as the creators of Cafe Annie, operates two restaurants on site. The Grove will serve lunch and dinner in a "signature restaurant" setting, while The Lake House will offer family-friendly casual fare. [3] The group is known for Cafe Annie, a local Houston restaurant.
 Jones Lawn |
 The Brown Foundation Promenade |
 Wortham Foundation Gardens |
 Kinder Lake |
 The Lake House Waterside Cafe |
 Carruth Foundation Bocce Courts in Maconda's Grove |
 Gateway Fountain |
 Kinder Large Dog Run Photos by Paul Duron |
Contents |
Public Art
"Monument au Fantóme" : A piece of artwork by Jean Dubuffet donated by Dan Duncan was moved from 1100 Louisiana in downtown Houston in October of 2007 after some restoration. The estimated value of this sculpture is $1 million, including restoration. It was created between 1969 and 1971 as part of the Hourloupe series.[4]
Synchronicity of Color : Nationally acclaimed artist Margo Sawyer’s installation graces both exits of the underground garage, with accents at The Grove and The Lake House. The 151 panels hold 1,500 aluminum boxes in 65 colors. The paint on these boxes is also used in under water applications for oil rigs and was gifted by International Paint LLC. Some elements are kamelion car paint color and also Dicroic film, a new technology and application.
Listening Vessels : Sculptor Doug Hollis’ Listening Vessels, a gift from Maconda Brown O’Connor, sits in the midst of the Urban Gardens, an ideal setting for these serene and graceful pieces. The two parabolas, cut from solid limestone and spaced 60 feet (18 m) apart, epitomize Hollis’ desire to call attention to events that are taken for granted, such as conversation. Visitors are intended to come across the vessels and gain an understanding of their function as they realize they can hear the words of another person speaking at a normal volume, a great distance away.
Mist Tree : Hollis also created the Mist Tree, a gift from Fayez Sarofirm, located next to the playground. The Mist Tree is a 15-foot (4.6 m)-high-by-22-foot-wide stainless steel structure that is sited to attract people to the park. Visible from beyond the park’s boundaries, the rain curtain and mist streams generated by the tree will entice children and adults to refresh themselves in its delightful shower.
 "Monument AU Fantome", All photos by Paul Duron |
 Synchronicity of Color |
 Listening Vessels |
 Mist Tree |
Planned Events and Uses
The park plans to host a health fair on Juneteenth and an Asian festival. A farmer's market will serve a demand for locally produced food. On weekends, families can visit the park, put their pets in one of two dog runs and watch their kids play on the playground while they discard their newspapers and cans into recycling bins.[5]
See also
Notes
- ^ Discovery Green Park Features - Discovery Green Conservancy
- ^ Mike Snyder (2008-08-17). "Discovery Green exceeds hopes by leaps and bounds". chon.com, The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ Restaurants - Discovery Green Conservancy
- ^ Downtown art landmark donated to new city park
- ^ Houston's new park combines green space, amenities
External links
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