Houston Working On 120-Acre Botanical Garden

HOUSTON, TX — An old golf course will transform into a giant botanical garden near the heart of Houston. Houston Botanic Garden announced it has completed the terms of its agreement with the City of Houston and began its lease at the former Glenbrook Park Golf Course effective April 2, 2018.

Work to transform the 120-acre former golf course into a botanic garden will begin with Botanic Beginnings, the first phase of the Master Plan. This initial phase is emblematic of the energy, diversity and spirit of Houston, America’s fastest growing, most multi-cultural metropolis.

“We are thrilled to begin work on the botanic garden, and thank the city for being an incredible partner on this transformative project,” said Claudia Gee Vassar, president and general counsel of Houston Botanic Garden. “Once open, the garden will be a cultural icon for Houston and a world-class destination for generations to come.”

Houston Botanic Garden was first envisioned more than 30 years ago by Houstonians Nancy Thomas and Kay Crooker. Now, that vision becomes a reality. Set to open in late 2020, Houston Botanic Garden will become a living museum where it will showcase international and native plant collections, host educational classes for children and adults, and provide engaging programming that will embrace the garden and natural settings along Sims Bayou.

Ultimately, Houston Botanic Garden will support a greater mission of conserving the diversity of plants from Houston and around the world, and inspire appreciation of the natural world. When complete, the garden could draw visitors around the world to Houston, and perhaps serve as a rich asset for the neighboring community.

“Houston Botanic Garden is a long-term investment in our city, that will create a sustainable space for Houstonians and visitors, alike, to enjoy,”Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “By 2020, Houston will welcome a beautiful botanic garden, which will rival the gardens of other major cities, and become another jewel to Houston’s Park system.”

Located on the southeast side of Houston, Houston Botanic Garden bridges Sims Bayou and is interlaced by the naturalized Sims Meander, yielding a dynamic ecosystem as frame that will enhance the botanic garden’s offerings with native flora, fauna and ecosystems that bound the site. The following “Botanic Beginnings” features will welcome Houstonians in 2020, and the partnership between the city and Houston Botanic Garden hope to set the standard for an iconic Botanic Garden for generations to come:

Global Collection Garden

The Global Collection Garden will be the primary setting for Houston Botanic Garden’s diverse collections and spectacular exhibits. Three zones — arid, subtropical and tropical — will display rare and exotic species from the region and around the globe with meandering paths for wandering, respite and events.

Edible Garden

Houston’s rich diversity of cuisine is combined with the beauty of food and joy of eating in the Edible Garden. This garden will engage the senses by providing visitors the opportunity to see, smell, touch and taste a variety of edible plants. The Edible Garden will also allow visitors to understand the creative cultivation of plants over millennia, and how plants are both representative of our diverse cultures and also a unifier.

Event Lawn and Glade

The Event Lawn will bring together visitors from all walks of life by providing a vast array of programming and events surrounded by an ample space overlooking the bayou and rich foliage. There will also be a smaller glade for more intimate events for specials events, birthdays and weddings.

Susan Garver Children’s Discovery Garden

Childhood reaches its pinnacle at the Susan Garver Children’s Discovery Garden. The 3-acre area will reimagine an existing pond as an oasis for aquatic and carnivorous plants, forests and floating gardens, interspersed with natural play areas for running free and a picnic grove.

The following features will be available as part of an 11-acre pre-ticketed area:

Botanic Boulevard

A beautiful tree-lined entrance will be created off of Park Place Boulevard, including a vehicular bridge that will cross the Sims Bayou to welcome visitors to the garden.

Picnic Grove

A Picnic Grove will be nestled amongst new and existing oaks with ample room for visitors to gather and engage with nature.

Stormwater Detention Wetlands

Stormwater wetlands ponds will be installed as an exhibit on green infrastructure and plants that can help with flood control and water purification.

“I’m proud to represent the surrounding community and welcome the Houston Botanic Garden, which will bring valuable educational programming for schoolchildren and children at heart. The botanic garden will also keep the natural beauty of Sims Bayou and nearby area by not only preserving a precious greenspace, but enriching it for the better,” said Robert Gallegos, who serves as Council Member for District I.

Houston Botanic Garden makes its entrance at a time while the city is enthusiastically embracing greenspace projects. Botanic gardens are traditionally renowned as scientific centers and places where people of all ages can study and learn about plants and the natural world. In urban settings, gardens give neighbors and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of nature without leaving the city. They also offer communities a place for gathering, recreation and celebration of the natural landscape.

As Houston Botanic Garden implements “Botanic Beginnings,” it will begin hosting volunteer events including tree plantings, programming support and more to give visitors the opportunity to get involved.

For more information and updates about Houston Botanic Garden, visit: www.HBG.org

Photos via Houston Botanic Garden