How the park got its name…

When the Conservancy's leadership was faced with determining the name and identity of the new park, the first order of business was to make certain that it captured the true essence of the space they intended to create. The Conservancy sought to ensure the name would reflect the spirit of the people whom it would soon serve. 

Working in tandem with the local media and community sponsors, the Conservancy sought the help of the public by creating a contest to name the park.

The response was overwhelming: more than 6,200 entries were submitted, and a theme soon emerged. Houstonians wanted a name that was distinctive and unusual, including elements that mirrored Houston itself. Words such as "surprising," "unexpected" and "vital" were reoccurring.

But how to sift through 6,200 names to find the right one?  Several times during the design process the Conservancy hosted interested community leaders, stakeholders and supporters to ask for input. The Conservancy also shared a cross section of the entries to see if the brand personally “held up” to the scrutiny of the focus group. The group confirmed the Conservancy was on right on track. When "Discovery Green" was submitted for the name, it became the obvious first choice. It fit the personality of the park, in that it invited discovery and education, delight and surprise. Perfect.

The Inspiration Behind the Name “Discovery Green”

Making the final decision of the name of Houston’s new park was easier than the Conservancy expected.   At the end of the review process there was no other submissions that better captured the intrigue, magic and promise of the park. Houstonian Kim Borja was the author of the name. A father of two sons, Borja marveled at the moments of discovery enjoyed during his family's frequent visits to neighborhood parks. These memories helped inspire the name "Discovery Green."  

Borja wanted his entry to be original - something other than “park” in the name. “Green,” seemed the paramount solution and the Conservancy was delighted. Discovery Green reflected their vision of the space as green, active, vibrant and capturing Houston's spirit.

How the park got its Icon…

The next challenge was to create an icon that captured Discovery Green's essence. The Conservancy wanted the icon to reflect the park's contemporary design and personality. Several different icons were developed, and the Conservancy chose the blue and green icon now represented in the logo. The icon was designed with the park's water features in mind, but the abstract form of the design invites viewers to come to their own conclusions about what it represents.

But why the color red for the word green? Applying the universal language of color, red stands for vitality and energy. Because it is the color of that which flows through our veins, it's recognized as the color of life itself, a critical element to any park. The use of red is unexpected. Like Discovery Green, like Houston for that matter, it's unique – a little adventurous, a little magical, a little unusual and quite a bit of a surprise.