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Downtown Green Market at Discovery Green
Fresh fruits, vegetables and organic foods available each Thursday at the new downtown park
Houstonians seeking to supplement their Thursday afternoon happy hour have an exciting alternative in downtown Houston. Discovery Green, the urban park located across from the George R. Brown Convention Center, opened April 13, 2008. Houstonians and visitors to the city are enjoying 12 acres of urban green space including one-acre lake, children’s playground area, interactive water features, multi-use amphitheater stage and sloping lawn, small and large dog runs, various public art works, lawns and many special events and unique programs.
With its emphasis on healthy living, Discovery Green is proud to host a weekly organic urban market every Thursday afternoon from 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Managed by the Central City-Co-op, the urban market currently features up to 12 vendors weekly, showcasing their organically grown produce, fruits and eggs, peaches, blueberries, tomatoes and other produce from area farms offer a fresh alternative to Houstonians. Some of the area specialty items include gelato from Trentino Gelato; and pizza, pimento cheese, hummus and chocolate “whammies,” cookies baked by Janice Schindler’s Words and Food. Other vendors include Last Organic Outpost, Pat Greer's Kitchen, Shirley Ann’s Sweets & Treats, Pampered Sisters and Natural Living Organic Clothing & More. Vendors are arriving each week as the market matures to meet the demands of its growing customer base and special holiday gifts and treats will be featured in November and December.
The organizers of Central City Co-op offer many convenient features for shoppers including the ability to pre-order Central City’s produce offerings and to purchase with cash or credit card from any vendor at the market.
“The members of our co-op are committed to making the Downtown Green Market at Discovery Green a success,” said Carolyn Lambeth, Director of Operations for Central City Co-Op. “The variety of the produce and specialty items have been well-received by office workers and residents of downtown Houston.”
Ryan Pera, executive chef of The Grove, stops by each week to select tomatoes and seasonal fruit for the restaurant.
“I believe in using produce and fruits from local farmers and have found some of the freshest, organic produce at the Green Market at Discovery Green,” said Pera. “My pastry chef has worked his magic with the peaches and blueberries and our patrons have been very impressed with the tomatoes.”
Beginning on September 4, visitors to Discovery Green and the Green Market can relax and enjoy the Thursday Concerts on the Green presented by Capital One Bank. Some of Houston’s best bands take to the Anheuser-Busch Stage each Thursday in this free concert series.
Thursday Concerts on the Green presented by Capital One Bank
Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Free Admission
Anheuser-Busch Stage and Fondren Performance Space
This series features fun FREE family friendly shows every Thursday from September 4 to November 20, 2008. Free street parking begins at 6 pm and all concerts start promptly at 6:30 pm.
September 11 – Real Guitar Heroes, Starring Texas Johnny Brown and I.J. Gosey
Put down the video games and come see real guitar heroes in action! Texas Johnny Brown and I. J. Gosey showcase the guitar traditions they pioneered in the 1950s as Duke/Peacock session players. The concert honors the legacy of Rory Miggins and Local Charm.
September 18 – KPFT Presents Jambolism, a sudden mind blowing event involving horns. Brace yourself for the brass, lose yourself in the textures and find yourself in the rhythms of Jambolism.
September 25 – The Gourds
The Gourds bring their “kaleidoscopic-country sound” back to Discovery Green.
For more information on the Green Market, visit www.centralcityco-op.org/discoverygreen or call (713) 400-7336.
Discovery Green Conservancy
The Discovery Green Conservancy operates the park. It is a private, non-profit organization formed in 2004 at the behest of the City of Houston’s Mayor Bill White. The Conservancy was charged with designing and building an urban park on property across from the George R. Brown Convention Center. The $122 million park project is a unique public-private partnership between the non-profit Discovery Green Conservancy and the City of Houston.
Location
Discovery Green is located in downtown Houston, in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas. The park is just blocks away from Main Street, Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center.
Hours
Discovery Green is open every day from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Hours for events may vary. Areas of the park may be closed occasionally for maintenance or private events. Visitors may call 713-400-7336 or visit www.discoverygreen.com for additional information.
Parking
Several parking options, including metered, garage and surface lots, are available for park visitors. Streets on the park’s perimeter and nearby streets offer metered parking. Parking meter stations on each block accept credit cards and cash. Metered parking is in effect Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Rates vary.
Several nearby parking garages offer easy access to Discovery Green. The Convention District Garage is located under Discovery Green at 1002 Avenidas de las Americas. For daily and event pricing, call ahead to 800-427-4697 or 713-853-8000. Also, visit www.discoverygreen.com for more information about how to get to Discovery Green.
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