A Houston resident since the eighth grade, Doreen Stoller has always been fascinated with the diversity of the Bayou City. Now, as the president and CEO of Hermann Park Conservancy, she’s on a mission to celebrate and showcase it with a series of exciting new additions coming to the area in early 2024.

“People from all across the Houston region use the park and the diversity of our park users matches the diversity of the city of Houston,” Stoller says. “This is the place where everybody comes together united by joy. There are so few places now where we can all find common ground and, literally, we’re finding common ground here.”

The conservancy is gearing up to conclude the first phase of its ambitious plan to revitalize the park, which includes renovating a 26-acre corner adjacent to the Memorial Hermann Hospital called the Commons. This extensive development, stretching from the Houston Zoo to Cambridge Street, will introduce a host of accessible and sustainable amenities designed to cater to visitors of all backgrounds and abilities.

Among the highlights of this project are plans for exciting play areas 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 that promises to bring joy to visitors of all ages. Most of the children’s spaces are wheelchair accessible, and they also account for those with neurological disabilities by providing sensory experiences for them.

Numerous other amenities will grace the Commons, including a welcoming entrance garden, a walk-up cafe where visitors can buy snacks and beverages, a serene beer garden, a fishing deck located by McGovern Lake, and gender-specific, as well as all-gender, restroom facilities to accommodate all visitors.

The development’s convenient location near the Texas Medical Center hopes to draw in medical professionals to enjoy moments of respite in the midst of their demanding schedules. Stoller says the coronavirus pandemic inspired her to create an avenue for people, especially health workers, to care for their mental health by utilizing nature.

“We’re trying to encourage people who work in the medical center to just come over and take a 15-minute, 20-minute stroll,” Stoller says. “Just looking at nature helps with the healing process. Frontline health care workers and people under stress can just come across the street in a few minutes and take it in.”

To facilitate access for visitors, the conservancy is actively working with Winpark to have their app allow park-goers reserve a spot in the Memorial Hermann parking garage during the weekends for a $10 fee.

Stoller explains that the conservancy has followed eco-conscious practices throughout the project, including the design team meticulously planning sustainable landscaping and water management. One such innovation is the creation of a wetlands garden that will not only beautify the area but also act as a natural water filtration system, cleansing water before it returns to the park’s irrigation system.

As the project nears its anticipated debut in March 2024, there will be some adjustments to access. In the initial month following the expansion’s opening, guests will be required to reserve a spot for attendance. This precautionary measure is in response to the expected surge in foot traffic as eager visitors flock to explore the new amenities and attractions. The reservation system aims to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all, while also managing the park’s capacity responsibly.