Discovery Green Conservancy

Outdoor Ice Skating Debuts at Discovery Green

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Another family-friendly offering at the downtown park November 27, 2008 - January 19, 2009 Outdoor ice skating makes a welcome return to downtown Houston with The Ice at Discovery Green, Holiday Skating on the Lake, presented by the Houston Chronicle. Sure to be a favorite holiday destination, the ice rink opens Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2008 and runs through Martin Luther King Day, January 19, 2009. The Ice at Discovery Green will span 7,200 square feet of the model boat basin on Kinder Lake, hold 6,000-gallons of water, and measure a cool 22 degrees. The skating experience will also include a toddler ice rink, skate shop, snack shop and gift shop, in addition to private skating instruction, special performances by regional figure skating stars; jazz music, film and DJ nights; and skating with Santa. Other activities at the 12-acre Discovery Green include a children’s playground area, interactive water features, multi-use amphitheater stage and sloping lawn, small and...

Discovery Green Fall Programming Schedule

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:00:00 GMT

September 1 – November 26, 2008 Live music, diverse cultural programs and ice skating highlight the fall activities at the downtown park Discovery Green has been a popular destination with Houstonians and visitors to the city since its official opening on April 13, 2008. Located in downtown Houston across from the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green is 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, and two restaurants, the Grove and Lake House operated by Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group. In addition to the relaxing setting, visitors to the park can enjoy a tremendous variety of activities and special events. During the inaugural spring season, 172 events drew more than 77,000 people to the park for free weekly exercise classes, live music concerts, outdoor films, organic Green Market, Saturday children’s programs, monthly art...

DockDogs Made Successful Local Debut at Discovery Green Houstons New Downtown Park

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:00:00 GMT

DockDogs® Made Successful Local Debut at Discovery Green Houston’s New Downtown Park Exciting national event was popular with dog lovers and competitors in Houston June 27-29 HOUSTON – JULY 2, 2008 – Houston, well-known for its enthusiastic sports fans, embraced another exciting athletic event as DockDogs®made its Houston debut at Discovery Green, Houston’s newest park located across from the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The non-stop action began on Friday, June 27 and attracted over 140 canines competing in distance and aerial events throughout the weekend. Seen on ESPN and the Outdoor Channel, DockDogs®showcases retrievers running from a 20-foot dock and leaping into the 40-foot pool of water. Each jump is measured and the crowds go wild as some of the dogs maintain jumps of 22-24 feet as they compete in Extreme Vertical, Speed Retrieve and Big Air events. Despite temperatures in the 90’s, over 6,000 spectators passed through Discovery Green...

Downtown Green Market at Discovery Green

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON – MAY 13, 2008 – 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 afternoonfrom 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...

Diverse Programming Set for Spring & Summer at Discovery Green

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Free activities and unique cultural programs highlight the inaugural season of the new downtown park (HOUSTON – April 10, 2008) The much-anticipated new downtown park – Discovery Green – will open on April 13, 2008. Houstonians and visitors to the city will enjoy 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 lots of great food from the park’s restaurants operated by Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group. The Spring Program Calendar will run April 13 through July 6. Family Day is the first event set for the inaugural Discovery Green programming season, with the following series developed to offer activities and programs for Houstonians and visitors of all ages:. Art Series – Houston’s reputation as a world-class fine arts destination extends to the Discovery Green Art Series with a full slate of visual,...

Discovery Green - Houstons New Urban Park - Opens April 2008

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Discovery Green – Houston’s New Urban Park – Opens April 2008 Downtown location offers Majestic Skyline view, Beautiful Gardens, Green Preservation and Diverse Cultural Programming Family Day Celebration Set for April 13, 2008 (HOUSTON – February 27, 2008) Discovery Green, a 12-acre park located in downtown Houston, will open to the public on April 13, 2008. The long-awaited destination fulfills a commitment from Mayor Bill White and major private Houston foundations to create and preserve green space within Houston’s central city. With its proximity to the George R. Brown Convention Center, Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center, Discovery Green is an ideal location for the city’s newest attraction. Discovery Green will be a wonderful attraction for our city, said Mayor Bill White. We are proud of the commitment from the Discovery Green Conservancy in creating this unique destination in the heart of downtown Houston. For a long time to come, Discovery Green will be...

