M2L Associates was pleased to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 8 at Hartman Park, the first neighborhood park in the 50/50 Park Partners initiative to create equity in complete communities and City of Houston neighborhood parks. M2L Associates was the landscape architect for the park project.
The 50/50 Park Partners campaign is a call to action by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Office, the Houston Parks Board, Greater Houston Partnership and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department for 50 companies to make financial commitments and ancillary support to 50 Houston neighborhood parks. The ultimate goal of the campaign is to uplift parks in communities that need it most and continue to strengthen Houston’s national reputation as a green space leader.
The Hartman Park improvements were made possible by Valero Energy Foundation, which has committed $600,000 as a founding member of the 50/50 Park Partners campaign.
Mayor Turner (pictured above, center) cut the ribbon at the event. “Houston has wonderful signature parks, but I created the 50/50 Park Initiative to improve neighborhood parks in Complete Communities and other key areas of the City,” Turner said. “Nice parks enhance the quality of life for every Houstonian, and every child, and every family deserves a safe and beautiful space to enjoy the outdoors. I am grateful to Valero for investing in improving Hartman Park. I know the community will appreciate this special park for years to come.”
Lead designer and M2L Principal Wen-Ping Hung attended the ceremony and said M2L was honored to add Hartman Park to the firm’s long list of Houston park projects, especially as the first park in the 50/50 Park Partners program. “We couldn’t be more proud of these beautiful park updates that will enhance the Manchester neighborhood and be a gathering place for years to come,” she said. “Thanks to the unique collaboration of so many stakeholders and Valero’s generous investment in the partner initiative, Hartman Park will not only be a focal point for this eastside community but also a shining example of what can be accomplished when Houston’s many successful companies and corporate givers invest on a local parks level.”
Hartman Park offers a playground, lighted tennis courts, a lighted sports field, 0.62-mile hike and bike trail, and an indoor gym. Park updates focused on the redevelopment of the playground area. Notable features include colorful playground units for children ages 2–5 and 5–12, multiple swings and spinners, a new concrete border, ramp and walks, new playground surfacing, subsurface drainage, new benches, a new bike rack, and a required detention area.
Hung said working to satisfy the community’s recreational needs is central to M2L’s design philosophy for parks, because just like people every park and community is different. “Community input — especially from neighborhood children — was central to the choices and colors of playground equipment and park elements we incorporated in the Hartman Park updates. I was thrilled to see so many happy neighborhood children at the unveiling.”
“Community is at the heart of 50/50 Park Partners and we hope this new playground at Hartman Park will be a gathering place for the Manchester neighborhood for years to come,” said Beth White, president and CEO of Houston Parks Board. “Houston Parks Board is proud to support the City and Mayor Turner in bringing needed improvements to neighborhood parks across our city. Parks play a vital role in our communities and we look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure all Houstonians have access to beautiful greenspaces to enjoy.”
“There are neighborhood parks throughout our City that would benefit from an investment by the 50/50 Parks Initiative. I encourage the business community and philanthropic leaders to join us in these efforts.” said Mayor Turner. “We can make a significant difference throughout Houston, one neighborhood at a time.” At M2L Associates, we couldn’t agree more!
To learn more about 50/50 Park Partners, please visit Houston5050parkpartners.com.