Equitable Distribution of the Benefits & Opportunities Regarding Parks in Houston

equitable distribution of the benefits and opportunities regarding parks in Houston By: Joel Samuel, Amanda Lopez and Rafia Imran

lack of accessible and well-maintained green spaces as a result of policy, law and/or practices.

Park

inequity

refers

to

the

Research has shown that a lack of parks leads to harmful impacts on mental and physical health, as well as significant

environmental strains.

racist and discriminatory policies, green gentrification and unequal distribution of funding have led to A history of

vast park inequity in Houston.

Why is this important?

Mental Health •Decreased Violence •Decreased Depression •Decreased Stress

Physical Health

Community

Environment

•Social Distancing (specific to pandemic)

•Increased Community Engagement

•Enhanced Stormwater Retention

•Decreased Obesity

•Established Support System

•Improved Habitats for Wildlife

•Increased Physical Exercise

•Empowerment

•Increased Air Quality •Reduced urban heat island effect

HISTORY

1872

1913

1918

1934

1940s

1947

Emancipation Park

HOUSTON’S MASTER PLAN

Emancipation Park

REDLINING

FLOOD MITIGATION

4 of 56 (1/14)

Ten acres of land were purchased by black residents to host Juneteenth celebrations. This was named Emancipation Park.

Boston Landscape Consultant, Arthur Comey, created a master plan that recommended Houston organize its development along its bayous and create a park system. This park system actually increased racial segregation.

Emancipation Park was acquired by the city in 1918. Due to Jim Crow laws, Emancipation Park became Houston’s solo park for blacks until 1940.

Redlining further increased racial segregation and discrimination against minority populations.

City officials began to link park planning with flood mitigation.

They laid down 2,500 miles of concrete to repurpose Houstoon’s bayous into flood mitigation channels.

Of the 56 total parks, 4 were open to blacks. Only one of those parks had been purchased using public funds, while the remaining 52 parks open to whites only were purchased using public funds totaling more than $15 million.*

* Information from The Successive Nature of City Parks: Making and Remaking Unequal Access Over Time by James Elliott, Elizabeth Korver-Glenn, Daniel Bolger

1978

1990S

1993

PRESENT

MOODY PARK

EMANCIPATION PARK

ZONING ORDINANCE

369 TOTAL PARKS

PARK PLACE

EMANCIPATION PARK

Moody Park became the site for a series of protests against the police murder of Jose Campos Torres. As tensions rose, many arrests were made, but the community fought back. This led to a large number of minorities joining the force.

Over the years, many improvements have taken place in the park. In 1998, the Parks to Standards program resulted in extensive renovations.

Houston voters reject proposed zoning ordinance.

Houston has 369 parks, but more privileged areas with fewer children are getting more parks.

For ever 1% increase of children in a neighborhood, there is a .48% reduction of city parks nearby.*

Park Place is a minority neighborhood where the city build a Botanic Garden to replace a public golf course, which served as a connection through the community. It is fenced-off and fee-based.

Emancipation Park tells the history and story of the neighborhood. Park improvements have likely increased nearby property values. Home values have increased 176% between 2000 and 2013.

* Information from The Successive Nature of City Parks: Making and Remaking Unequal Access Over Time by James Elliott, Elizabeth Korver-Glenn, Daniel Bolger

overview of funding

Government •Capital Improvement Process (CIP) •Mayors 50/50 Program •Council District Funds •Park Dedication Fund

Quasi-Government •TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone)

Non-Profit •Houston Parks Board •Foundations

Community •Park Conservancy Organizations

Government

Quasi-Government

Non-Profit

Community

ARE THESE PARK FUNDING MODELS CREATING EQUITABLE PARKS?

city’s park dedication fund Council Districts

WEST 22 Million

“Funds shall only be released... to build a park within the park sector from which the funds originated. ” Money in the Park Dedications Fund... shall NOT be used for park maitence or city staff overhead expenses.“

EAST 6 Million

20

1

2

4

10

19

12

17

14 18

11

9 13

8

16 6

7

Fees Collected in PRD Fund $1-$250,000 $250,000 - $500,000 $500,001 - $1,000,000 $1,000,001 - $3,000,000 $3,000,001 - $7,000,000

