This small but mighty park in the heart of Midtown Houston features interactive play structures, a splash pad, a natural garden walk, a hilly landscape, a dog park, a 16-foot floral mural, and tons of opportunities to interact with nature in the shade of native plants.
A former vacant spot along Houston's METRORail line was turned into an urban park several years ago, with an official opening in 2017. A reclaimed green space since then has been serving as a hub for the community to gather, play, and recharge.
There are several play areas for kids. A fenced space includes a sensory rock garden, a climbing sphere, and an interactive multi-level rock structure. A set of pretty impressive large swings sit just outside the fence. The stroller parking is available, which was a nice bonus to utilize.
My 18-month-old couldn't get enough of a rock play area. That's where we spent most of our time. The rest of the playground equipment seems more suitable for older kids.
Bayou Native Landscape
A nature walk weaves in and out of a play area. You can get up close and personal with the local plants and learn a thing or two about the freshwater wetlands and bottomland hardwood forest. This area provides a habitat for the local wildlife, helps to control erosion, and enhances the quality of water.
A small water runnel and waterfalls are other cool features that use flowing water to bring a sense of peace and calm in the midst of urban life.
Rock Garden
My toddler immediately made a beeline for this area of the park. With a
few ground rules on how to safely play with the rocks (no throwing or putting them in his mouth), he couldn't
get enough of them. After stacking, building, and
lining rocks up, we let them go down the pipes for hours to our heart's content. With a canopy providing a much-needed shade, we enjoyed this sensory-rich pocket of the park.
We had so much time simply examine and stacking them up too.
During our visit in early April, we were treated to the sight of the
giant fragrant Irises in their peak bloom. One of my favorite things
about Houston is that, regardless of the season, there are so many
flowering plants all around you. All you have to do is simply stop and
appreciate their beauty.
Parking
If you don't want to park along the streets, there's also an underground parking available on site. We visited the park on a weekday, early in the afternoon, so the rate was $1 an hour. Parking rates can vary depending on the time and day of your visit.
Midtown Park
Where: 2811 Travis St, Houston, TX 77006
Admission: Free
Hours: Open daily from 8am – 10pm
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