Start Date
05/08/2024
End Date
05/08/2024
Description
Designed by Marlon Blackwell and landscape architects Michael Van Valkenburgh the 26-acre oasis is situated between the Houston Zoo and the Texas Medical Center, bordered by Cambridge, Fannin and Main St. After undergoing an extensive two-year renovation, an under-utilized portion of the park has been transformed into a natural entry point for Hermann Park. Park highlights include a two-acre play area for children, including a towering 40-foot rocket ship slide, a snake den for adventurous explorers, a toad hollow for nature enthusiasts, and a whimsical carousel. Other amenities include a walk-up café, a rustic fishing pier and water areas. The Commons also features several eco-conscious practices including sustainable landscaping and water management, preserving existing trees and improving the soil by planting cover crops and native grasses. The newly created wetlands garden not only supports wildlife but also acts as a natural water filtration system, cleansing water before returning to the park's irrigation system. Doreen Stoller, Hermann Park Conservancy President and CEO, will lead the tour.
Location
Houston, TX
Distance Learning
No
Course Equivalency
No
Subjects
Parks & Recreation
Health, Safety and Welfare
Yes
Hours
1.50
Learning Outcomes
Learning Objective 1:
Doreen Stoller will describe Hermann Park Conservancy master plan, which was updated by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, and vision over the next 20 years with a concentration on the first phase of that plan – The Commons.
Learning Objective 2:
Stoller will list the sustainable landscaping features including water management, preserving existing trees and improving soil by using cover crops.
Learning Objective 3:
Stoller will share how community feedback played an important role in developing The Commons concept and it’s larger role with helping to attracted the community to underutilized areas of the park.
Learning Objective 4:
Stoller will generalize the recreational and historical features of the park that have been added too or improved. For example, Hermann Park’s iconic Space Rocket play feature returned which is a nod to Johnson Space Center. The architects also opted to renovate the park’s oldest structure, a 100-year-old picnic pavilion, and turning it into a central feature by adding more natural light, custom wooden tables and benches and food stations.
Learning Objective 5:
Discuss one of the major objectives of the master plan, in that the Park becomes an even more valuable place for all the citizens of Houston in the years ahead, contributing to the quality of life and serving as a place that unifies the community for all the years to come.
Learning Objective 6:
Discuss the restoration effort that provides more opportunities for people to connect with nature through natural habitats, an experiential Wetland Garden, a Stone Cove, and new plant and activity areas.
Instructors
Doreen Stoller, Hermann Park Conservancy President and CEO
Course Codes
Provider
AIA Houston