21

tirz budget 2021

Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 7

1. CITY PARK - 2 Million 2. EAST DOWNTOWN - 5 Million 3. EASTSIDE - N/A 4. FIFTH WARD - 4 Million 5. FOURTH WARD - 8 Million 6. GREATER HOUSTON - N/A 7. GREENSPOINT - 34 Million 8. GULFGATE - 4 Million 9. HARRISBURG - 15 Million 10. HARDY/NEAR NORTHSIDE - 4 Million 11. HIRAM CLARKE/FB HOUSTON - N/A 12. LELAND WOODS - N/A 13. MARKET SQUARE - 273 Million 14. MEMORIAL CITY - 12 Million 15. MEMORIAL HEIGHTS - 89 Million 16. MIIDTOWN - 29 Million 17. MONTROSE - 8 Million 18. OLD SIXTH WARD - 6 Million 19. O.S.T. /ALMEDA - 81 Million 20. SOUTH POST OAK - 760 Thousand 21. SOUTHWEST HOUSTON - 10 Million 22. ST. GEORGE PLACE - 1 Million 23. SUNNYSIDE - 2 Million 24. UPPER KIRBY - 86 Million 25. UPTOWN - 41 Million

12

1 15

14

10

18

25

4

13 5 2 17

16

9

24

22

19 21 3

6

2021 Tirz Budget Per Location

23

N/A $750,000 - $5,000,000 $5,000,001 - $15,000,000 $25,000,00 - $45,000,000 $75,000,001 - $90,000,000 $273,000,000

11

20

8

tirz budget 2021

Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 1. CITY PARK - 2 Million 2. EAST DOWNTOWN - 5 Million 3. EASTSIDE - N/A 4. FIFTH WARD - 4 Million 5. FOURTH WARD - 8 Million 6. GREATER HOUSTON - N/A 7. GREENSPOINT - 34 Million 8. GULFGATE - 4 Million 9. HARRISBURG - 15 Million 10. HARDY/NEAR NORTHSIDE - 4 Million 11. HIRAM CLARKE/FB HOUSTON - N/A 12. LELAND WOODS - N/A 13. MARKET SQUARE - 273 Million 14. MEMORIAL CITY - 12 Million 15. MEMORIAL HEIGHTS - 89 Million 16. MIIDTOWN - 29 Million 17. MONTROSE - 8 Million 18. OLD SIXTH WARD - 6 Million 19. O.S.T. /ALMEDA - 81 Million 20. SOUTH POST OAK - 760 Thousand 21. SOUTHWEST HOUSTON - 10 Million 22. ST. GEORGE PLACE - 1 Million 23. SUNNYSIDE - 2 Million 24. UPPER KIRBY - 86 Million 25. UPTOWN - 41 Million

7

12

1 15

14

10

18

25

4

13 5 2 17

16

24

22

Income $0 - $42,321

9

19 21 3

$42,322 - $67,924 $67,925 - $106,705 $106,706 - $162,716 $162,717 - $250,001

6

2021 Tirz Budget Per Location

23

N/A $750,000 - $5,000,000 $5,000,001 - $15,000,000 $25,000,00 - $45,000,000 $75,000,001 - $90,000,000 $273,000,000

11

20

8

Park projects

CIP & Parks Boards Projects Capital Improvement Fund Allocation (2021-2025) 3% Solid Waste Management

22% Police

25% Parks

7% Library 14% Fire

0.9% Homeless & Houston 9% Health

15% General Government

Houston spent $29 per resident on parks and recreation per resident in 2013 - compared to the national average of $63 per resident. * We spend less than half per resident on parks than at the national level.