Concert to Salute Robert Doc Morgan

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:00:00 GMT

One for Doc Concert to Salute Robert Doc Morgan Concert is the First Public Event at the New Downtown Park HOUSTON, TX (January 31, 2008) – Saturday, March 1 will be a memorable day for Dr. Robert Morgan, Director of Jazz Studies Emeritus, High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). HSPVA and Morgan will be honored during a free concert at Discovery Green featuring some of the school’s most accomplished former students. The event, entitled One for Doc is a preview of the new downtown park, which opens in early April, 2008 and is located in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center. The Discovery Green Conservancy places a high regard on education, the performing arts and other cultural endeavors in Houston. Dr. Robert Morgan and High School for Performing and Visual Arts were selected as honorees for the preview event. Discovery Greens mission includes highlighting the amazing range of artistic talent we have in Houston with a special focus on education, said Guy...

One for Doc Concert Planned as Park Preview Event - March 1, 2008

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:00:00 GMT

Featuring Al Jarreau, La Mafia, Scott Gertner and more! Houston -- January 22, 2008 -- Houstonians are invited to preview Discovery Green, Houston’s newest urban park, for a spectacular evening of music on Saturday, March 1, 2008. The park will host a free concert honoring the High School for Performing and Visual Arts and Dr. Robert Morgan, Director of Jazz Studies Emeritus, HSPVA. Morgan will be joined by a talented group of HSPVA alumni performing in the beautiful outdoor amphitheater at Discovery Green. What ‘One for Doc’ Discovery Green’s Park Preview Concert When Saturday, March 1, 2008 6:00 pm. -- 11:00 p.m. (The park will open at 4:00 p.m. on the day of the event.) Where Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney in Downtown Houston, located across Avenida de las Americas from the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas Hotel. Performers Many performers were former students of Dr. Robert Morgan, Director of Jazz Studies, Emeritus, HSPVA, who served...

Discovery Green Conservancy Announces Several New Appointments

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:15:00 GMT

Discovery Green Conservancy Announces
Several New Appointments

HOUSTON, TX (October 2, 2007) – Following the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Discovery Green Conservancy, a private non-profit created to develop and operate the downtown park, the Conservancy announced several new appointments:

Tom Castro was elected to the Board of Directors of the Conservancy effective July 1, 2007, to serve a term of three years. Castro is Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Border Media Partners (BMP), the largest privately-held Hispanic radio company in the U.S. Castro joins board members Nancy G. Kinder, Kinder Foundation, Chair; Brady F. Carruth, The Wortham Foundation; Dr. Larry R. Faulkner, Houston Endowment Inc.; Jacqueline S. Martin, JS Martin Associates, LP; and Dr. Maconda B. O’Connor, The Brown Foundation, Inc.

Bob Eury was appointed Ex-Officio Board Director of the Conservancy effective July 1, 2007, to serve at the pleasure of the Conservancy Board. Eury currently serves as President of Central Houston, Inc. and Executive Director of the Houston Downtown Management District.

Guy Hagstette was appointed President of the Conservancy effective July 1, 2007. Hagstette was previously appointed as Park Director in September 2005, after working with Mayor Bill White as a Special Assistant for Urban Design and, at the same time, serving as Director of Planning & Development for the Houston Downtown Management District.

###

About the Discovery Green Conservancy
The Discovery Green Conservancy is a private, non-profit corporation formed to purchase the land, design, build, and operate an urban park on property located across the street from the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The Conservancy and Mayor Bill White announced the 11.78-acre park development in October 2004, and acquisition of the land was concluded in December 2004. The $122 million park project is expected to be complete in early 2008.

Gift from BP America to Discovery Green Focuses on Solar Technology

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, TX (September 13, 2007) – The Discovery Green Conservancy announced today $1 million of support and a solar utility vehicle (SUV) from BP America, contributing significantly toward sustainable building and energy efficiency features for the new downtown Houston park set to open in early 2008. Commenting on the donation, Discovery Green Conservancy President Guy Hagstette said, This gift certainly positions Discovery Green to achieve our green building goals and overall commitment to sustainability. We are pleased that BP has given us the opportunity to contribute to these efforts. Said Bob Malone, Chairman and President of BP America: All of us at BP America are pleased that our contribution will help make Discovery Green energy efficient and sustainable ensuring that Houstonians enjoy this park for decades to come. We are so proud to be a part of this project. This contribution emphasizes BP’s commitment to the advancement of solar technology. Specifically, the award...

