On Saturday, April 2, Hermann Park Conservancy (HPC) and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) broke ground on the Commons, a 26-acre space in the Park’s southwest corner on the corner of Fannin and Cambridge Streets. The project, part of HPC’s 20-year master plan, aims to make the Park an even more beneficial place for all Houstonians and to unify communities for years to come.

Bordered by the Texas Medical Center, Houston Zoo, Rice University, and the Museum District, the Commons will provide a much-needed connector among these key institutions. Landscape architects Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates will revitalize the area to create an inviting gateway and lively community asset, with new structures and amenities for visitors of all ages. Highlights include multiple play areas for children, a central lawn, new grilling and picnic areas, and more. American Institute of Architecture award winner Marlon Blackwell will also contribute to the Commons with designs for additional and/or re-imagined features, including several new pavilions and a fantastical carousel. Construction will begin on the Commons this month and is set for completion in January 2024.

“It is amazing to see something that started as an idea, followed by years of planning, is finally taking its first step to reality with this groundbreaking” said Doreen Stoller, president of Hermann Park Conservancy. “The Commons will be a place for everyone – for visitors of all ages and abilities to experience Hermann Park in a new way. We can’t wait for the community to come and enjoy it, and to find their new favorite spot in Hermann Park.”

The centerpiece of the Commons are the Play Gardens, a new, almost three-acre playground that will reimagine the Buddy Carruth Playground for All Children. Themed play areas will be separated for various age groups ranging from 6 months to 12 years, with each space offering shaded seating for parents. All features will be designed to encourage exploration and learning and will go beyond minimum accessibility requirements to create play experiences that provide children of all abilities with a range of physical, sensory and social experiences. Highlights of the Play Gardens include: a 45-foot-tall rocket ship slide and space capsule in the “Space Adventure” area; a classic carousel with a modern twist; and “The Bayou,” which will provide an interactive first-hand look at the innerworkings of Houston’s natural water features.

“I am thrilled about this project because the Commons space at Hermann Park will be a spectacular addition to one of Houston’s signature parks,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “The design, which encourages social interaction and exploration, will make it a popular destination

spot for families. I thank our generous partners for transforming the space into one that will bustle with energy in the near future.”

Directly across the street from Memorial Hermann Hospital and the Texas Medical Center, a six-acre Welcome Garden will welcome health care workers and patient families, who can find respite among the native plantings and 100-year-old live oaks at the decked Live Oak Terrace. The Conservancy will renovate the historic Fannin Pavilion with major refurbishments, including more natural light, food stations, and custom wooden tables and benches. Larger groups can gather at the Central Lawn, an expansive area at the center of the Commons where visitors can relax or enjoy informal sports activities. Families and friends can opt for one of two new shade pavilions or sit at picnic tables and barbeque grills nestled under the trees. Visitors can also stroll along McGovern Lake and rest in one of the new boulder coves along its edge to watch the ducks.

“Hermann Park is already a special place, but the addition of amenities for all age groups, natural water features, and a 45-foot rocket ship will take this park to a new level,” said Kenneth Allen, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department. “I applaud the talented team effort working to make this project a reality. There’s no question in my mind that this project is going to be a hit with every visitor to Hermann Park.”

Large-scale habitat restoration will be foundational to all features in the Commons, including the addition of thousands of new trees and plants, which will create vital habitats for the more than 600 species of birds that come through Houston every year. The Conservancy using regenerative agriculture to plant seven acres of crops in rotations to restore the Park’s soil, steering away from artificial fertilizers and pesticides

The Commons is one of three projects funded by the $51 million Play Your Park campaign. Fundraising for the Commons began in 2019, with 73 percent of the funding secured to-date. Visit the Hermann Park Conservancy website for more information, and click here for the press kit with photos of the groundbreaking event, a fact sheet and renderings of the completed Commons project.