Legend

Income $0 - $42,321 $42,322 - $67,924 $67,925 - $106,705 $106,706 - $162,716 $162,717 - $250,001

Funded by CIP Current Parks Board Projects Past Parks Board Projects *Source: https://www.houstontx.gov/parks/pdfs/2015/2015MasterPlan_Sector6.pdf

Factor comparison

Life Expectancy Map

Income Map

Park Dedication Map

Life Expectancy

Income

Fees Collected in PRD Fund

1 - 73 Years

$0 - $42,321

$1-$250,000

74 - 78 Years

$42,322 - $67,924

$250,000 - $500,000

79 - 82 Years

$67,925 - $106,705

$500,001 - $1,000,000

82 - 89 Years

$106,706 - $162,716

$1,000,001 - $3,000,000

$162,717 - $250,001

$3,000,001 - $7,000,000

Park precedent Study

Park precedents

Life Expectancy Map

Income Map

Park Dedication Map

Life Expectancy

Income

Fees Collected in PRD Fund

1 - 73 Years

$0 - $42,321

$1-$250,000

74 - 78 Years

$42,322 - $67,924

$250,000 - $500,000

79 - 82 Years

$67,925 - $106,705

$500,001 - $1,000,000

82 - 89 Years

$106,706 - $162,716

$1,000,001 - $3,000,000

$162,717 - $250,001

$3,000,001 - $7,000,000

Precedent Study Health

1

Terry Hershey Park

2

Hutcheson Park

3

Levy Park

4

2

4

Rosewood Park 1 3

Life Expectancy 1 - 73 Years 74 - 78 Years 79 - 82 Years 82 - 89 Years

Precedent Study

Park Amenity Comparison

Hutcheson Park

Rosewood Park

Hike & Bike Trails

Hike Trails

Hike & Bike Trails

Trails

Picnic Areas

Food Kiosk

Picnic Areas

Picnic Areas

Playground

Playground & Childrens Areas

Playground

Playground

Restrooms & Showers

Restrooms

Restrooms

Game Areas

Sports Facilities

West

Levy Park

Wildflower Gardens

Community Garden

Bayou Canoe / Boat Access

Dog Park

Event Lawns

Performance Pavilion

Sports Facilities

East

Terry Hershey Park

Precedent Study Terry Hershey Park

Levy Park

Hutcheson Park

4.7

4.8

4.2

Rosewood Park

4.1

5

5

5

5

4

4

4

4

3

3

3

3

2

2

2

2

1

1

1

1

Abigail Moran “The park is beautiful but there should be some info posted before entering trails. I walked for 3 hrs 1/2 and never ended.

The trail does not end up where it started. I had to get out to any street and called Uber which took 20 min to take me to my car and that was going through freeway.”

Lisa Mai “It has enough trees, but there are part of the park that have strong sewage or some terrible smell. The park people toured the trail. I told them the issue, but either they couldn't do anything about it or didn't do anything about it, the odor remains.”

Mason “Used to be a great and safe route for cyclists. Now they are enforcing 10MPH speed limit (even around the dam and G.B. park). Been biking here for two decades and never had an issue with other park goers. This park needs a bike trail or make the path wider! Now a lot of us have ride in the street to go our normal pace....which is scary in Houston. Something needs to change to allow all. Passing pedestrians at 10MPH always worked for me. It's a shame there are some dumb cyclists and some dumb pedestrians.”

TSM “Come have your car broken into.”

Mariah Shontel

Sean Walker “So sad. The kids playground is closed for COVID. Didn't know until we got there. Seems like one of the best kids playgrounds that I've ever seen, but all we got to do is look at it.”

Yasin Mogultay “Park director Stephanie was really rude and her talking was very disrespectful.”

Janie Rios “Towing, towing, towing. If you plan on enjoying time here, they will absolutely watch your cars and have a security person specifically set up to watch the cameras so they can call 1 minute after the 3 hour mark to tow your car. Goodness forbid they actually be there for actual security of the park.”

Gabrielle D “No baby tricycles because the park is “too small”. There needs to be a sign before children go here and get their hopes up that they can do this for someone to tell them no a set off a tantrum.”

B Shemiranipour “Too crowded. Kids not allowed to roller blade. No lawn chairs allowed. This should not be called a "park".”

“Disgusted”

Tellecia Hahn “The park needs a lot of attention it’s more of an abandoned lot than a park”

JB the one “Just bad.”

Chandra Shaw-Lewis “It is a great trail BUT too many stray dogs roaming through, it gets really crowded at peak walking times and not nearly enough parking.”

