HOUSTON – Discovery Green, Houston’s premier 12-acre urban park, has been nominated for USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award in the Best City Park category. This nomination highlights the park’s role as a vibrant, community-driven space offering year-round events, public art, and lush green landscapes for both Houstonians and visitors.

Why Discovery Green Deserves Your Vote

Since its grand opening in 2008, Discovery Green has welcomed over 20 million visitors, transforming downtown Houston into a hub of activity. The park hosts hundreds of events annually, including live concerts, outdoor movie nights, fitness classes, art exhibitions, and family-friendly festivals. 

 John P McGovern Playground/courtesy of Discovery Green
 Lawrence Elizabeth Knox  

Competing Against the Nation’s Best

Discovery Green is one of 20 parks nominated for the award, competing against renowned locations like New York’s Central Park, Austin’s Zilker Metropolitan Park, and Dallas’s Klyde Warren Park. Other contenders include:

Ala Moana Regional Park (Honolulu, HI)

Bonnet Springs Park (Lakeland, FL)

Bruce Park (Greenwich, CT)

Centennial Park (Nashville, TN)

City Park (Denver, CO)

Dorothea Dix Park (Raleigh, NC)

Falls Park on the Reedy (Greenville, SC)

Forest Park (St. Louis, MO)

Gathering Place (Tulsa, OK)

Gloria Molina Grand Park (Los Angeles, CA)

Golden Gate Park (San Francisco, CA)

Lake Eola Park (Orlando, FL)

Loring Park (Minneapolis, MN)

Railroad Park (Birmingham, AL)

Rose Kennedy Greenway (Boston, MA)

Wildwood Preserve Metropark (Toledo, OH)

 Synchronicity of Color by Margo Sawyer/Photographer: Lance Childers
 Houston First Corporation (Lance Childers)  

How You Can Help

Public voting is open now through Monday, April 7 at 11 a.m. CT. Supporters can cast their votes once per day at 10Best.com.