Don Greene Nature Park — Attraction in Houston

This little pocket park is a sanctuary amid a mixed neighborhood of residential and light industrial homes and businesses on the outskirts of Bellaire and just south of Bayland Park.

While off the beaten track, wholly incongruous at first glance, and seemingly completely out of context, dare to seek it out. It's safe. Like all city and county parks, it's regularly patrolled and also watched over by proud neighbors.

Dare to get out of your car. Open yourself to nature where you'd least expect to find it. Explore, learn, and experience. You will be surprised and blessed by the joy and happiness that only contact with nature can offer.

Friends of Don Green, an avid canoeist, guide, and outdoorsman, have created a marvelous gift in his memory by keeping his enthusiasm for the great outdoors alive in this little pocket park.

DGNP is located on two lots where his boyhood home, subsequent canoe rental, outfitting and river guide business were located. Harris County, who now owns and maintains the park, along with DGNP friends and volunteers have cleared and cleaned the space.

The park is now being intentionally restored with native plants from the prairies and wetlands that once thrived in this region before development and urban sprawl. The good news is native plants, carefully selected and cultivated, are thriving again. So too might your spirits by taking a meditative stroll through this tiny wildscape.

Highly...

At first this tiny natural oasis on a modest residential street doesn't look like much. You'll see some trees and grasses, but you might think it isn't worth walking inside. But take another look. It's shady and cool. The various native grasses are pretty and graceful. In summer you're likely to see butterflies and dragonflies. When we visited, the little stone water feature / pond was full of tadpoles. There is a pleasant gazebo, and several benches. Local boy scouts periodically adding native plants and make other improvements to the park. It's a peaceful place where you can reflect and just be outdoors in a...

I'm a long term resident in this neighborhood and love that Don Greene gave a us such a lovely gift. I'm a registered nurse and use this park for teaching and healing. Wishing there were more Don Greene's and friends of Don Greene and in the world. So grateful for a shady, tranquil spot of nature tucked surprisingly in a much needed area. Makes me love my...