One of the most significant advantages of living in Texas, particularly in Houston, is the availability of opportunities for outdoor recreation. In terms of the park and outdoor space, Houston boasts an impressive amount of options - a total of 52,912 acres of total park space! People who live in Houston may make use of a wide variety of parks, including water parks and dog parks.
Spending time outside is very much at the top of our daily to-do list, and we're always moving from one activity to the next, whether it's to the local splash pad or to a park with plenty of trails for bicycling. Overall, sitting indoors all day is not an option since we would all go insane from boredom!
With summer and the scorching sun upon us, I've been more cognizant of which locations provide some shade so that we can still enjoy being outside while still beating the heat... Even if it's only for a few minutes, it's worth it. In Houston, there are a number of wonderful parks that provide at least a moderate respite from the sweltering summer temperatures.
Memorial Park
This one is also a favorite among runners because of the abundance of water stations that are strategically positioned along the course and enough illumination. It is one of the safest areas to run since there are always a large number of people out jogging at any given hour of the day or night. There are also tennis courts, a golf course, and a swimming pool if you want to combine your running with something else while visiting this park.
Buffalo Bayou Park
This park offers a wonderful combination of natural beauty and urban attractions. It is possible to run along a river, the Buffalo Bayou, and enjoy a great view of the Houston cityscape from the park. You will never get bored when running in this park since you can change up the trails in any manner you choose, and there are even bridges to make your run a little more thrilling. The running paths are well-maintained and well-lit, and the large number of running events organized in this park demonstrates the area's popularity among the running community.
Hermann Park
Running is only one of many activities available in Hermann Park, which includes a variety of other sports. The Houston Zoo, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Miller Outdoor Theatre, and the Hermann Park Golf Course are just a few of the attractions in this park, which makes it a wonderful destination for anyone looking for more than simply a place to run or walk. If you're going to the park with other individuals who aren't interested in jogging, such as your children, Hermann Park offers much to offer them as well.
Pumpkin Park (River Oaks Park)
In the heart of River Oaks Park, popularly known as Pumpkin Park, lies a magical world right out of a novel. In addition to Cinderella's pumpkin carriage, you'll discover various sports courts, a small walk and bike track, and the park's other distinguishing feature: a series of wishing trees where you may write your wishes on a sheet of paper and pin them to the branches - great for making a dream come true.
Meyer Park
Meyer Park's pathways wind their way through the park, passing various playing fields, two distinct playgrounds, a fishing lake and duck pond, as well as picnic spaces, and are ideal for young children learning to ride their bikes. Meyer Park also has a skate park and a skating rink. The pathways are also lined with seats where you can take a break, and the squirrels have become so accustomed to seeing pleasant people that they have no issue approaching you and saying hello.
Rob Fleming Park
Rob Fleming Park is located in The Woodlands, which is well-known for its magnificent trees, thus it should come as no surprise that it is included on our list. A pavilion with a fireplace, a field that is carpeted with bluebonnets in the spring, fishing, a butterfly garden, and tree grove, and playgrounds for both younger and older children are all available in the park.
For those visiting during the hotter months, bring your swimsuit and walk over to the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center, which features an indoor pool, an interactive play area with a two-story flume slide, and a lazy river that extends 500 feet.
Jerry Matheson Park
The enormous, wooden, interactive playground in Jerry Matheson Park is the park's biggest feature, and it pays homage to days gone by when wooden play structures were commonplace. Two portions of the playground area are dedicated to older children: a toddler area, which includes a sandbox and shaded seats for parents and caregivers to keep a close watch on the tiny ones, and a neighboring space for larger children to play. Aside from that, there are picnic tables, a covered pavilion, a pee-wee baseball diamond, tennis courts, and a swimming pool on the grounds.
Russ Pitman Park
Russ Pitman Park, located on the grounds of Bellaire's Nature Discovery Center, is one of our favorite natural areas. There is a playground with both playground equipment and sandpits, walking routes that weave through the woods, learning stations, picnic spaces, a sensory garden, and the Critter Classroom, all of which promise a delightful morning for both children and adults.
Terry Hershey Park
Since I was a child, Terry Hershey Park has been a favorite place for me to go jogging because its broad paths wind through the woods, transporting me out of the city without actually leaving it. Now that I have children, Terry Hershey Park has become a favorite place for them to play, too. Upon entering, there's a small playground, and the main paved paths are ideal for bicycling, hiking, and seeing the many wildlife that comes out to play along the route.
Mary Jo Peckham Park
Mary Jo Peckham Park has something for everyone, including a playground with areas for both older children and toddlers, a stocked fishing pond, miniature golf, indoor fitness, an aquatic center, a large picnic area with a barbecue pit, a tropical fish pond, and a dirt trail that wraps around the lake. You should remember to carry bread for the ducks when you visit them and be prepared for them to come running up to you as soon as you start tossing bread crumbs their way.
Challenger Seven Memorial Park
The three playground areas in this large park are all shaded by man-made structures, which is ideal for keeping cool on hot summer days. In the surrounding area, picnic tables with large shade trees overhead, as well as covered pavilions, are available for use. It is possible to fish from the elevated platforms that are built over marshy regions that are sheltered by a canopy of trees, and the ends of each pier have shaded seating areas where you may relax after a day of fishing.
Hermann Park - Central Houston
The vast majority (if not all) of Hermann Park is in direct sunlight (Miller Hill has exactly zero shading), but there are numerous shaded areas surrounding the lake where you can engage in activities like people-watching, and playing ball, flying a kite, and much more. As a family, we have enjoyed several days of picnics under the incredible shade trees in the center of the park, between McGovern Lake and Miller Outdoor Theater, where there are numerous tiny sets of swings for the children to enjoy.
Conclusion
Houston has a variety of areas where you may go running. These are just a few examples of the best picnic spots in Houston. When you live in Houston, running may be a really delightful and enjoyable activity. If you are planning to relocate to Houston in the near future, you should read the Bellhops city guide to gain a better sense of the area.
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