Discovery Green named one of America’s Great Places

"The Shape of Things: Michael Craig-Martin at Discovery Green" is on view through Nov. 3 at Discovery Green, which has been named one of six Great Public Spaces in America for 2019 by the American Planning Association. August 1-November 3, 2019. less "The Shape of Things: Michael Craig-Martin at Discovery Green" is on view through Nov. 3 at Discovery Green, which has been named one of six Great Public Spaces in America for 2019 by the American Planning ... more Photo: Daniel Ortiz / Courtesy Of Discovery Green Conservancy Photo: Daniel Ortiz / Courtesy Of Discovery Green Conservancy Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Discovery Green named one of America’s Great Places 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Houstonians don’t have to be told, but now the word is officially spreading elsewhere: Discovery Green is a great place to hang out.

The American Planning Association, an organization of public and private sector community planners, named downtown Houston’s 12-acre park one of its Great Places in America for 2019. The program annually recognizes streets, neighborhoods and public spaces that demonstrate exceptional character, quality and planning. Discovery Green is the only Texas location among 13 winners, including six parks, listed this year.

Association president Kurt Christiansen said the group selected Discovery Green for multiple reasons. Cities rarely have opportunities to weave new public open spaces into their downtown fabric because those spaces are already built up, he said.

Houston’s 11-year old downtown park, thanks to public-private partnerships, replaced a sea of parking lots and helped to transform an economic dead zone into one of the city’s most active public spaces, Christiansen said, also noting Discovery Green’s good access to mass transit and its LEED gold-certified structures, a mark of environmental friendliness. Even the name of the park and its space shuttle shape reflect thoughtful consideration by planners and the community, he added. “And it provides public amenities for people who live downtown, which is something we’re really pushing.”

According to the Downtown District, Houston’s downtown has attracted more than $9 billion in public and private investments during the past two decades. Discovery Green, which receives about 1.5 million visitors annually, has been one of the catalysts. The Discovery Green Conservancy, which operates the park, programs its spaces non-stop with public art, performances, classes and community events.

More than 4,000 members of the American Planning Association will see Discovery Green and other sites around Houston next April, when their national convention visits the George R. Brown Convention Center. Buffalo Bayou Park, which received Great Places recognition in 2012, will likely also be on their must-see lists, Christiansen said. “Houston has done an amazing job without zoning. That’s something planners can learn from.”

Mayor Sylvester Turner said he was happy to see Discovery Green gaining national recognition. “The park’s founding is a true example of Houston’s can-do spirit, leading to what is now a dynamic gathering place for downtown residents and workers, a destination for visitors from the region and beyond,” he said, “and a reflection of what makes Houston such a vibrant, culture-rich city.”

molly.glentzer@chron.com