Buffalo Bayou is the main waterway
flowing through the city and has a
significant place in Texas history, not
only due to the founding place of
the City of Houston in 1836, but also
because the final battle for Texas
Independence was fought along its
banks. The 52-mile slow-moving
waterway, has become a destination for
outdoor recreation near downtown Houston. It remains in its natural state and contains an
incredibly diverse urban ecosystem supporting dozens of native species of flora and fauna.
Stretching from Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street between Allen Parkway and Memorial
Drive, the 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park is one of the country's great urban green spaces.
Here you will find spaces for hiking and biking as well as trails for kayaking/canoeing
among acres of wildflowers and prairies.
Market Square Park - Located in the original heart
of community Market Square once again the bustling
center of Houston's Historic District. is the place to be.
Market Square Park is at long last being reclaimed as the
bustling center of downtown Houston's Historic District.
The new park is a true neighborhood space, anchored
by a central lawn where more than one City Hall once
stood. A crescent-shaped dog run on the park's west
side gives the canine contingent an attractive and active
place to let loose. A beautifully lit fence and walkway arc
through the park and provides insight to the history of
the area. And if you're hungry, check out Houston classic
Niko Niko's, where you'll find delightfully shady, outdoor
seating, a plaza for performances and classic Greek
and American favorites. Special events such as movie
screening and blanket bingo bring out the masses.
Take a quiet moment in Lauren's Garden, a memorial
that honors Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas—a passenger
on United Flight 93. With its flowing water, beautiful
sculpture, seasonal flowers and leafy trees, the garden
memorializes all lost on September 11.
