Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Joe Turner was appointed and approved by City Council as the Director of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department in 2004.
As the Director he directs and manages all parks, parkways, and greenspaces belonging to the City of Houston. This includes improvements to those properties and the management of any others assigned to be under his authority by the mayor and city council. It is also his duty to approve and direct all new improvements and maintenance of these properties. He is also authorized to make rules and regulations for park properties.
Under his leadership the Houston Parks and Recreation Department works daily to fulfill the Department’s mission:
“To enhance the quality of urban life by providing safe well-maintained parks and offering affordable programming for our community.”
HPARD DIVISIONS
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.) is composed of four divisions:
Recreation and Wellness
This division oversees the operation and programming of the department’s 60 community centers, the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center (M.M.S.C.), and the Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark.
Greenspace Management
This division oversees the daily maintenance of Houston’s parkland, esplanades, greenspaces, urban forests and manages the operation of Lake Houston Wilderness Park.
Facilities Management and Development
This division is responsible for the administration of the Parks Master Plan and individual park Master Plans, implements the Capital Improvement Plan (in coordination with the General Service Department), oversees and coordinates park system improvements and expansion, provides Park Administration for Hermann and Memorial Park, and oversees the operation of HPARD’s Urban Park Rangers.
Management and Finance
This division oversees the operations of all aspects of accounting, purchasing, information technology services, safety, and grant writing for the department and includes liaisons for HR, Payroll and Workers Compensation.
HPARD LATEST NEWS More ...
Recreation Catalog Available Now
Smoking Ban in City of Houston Parks - Becomes effective September 2, 2014.
Memorial Park Master Plan Meetings - Memorial Park Tomorrow
Bayou Preservation Association – Memorial Park Demonstration Project
Bayou Greenways 2020
Buffalo Bayou Park Developments
Adaptive Skate and WCMX Clinic – November 8, 2014
Holiday Tea – December 7, 2014
Candlelight Tours – December 13 – 14, 2014
Hermann Park Run in the Park – November 8, 2014
Answering the Call to Serve - The Heritage Society Museum
Buffalo Bayou Park Trail Closed
Art In Parks Online
Enjoy a visit to Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Volunteer With H.P.A.R.D.!
CLOSED FOR REPAIR / CONSTRUCTION More ...
Routine Maintenance / Repair and Improvement Projects
Anderson Park Tennis Court Lights/Parking Lot - August 6 – Further Notice
Buffalo Bayou Park Trail Closed - August 13, 2012 - Until Further Notice
Eleanor Tinsley Park Parking Lot - August 19, 2013 - Until Further Notice
Houston Garden Center - August 1, 2013 - Fall 2014
Levy Park – January 2014 - Spring 2015
Meadowcreek Park Pavilion - August 5, 2014 - Until Further Notice
Memorial Park / Hogg Sanctuary - Summer 2014 - Fall 2014
Tranquillity Park Fountain - September 9, 2013 - Until Further Notice
Capital Improvement Projects
Keith-Wiess Park – September 23, 2013 – October 2014
Hermann Square – May 7, 2014 - Fall 2014
Guadalupe Park - May 7, 2014 – May 2015
PARK PARTNERS AND SPONSORSHIPS
» Buffalo Bayou Partnership
» Friends of Lee LeClear Tennis Center
» Friends of Emancipation Park
» Friends of Mary Ann Francklow Park
» Friends of Mandel Park
» Friends of Woodland Park
» Grand Slam for Youth Baseball
» Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
» Hermann Park Conservancy
» Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
» Houston Parks Board
» Memorial Park Conservancy
» Trees for Houston
» Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy
OTHER VENUES OF INTEREST
» Discovery Green
» Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
» Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
» Houston Museum of Natural Science
» Houston Zoo
» Market Square
» Miller Outdoor Theatre
OTHER CITY RESOURCES
» Capital Improvement Projects
» H.P.D. Crime Monitoring
» Houston Bike Share
» Mayor's Office of Special Events
H.P.A.R.D. CALENDAR OF EVENTS