Juan Mendoza “In some areas the lights don't work and it feels kinda unsafe for my kids.”

Emily Crystal “I love my neighborhood park but I wish the city came clean that bayou. It has to many items that harm the life of nature in it.”

Kendra Gray “It was a nice park years ago..needs to be updated . slides cracked swings are to high up and I hate they have sand where swings are ..nice place to walk and great workout area though”

Linda Shankle “The grass never gets cut And the bitting bug will eat you alive out there they just don't take care of that park”

Sharon Gray Pollard “Awful and muddy”

Dj Eddie Nails “I mean I'm from the hood, but it was a little TOO hood for my Gbabies!”

Mk 4l “Ive got chased once”

Rodney Rodriguez “When I went to this park there was trash throughout the park and the bleachers was broken in certain parts.”

East

West

Google Community Reviews

Terry Hershey Park Memorial Area / Energy Corridor

Asthma

8.6%

9%

Area Average

Houston Average

79-89 YRS 79-89 YRS

Obesity

4

28.9% 30.8% Area Average

2

Houston Average 1 3

Life Expectancy 1 - 73 Years 74 - 78 Years 79 - 82 Years 82 - 89 Years

Terry Hershey park

Memorial Area / Energy Corridor Site Photos

Project Information Terry Hershey Park is a 496 Acre Park located by the Memorial Area & Energy Corridor District. The park has multiple access points with ample parking & there are many trail bridges & underpasses over roads and the bayou allowing easy & safe access within the park and the surrounding community. The landscape architecture firm SWA Group helped with the design of the trail system. The entire stretch of Buffalo Bayou Greenway between Sam Houston Tollway, Highway 6, & I-10 is part of the park. Although this stretch of Buffalo Bayou was straightened and Channelized by the Corps of Engineers in the 1950s, Much of the greenway is still very forested today creating habitat for wildlife.

Hutcheson Park Kashmere Gardens Asthma

10.6%

9%

Area Average

Houston Average

Obesity

49%

30.8%

Area Average

Houston Average

4

2

1 3

1-73 YRS Life Expectancy 1 - 73 Years 74 - 78 Years 79 - 82 Years 82 - 89 Years

1 - 73 YRS

Hutcheson park

Kashmere Gardens Site Photos

Project Information Hutcheson Park is a County park located in Kashmere Gardens along Loop 610 & Lockwood Drive. It’s part of the larger Hunting Bayou Greenway, which is being planned and constructed at various sections of Hunting Bayou; However the existing portion of the trail system does not directly tie into the park. The existing section of the Greenway trail which was recently constructed starts at Mickey Leland Memorial Park and stops just behind Canaan Baptist Church, which is located across from Hutcheson Park. Despite having plans for future trail connections west of the park, there are various obstacles including the 610 Loop freeway, roads, and rail lines. The Park itself is adjacent to the freeway which could bring excess noise to the park. Harris County and HPARD have inter-local agreements regarding maintenance and operation for Hutcheson Park.

lEVY pARK Upper Kirby

Asthma

8%

9%

Area Average

Houston Average

Obesity

4

10.2% 30.8% Area Average

2

Houston Average 1

3

Life Expectancy 1 - 73 Years 74 - 78 Years 79 - 82 Years 82 - 89 Years

79 - 82 YRS

Levy park

Upper Kirby

Site Photos

Project Information Levy Park is located in Houston’s Upper Kirby District, a mixed-use and mixed-neighborhood area about five miles west of downtown. In 2015, the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority, in partnership with the Upper Kirby District Foundation, undertook the transformation of Levy Park into a world-class park. Two years and $15 million dollars later the park was reopened. The community-minded park project was by Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority in partnership with the Upper Kirby District Foundation. It was a public private funded project. Levy Park Conservancy, an affiliate of the Upper Kirby District Foundation, is the private, nonprofit organization responsible for the maintenance, operation, and programming of Levy Park, a public City of Houston Park.

