OLD MARKET SQUARE PARK
This
Downtown park and occasional public entertainment venue was completely redone a
couple-or-so years ago in the course of urban revitalization efforts. One layer
of Google Maps birds eye’s view (not sure whether it's a satellite image or photo
taken from other flying object) still shows a construction site with a few green spots on it. See below:
Market
Square Park consists of several components that serve different purposes and
different categories of visitors and Downtown denizens. The West side adjoining
Milam Street was converted to an enclosed dog park, with separate corrals for
dogs of different sizes. It is marked with a sculpture of a large dog on a
paved spot between park benches along the landscaped walkway that separates the dog run area from the rest of the park.
Next to the memorial, Niko Niko’s Downtown outpost serves up Greek and American fare, and also wine and beer, with plenty of
seating al fresco nearby. Temperate “fresco” temperatures are not a year-round feature
of Houston’s climate, of course. There are gas-fired heaters available during
the cold season, and overhead mist dispensers for cooling in the summer. There is no indoor seating.
The core of
the park is a large green space at the center, where Alamo Drafthouse occasionally
shows movies that folks can enjoy from blankets spread on the grass, from lawn
chairs, or from the Niko Niko’s chairs and tables in the trellis section. Other outdoor events also take place at this public green space occasionally, including live music
performances.
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| Water table and brightly colored wall in half-circle on the South end of the park |
Market
Square Park features water fountains in the form of water tables that are like
mini-reflecting pools. The stone surfaces feature colored imagery in pleasant
hues and evoke associations with French impressionism in themes and style.
The largest
piece of art adorning Market Square Park is a floral-theme metal sculpture at
the end of the trellis, with bronze petals stretching skywards. Several historical and interpretive markers
chronicle the evolution and transformation of the erstwhile market for visitors with a deeper
interest in the background of this historic place. The retrospective on this historic old-town
Houston site also includes a number of old black and white photographs.
But the most visible
part of history is the old Seth Thomas clock that was saved when the old city hall
burned down, and is now installed at a clock tower erected at the corner of Travis
and Congress.
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Clock tower at the edge of Old Market Square
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| Clockworks inside the tower - made by Seth Thomas Clock Co. |
|
Numerous
restaurants and bars are located across the streets on the North and East sides
(Congress and Travis Street, respectively). The entire area, which is to the North-West of
the Theater District has of late seen something of a renaissance. The most
recent arrivals are Batanga, a Spanish tapas restaurant with large patio in the
shade of the clock tower on the edge of Market Square, and the OKRA Charity Bar. The new Houston-Inspired Mural - part of a recently-launched promotional campaign -- is located nearby: on the South side of the Treebeards building (at the corner of Travis and Preston Street). Adding a more contemporary flair, its cheerfulness and vibrant colors make for a nice juxtaposition and eye-pleasing composite of the Old and the New in the Historic District.
Market
Square was one of the original sites in the City of Houston bike rental program, which has since been expanded to include many more locations,
including some outside the Downtown
area. This not only increases the options for occasional cyclists or those interested in exploring the city on two wheels; it also allows for one-way rides,
and thus multi-modal trips around town, because bikes can be rented in one
location and returned in another. Metro buses also facilitate multi-modal transportation with bike racks installed on the front bumper.
Market
Square Park is managed and maintained by the Downtown Management District, a property-tax funded
public entity devoted to urban improvement of the area for which it is named. There are similar special district in other areas of H-Town, including Westchase and Energy Corridor.
The latest improvements to the park itself
were undertaken earlier in 2013 when the section around the floral
sculpture was closed for trellis extension.
The Management District maintains a website with information on upcoming events at Market Square Park and a
listing of nearby bars and dining spots.
Unfortunately,
Market Square Park does not have public restroom facilities and Niko Niko’s only has
one restroom, with a key guarded by the manager on duty. What were the park planners
thinking? How can you hope to attract droves of Houstonians back to Downtown
and bring life back to deserted public spaces without even providing the necessary
amenities? The same applies -- alas -- to Buffalo Bayou Promenade, Houston's answer to San Antonio's popular Riverwalk.
The largest
piece of art adorning Market Square Park is a floral-theme metal sculpture at
the end of the trellis, with bronze petals stretching skywards. Several historical and interpretive markers
chronicle the evolution and transformation of the erstwhile market for visitors with a deeper
interest in the background of this historic place. The retrospective on this historic old-town
Houston site also includes a number of old black and white photographs. 
