Houston Parks and Recreation Department

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) operates and maintains the City of Houston's parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, golf courses, skateparks, and recreation centers; as well as, providing recreational programming.[2][3] HPARD currently oversees 382 developed parks and more than 167 greenspaces, covering over 39,500 acres;[3] and over 125 miles of hike-and-bike trails.[4]

Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Department overview
Preceding agencies
  • Department of Parks
  • The Department of Playgrounds and Recreation
JurisdictionCity of Houston
HeadquartersHouston
Employees708 (as of Jan 2021)[1]
Department executive
  • Kenneth Allen, Director
Child agencies
  • · The Director's Office
  • · Recreation & Wellness
  • · Greenspace Management
  • · Facilities Management & Development
  • · Management & Finance
  • · Urban Park Rangers & Safety
  • · Communications
Websitehoustontx.gov/parks/index.html

The HPARD consists of seven (7) divisions:[3]

  1. The Director's Office
  2. Recreation and Wellness Division
  3. Greenspace Management
  4. Facilities Management and Development
  5. Management and Finance
  6. Urban Park Rangers and Safety, and
  7. Communications

History

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The Department of Public Parks was created on March 15, 1916 by a City of Houston ordinance (Chapter 23, Article 1, Section 32-2). At that time, the department had two parks — Sam Houston Park and Hermann Park.[1]

In 2008, the department received national accreditation from the National Recreation and Park Association's (NRPA) Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).[1]

As of 2021, the department has:[1]

  • Budget: $69 million
  • Employees: 708 full time
  • Facilities
    • Developed Parks: 382
    • Greenspaces: 160
    • Acres: 39,000+

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "CITY OF HOUSTONinvites applications for the position of: DIRECTOR - PARKS & RECREATIONS". City of Houston Job Opportunities. Government Jobs. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  2. ^ Zuvanich, Adam (2022-10-17). "Houston to protect more than 7,400 acres of nature preserves under new city ordinance". Houston Public Media. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  3. ^ a b c "Houston Parks & Recreation Department: About Us". City of Houston. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  4. ^ "Houston Parks & Outdoors". Greater Houston Partnership. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
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