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Houston's iconic MacGregor Park along Brays Bayou in Southeast Houston is getting a $54 million renovation. Houston City Council approved on Wednesday a proposal to jumpstart upgrades on the 65-acre park.
According to the city, the park has a lot of wear and tear and they are calling the park investment transformational. Changes include improving the tennis center, baseball field, the swimming pool, and building a new amphitheater, and extending the park’s perimeter by 1.25 miles, linking the Bayou Greenway Trails along Brays Bayou, creating a network of bike lanes.
"This will be a transformational investment for MacGregor Park, which all of us benefit whether you live right in that area or not," said Mayor Sylvester Turner.
Many professional athletes like tennis star Zina Garrison have trained at the park and it's also home to a Martin Luther King Jr. memorial statue. Houston Parks Board, the nonprofit spearheading the project, will raise an additional $12.5 million along with the city’s contribution of $5 million, the Kinder Foundation’s $27 million, which makes up half the funding, and other various partners.
"We remain committed to investing in projects that increase the quality of life for our community," said President and CEO of the Kinder Foundation, Nancy Kinder, in a press release. "MacGregor Park is one of Houston's most beloved parks, and we're thrilled to contribute to a project that further develops and preserves this important greenspace in southeast Houston."
Other renovations include the community plaza, playgrounds, event lawn, youth multipurpose field, and modifications to its parking. A new ADA-accessible playground will also be added to the park. Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz represents the area and said she has many memories of her visits to the park.
"Very excited about this. I actually grew up playing going to the swimming pool at McGregor Park," she said. "I just grew up watching the young people play in the park at the basketball court. [I'm] just very, very thankful that this is coming into fruition."
Houston Parks and Recreation Department Director Kenneth Allen said in a press release, that the improvements to the park will hopefully attract new visitors like it has over the years and remain a heartfelt place for the community it serves.
"MacGregor Park is one of Houston's treasures, and we are proud to have initiated the master planning process," said Kenneth Allen. "The improvements planned for this park will continue its evolution as a source of pride for neighborhood residents. It will also become a magnet for new visitors to the park and the Third Ward community."
Work on the project will span over the next five years.