Downtown Ferris Wheel

Downtown Ferris Wheel 

2015 Houston Rodeo Run (photos)

Memorial Park Running and Walking Trails in the Winter

Majestic Live Oak without Leaves
Memorial Loop Drive (West) and Trail 

Running Trails Center with parking lot 

Paved ramp to Woodway and Memorial Drive pedestrian overpass
lined with native grasses

The new Running Trails Center next to the RR tracks 

Apache Grove - The wildflowers will sprout later 

The "New" Mandell Park in all its revitalized glory - urban recreational green-space with veggie garden in Montrose

The New Mandell Park 

Wide tree-lined gravel-covered walkway with pairs of benches
on the wall lining what may become a true alley when the trees grow bigger and taller.

Children's tile art installed on concrete wall
Adjoining Mi Pueblito patio in background

Bicycle parking
Bike rack on wide gravel walking paths 

Skip's garden shed with grass planted on roof.
The shed is named for one of the locals who played a key role
 in the community park's development.

Flock of birds aloft over the newly rebuild urban park 

Mandell Park name sign on corner of Richmond and Mandell St.

Veggies in urban garden.

Pair of park benches facing each other inviting
small group discourse and communal park enjoyment 

Adopt a Park sign - Friends of Mandell Park sponsors recognized 

Close-up of Skip's Shed with live green roof 

High-resolution photo of children's art wall below:

(click to enlarge)

Children's communal mosaic art wall with contributions by many 

Also see 2012 blog post on Mandell Park before it was redone 

History of Mandell Park - Successful model of creative conversion of
abandoned overgrown lot in urban area by neighborhood initiative 

Buffalo Bayou riverwalk trails and green spaces on both sides in the Downtown Houston area

Buffalo Bayou access point with metal art work overhead 

Buffalo Bayou with Kayak port - Houston Ballet buildings
in background 

A major landmark overlooking Buffalo Bayou Downtown Houston: UHD aka
University of Houston Downtown, formerly M & M Building

Looking across Buffalo Bayou from the West near
Aquarium and Franklin Street Post Office

Descent to lower bayou bank with artistic boat-theme design

Preston Ave Bayou Bridge with artistic metal structures
at The Wortham Center 

McNair Jogging Trail at Kinder Lake

Trail on North side of Lake at Discovery Green Park
at Downtown Houston Convention Center

Running Trails Facility under construction in Memorial Park

Construction site as of end of April 2014
North Picnic Lane near the RR Tracks and pedestrian bridge over Woodway
and Memorial Drive

Kinder Lake at the George R. Brown Convention Center - Discovery Green

TV tree art installation across Kinder Lake

Kinder means 'children' in German; but the lake takes its name from the Kinder family benefactors. Still, it is not a misnomer, even if understood to be a children's pond (Kinderteich) by visitors from Germany. Indeed, the entire Discovery Green park has much to offer to kids, including boating on the lake (and open-air ice-skating in January which the Galleria Mall only offers indoors); surprise water jets in a walk-about fountain feature; a playground area with equipment to climb on; a water curtain on an art installation, and more. Not to mention that the whole family can go see Downtown from a horse-drawn carriage, which can be hired closeby.

Kinder Lake with partial view of convention center from the boardwalk

Artificial lake with ornamental grasses on shoreline.

Kinder Lake with GRB Convention Center in April 2014 (photo added)