Houston’s MacGregor Park, located in the Third Ward just southeast of the city’s downtown, has long been a gathering space for Houstonians. Houston Parks Board has selected Hood Design Studio, helmed by Walter Hood, to lead a $54 million expansive renovation of the historic park. The planned renovations hope to improve access to urban green spaces and enhance the quality of life for the neighboring community.
The renovation of MacGregor Park has been long awaited. An initial master plan organized by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department was completed in 2016, followed by an update of the plan in 2021. In December 2023, the Houston City Council officially approved the renovations following extensive conversations between stakeholders, public agencies, and community organizations including lead consultant M2L Associates, the City of Houston, and the University of Houston.
In addition to Hood Design Studio, the renovation will involve a myriad of collaborators such as Talley Landscape Architects, design firm Moody Nolan, and engineering team Walter. P. Moore.
Projected renovations include a revitalization of existing facilities such as the Homer Ford Tennis Center and community center, as well as an extension of the park’s perimeter trail by 1.25 miles to connect to the existing Brays Bayou Greenways trail. Planned additions to the park consist of a natural amphitheater for communal gatherings and an ADA-accessible playground.
In The Houston Chronicle, Hood spoke on his desire to restore a sense of untamed wildness, in the park, guided by Houston’s natural ecology. “Imagine if this was wild,” Hood said of an area around the basketball court. “Why can’t it be wild? Something you don’t need to cut. There can be areas where you have this latent and nascent thing. Give it water, and something will pop up.”
Chairman of Houston Parks Board, Barron Wallace, said the project is slated to closely consider the “rich cultural and historical heritage” of the century-old park, which features a memorial statue of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Hood Design Studio brings to project ample experience designing urban parks, including Panorama Park in San Francisco and Baisley Park in Queens.
“Walter’s past work emphasizes the importance of working with the community to honor history, celebrate culture and inspire innovation, making him a natural fit with Houston’s iconic MacGregor Park,” added Beth White, president and CEO of the Houston Parks Board.
The project is estimated to cost $54 million. Donations have come from myriad sources including $27 million from Houston-based nonprofit Kinder Foundation, $5 million from the City of Houston, and $4 million from the Community Project Funding Grant sponsored by U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. Houston Parks Board is currently in the process of raising the remaining funds of $11 million.
Dr. Teddy McDavid, chair of the MacGregor Park Conservancy and chair of the Friends of MacGregor Park, said: “I am excited to witness the impact the transformation will have on fostering a stronger sense of belonging and connectivity among this entire community.”