Houston Arts Veteran Susanne Theis Joins Discovery Green

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, TX (July 3, 2007) – The Discovery Green Conservancy announced today the addition of Susanne Theis, currently executive director of The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, as programming director for the new downtown Houston park set to open in early 2008. Commenting on the selection of Theis, Discovery Green Conservancy President Guy Hagstette said, “Susanne’s work for The Orange Show and the Art Car Parade has captured the hearts of Houstonians and the spirit of our city. We are excited that she will now focus her creative energy on bringing what is best about Houston to Discovery Green.” Theis will join the Conservancy this summer while simultaneously working with The Orange Show as it transitions to new leadership. Theis has been an integral part of the Houston arts scene for more than 25 years. She was instrumental in the development and success of the Art Car Parade, the Eye Opener Tour and other Orange Show Programs. She is a published...

Jean Dubuffet's Monument Au Fantome to Move to Discovery Green

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, TX (July 2, 2007) – Renowned French painter and sculptor Jean Dubuffet’s (1901-1985) “Monument Au Fantome” will find a new home at Houston’s downtown park, Discovery Green. The distinctive and privately-owned sculpture was donated by Fantome Tower L.P., the owner of the downtown office building at 1100 Louisiana, to the Discovery Green Conservancy, a gift valued at well over $1,000,000. The seven-piece black, red, white and blue sculpture will move from its current location at 1100 Louisiana to undergo conservation work. In late 2007, the sculpture will be moved to Discovery Green and will be available for all to enjoy upon the opening of the park in early 2008. According to Nancy G. Kinder, Chair of the Discovery Green Conservancy, “We are so pleased that Fantome Tower L.P. chose to keep this invaluable piece of art in Houston and selected Discovery Green as the recipient. This donation will ensure that Houstonians and all visitors...

Downtown developer donates trees in preparation for new apartment tower

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 22:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, TX - November 18, 2006 - Marvy Finger and the Finger Companies, Discovery Green and Harris County Pct. 3 Commissioner Steve Radack want to keep Houston green by relocating trees from the downtown block that Finger is developing as One Park Place, a 37-story luxury apartment building, adjacent to Discovery Green, the new downtown park. The Finger Companies’ offer to donate the trees currently on the property, in preparation for a January groundbreaking, was accepted by Discovery Green and Commissioner Radack who are each paying relocation costs. “It is wonderful that these trees are being moved,” states Kathy Lord, president of Trees for Houston. “It is really important to preserve the canopy of tress downtown. It helps with air quality and overall quality of life. I also commend Commissioner Radack for making certain that as many trees as possible find a home. This is exactly the type of public private partnership we need in Houston”...

Discovery Green debuts at Groundbreaking Ceremony

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, TX – October 17, 2006 – With much fanfare and an “explosion” of dirt, Mayor Bill White and the board of the Houston Downtown Park Conservancy broke ground today on the construction of a new 12-acre downtown park. The groundbreaking occurred only moments after the Conservancy Board announced the official name of the park as “Discovery Green.” The new name was one of more than 6,200 submissions received by the Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) organization that is responsible for building and operating the park. According to Conservancy Board Chair Nancy G. Kinder, “Over the past two years we have been asking Houstonians for input – from activities to design. Once we had public input on the design it made sense to ask the public to help select the name for the new park as well.” “Discovery Green will be a premiere urban park – on par with many other great urban parks found in the world’s leading...

Houston's New Downtown Park Needs a Name

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 17:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, TX – August 15, 2006 – Calling all Houstonians and park lovers! Downtown Houston’s new backyard will be unveiled in early 2008 and the Houston Downtown Park Conservancy (Conservancy) needs your help to name it! The “Name the Park” contest will kick-off August 21, 2006, and entries will be accepted through 5 p.m. on September 18, 2006. The official name for the downtown park will be unveiled at the park Groundbreaking Ceremony October 16, 2006. “Tapping the public to name the downtown park was a natural decision by the Conservancy,” said Nancy G. Kinder, Chair, Houston Downtown Park Conservancy. “The interest and excitement during our public input phase in 2005 was instrumental in helping us design a truly urban park that will be utilized by all Houstonians.” The Conservancy is seeking a name that best reflects the spirit and uniqueness of the new downtown park and, among other qualities, represents...

