To accelerate the visionary Memorial Park Master Plan, the Kinder Foundation offered a grant of $70 million to Memorial Park Conservancy in April 2018. Houston’s largest single parks grant is a catalyst for public-private partnership with the City of Houston. The partnership includes: a commitment of this lead gift toward $125 million in funding to be raised by the conservancy; $50 million investment by Uptown Development Authority for infrastructure improvements; and leverages the potential for $30 million in federal support.

The foundation’s grant supports connectivity to and within the park including a land bridge over Memorial Drive; destination projects Eastern Glades, Memorial Groves, and the Running Complex; and ecological restoration. Other plan additions include a trail/bridge system north over I-10, linking the White Oak Bayou Greenway trail system, and south over Buffalo Bayou; a 1.5-mile accessibility trail through the 600-acre wilderness, and other trails and crossings. See the full Memorial Park Master Plan approved by Houston City Council in 2015.

memorialparkconservancy.org