Rosewood pARK

Trinity / Houston Gardens Asthma

11.3%

9%

Area Average

Houston Average

1-73 YRS

Obesity

4

41.5% 30.8% Area Average

2

Houston Average 1 3

Life Expectancy 1 - 73 Years 74 - 78 Years 79 - 82 Years 82 - 89 Years

Rosewood park

Trinity / Houston Gardens Park Amenities

Project Information Rosewood Park is a community park approximately the same size of Levy Park. It is located in the Trinity / Houston Gardens area in Northeast Houston. It was aquired by the City of Houston in 1956. It is bound by Bywood Street to the North, Darien Street to the West, S. Hall Street to the South, & Leben Street to the East. The park is primarily surrounded by single family homes. The park is very open and scattered with trees. There are various amenities at the park, however the park lacks permanent restroom facilities. There are a few portable restrooms at the corners of the site.

ACHIEVING PARK EQUITY

Source: Houston Chronicle, Bloomberg

“Parks and greenspace support public health and well-being—and the pandemic has only heightened this,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Our city is home to hundreds of parks, and they are key to creating complete communities and ȯȲȌɈƵƧɈǞȁǐ ȲƵȺǞƮƵȁɈȺ ƮɐȲǞȁǐ ȌɐȲ ƵɮɈȲƵǿƵ ˜ȌȌƮȺ‫ خ‬àƵ continue to make equitable investments in our neighborhood parks to ensure these spaces are welcoming, safe, and uplift the quality of life for our residents across the city.”

-2020 Menino Survey of Mayors Report on Urban Parks and the Public Realm

ACHIEVING PARK EQUITY

Policy Recommendations

Re-allocate Funding

Engage Community

Achieving park equity in Houston begins with a change in policy. Currently, there is no equity lense through which park improvement decisions are being made.

This must change.

Bringing a change to policy will have a direct impact on funding; including what areas get funded and how those decisions are being made.

Lastly, it is important to engage the community in the process of park design to make sure everyone’s needs and desires are met.

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TIRZ Our research has shown that the ɩƵƊǶɈǘǞƵȺɈ ƊȲƵƊȺ Ǟȁ RȌɐȺɈȌȁ ƦƵȁƵ˛Ɉ from TIRZ, which has created an even bigger gap in park inequity. We propose that all TIRZ should return 5-10% to city funding for public park use, prioritized for those parks with the greatest need.

City Ordinance Chp 42

Source: https://h-town-visually.blogspot.com/2013/01/johnny-goyen-park-at-uhd-on-buffalo.html

Currently, the Houston City Ordinance Chp 42 states that money in the park dedication fund shall not be used for maintenance. We propose adding an incentive that allows for park maintenance & improvement through new development funds, which would be prioritized for parks with the greatest need.

RE-ALLOCATE FUNDING Criteria for Fund Allocation, based on Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s 20 Year Neighborhod Park Plan

Poverty

Condition of Park Assets

Population Density

Youth Population

Lifespan of Park Assets

Crime Statistics

engage community Communicate Effectively The right questions must be asked in order to understand a community’s needs and desires. What parks need improvement? What do visitors want/need to make a park safe/useful? Where should money be spent? Who will the park serve?

These are all questions that need to be asked in order to communicate effectively and really understand the community.

Engage in Park Design Communities must be engaged in park design. In order to appeal to a wider audience, it is important to provide a variety of platforms such as in-person and online, open houses and one-on-one interviews, on-site activation and more.

Temporary Amenities

Source: https://parkpeople.ca/resources/en/resource/20432/7-key-insights-on-reimagining-public-engagement-in-parks-and-public-spaces%22

Each community has different needs. A way to test out what a community may need is by installing temporary amenities such as a pop-up bicycle clinic.

“

Policy Recommendations

Re-allocate Funding

Engage Community

Achieving park equity in Houston begins with a change in policy. Currently, there is no equity lense through which park improvement decisions are being made.

This must change.

Bringing a change to policy will have a direct impact on funding; including what areas get funded and how those decisions are being made.

Lastly, it is important to engage the community in the process of park design to make sure everyone’s needs and desires are met.

“Houston parks have a history of being built for the privileged.”

-Heather Leighton, Kinder Institute for Urban Research

IT’S TIME TO CHANGE THAT.