Texas House Bill 1 of the 84th Session of the State Legislature included a $1.5 million appropriation rider for Houston’s Emancipation Park through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Urban Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. The Program requires Houston submit a completed grant application to TPWD to receive the funds. There is no match required from the City.
Emancipation Park is undergoing a complete renovation funded by the City of Houston, OST/Almeda Corridors TIRZ #7, and various grants secured by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD). These include grants from the Houston Endowment, Kinder Foundation, the Timken Foundation and a previous TPWD grant award.
Facilities under renovation include the community center building, pool and pool house, baseball/softball field, outdoor basketball court and tennis courts. New facilities under development include parking, walking trail, entry plaza, recreation center and a playground.
The proposed new grant application is to fund a Ceremonial Gateway that will serve as a gathering space and main point of entry for Emancipation Park, and four corner monuments honoring the four founders of the park: Richard Brock, Richard Allen, Reverend Elias Dribble and Reverend Jack Yates. Grant funds will also be used to acquire land adjacent to the park for future expansion.
Council approval is recommended.