Official Design of Houston's Downtown Park Unveiled at Public Meeting

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Tue, 09 May 2006 16:00:00 GMT

CALENDAR LISTING WHAT: The Houston Downtown Park Conservancy will present the official design for Houston’s new downtown park at a public meeting on May 9, 2006. The design team of Hargreaves, PageSoutherlandPage and Lauren Griffith Associates incorporated aspects to the park design based on public feedback received last year. Some of the Park amenities include: ° Full-service restaurant/bar ° Casual restaurant/café ° “Great Lawn” ° Multiuse amphitheater ° Promenade/festival plaza ° Pond ° Jogging trail ° Children’s playground ° Dog run areas Design plans for the underground parking garage to be located below the park site will also be presented....

Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group Chosen to Operate Two Restaurants for the Downtown Park

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 16:15:00 GMT

HOUSTON, TX – April 26, 2006 – The Houston Downtown Park Conservancy today announced that Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group will join the Conservancy in operate two restaurants and oversee other food and beverage venues in the new downtown park – an almost 12-acre green space scheduled to open in late 2007 adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group has built a national culinary reputation at Cafe Annie and the less formal Bar Annie. They were also forerunners in the “fast casual” arena with Cafe Express and Taco Milagro. At the park, the group will create and operate a signature destination restaurant, as well as a casual, self-serve lakeside concept. “Schiller Del Grande’s ideas for both restaurants captured our imagination and are a perfect fit for the Conservancy’s vision of the park,” said Nancy Kinder, Houston Downtown Park Conservancy Board Chair. “We...

Houston City Council Approves Plan to Build Garage Beneath Site of New 11.8-Acre Downtown Park

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 18:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, Texas, January 11, 2006 – Houston City Council today approved an agreement to finance and build an approximately 630-car underground parking garage directly across from the George R. Brown Convention Center, below the future site of an 11.8-acre downtown park. The garage will serve the convention center, the park, as well as other public parking needs in the area. It will offset the combined capacity of the two existing lots that will be demolished at the location. As approved by City Council, $21.5 million was appropriated from the Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department and agreements were approved between the City, the Houston Downtown Park Conservancy and the Houston Downtown Park Corporation to facilitate the design and construction of the garage. “It is prudent to have the design and construction of the parking garage and the design and construction of the park managed by one entity to control costs and manage...

Design Concepts for Houston's Downtown Park to be Presented at Public Meeting

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 17:00:00 GMT

CALENDAR LISTING WHAT: The Houston Downtown Park Conservancy will share initial design concepts for Houston’s new downtown park at a public meeting on November 2. The design team of Hargreaves, PageSoutherlandPage and Lauren Griffith Associates is preparing initial design concepts based on the public feedback received earlier this year and incorporated into the Downtown Park’s Site Activity Plan. This is one of several public meetings that will provide opportunities for Houstonians to review and provide input on the park’s design. The Houston Downtown Park Conservancy and Mayor Bill White announced the almost 12-acre park development in October 2004, and acquisition of the land was concluded in December, 2004. The park site is made up of Blocks 124, 125, 249 (the “superblock” in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center), Block 127 which extends to the west of the superblock, and the Crawford Street right of way between Lamar and...

The Houston Downtown Park Conservancy Previews Preliminary Design Concepts with Mayor White

noemail@discoverygreen.com — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 17:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, TX – October 12, 2005 – Today, the Houston Downtown Park Conservancy shared preliminary design ideas for Houston’s new downtown park with Mayor Bill White. The preliminary design concepts were prepared using public feedback received earlier this year outlining features that Houstonians felt would enhance our city. In addition to previewing these preliminary ideas with Mayor White, the design team of Hargreaves Associates, PageSoutherlandPage and Lauren Griffith Associates will present the design ideas at two public meetings in October and November. The design process began in July 2005 and will proceed over the next eight months. During this time, the design team will continue to incorporate feedback from downtown constituents and the public. Nancy Kinder, Chair of the Houston Downtown Park Conservancy, also advised Mayor White that the Conservancy had accomplished its initial goal of raising $40 million for construction and design. The Park...