Revive, Renew, Restore: Houston Parks

By Community Contributor

Freed Park
Sixty plus volunteers showed up at Freed Park on April 5th to lend a helping hand to the community. Some were so eager, they began to clean up even before the parks project start time! I was inspired by the their passion for outreach. We all worked together with enthusiasm to help out. People from all over the community came out and thanked the volunteers for cleaning up their park. The fellowship with volunteers, churches and the community was priceless.

Alvin Godwin
Freed Park Captain

Memorial Park
The volunteers that participated were inspired by helping the community. Many of the volunteers who were students at Lone Star College Cyfair were so excited that they inspired the dean of the college to consider a community service project for next year.

Corinne Patrick
Memorial Park Captain

It was an awesome experience to see Mayor White take time away from his morning bike ride to stop and thank us personally for participating in the cleanup. The Parks and Recreation Department representatives also thanked us because the area we cleaned was typically not a part of the routine cleanup, but was much needed.

Israel Silva
Memorial Park Captain

Edgewood Park
Working with Mission Houston was a great experience. It allowed an opportunity for a group of young volunteers, many of which were first time volunteers, to get beyond their walls and reach a community. We cleaned, shoveled and worked together to make Edgewood Park a friendly place for children and their families. All of the volunteers enjoyed their time and were glad to see the hard work pay off!

Alexzandra Rico & Abner Espana & Elaine Gomez
Edgewood Park Captains

Mason Park
The Texas Youth Commission, the East Lawndale Civic Association, Lakewood Church volunteers, and local community members came out to restore part of the park back to a beautiful picnic area.

The Parks and Recreation Department also assisted us in removing several loads of debris that hadn’t been cleaned since the days of Tropical Storm Allison. 

The two pictures show a before and after … a restoration to recreation.
Israel Silva
Mason Park Captain