Hermann Park Conservancy

Programs: Park programs and maintenance the conservancys maintenance program assists the houston parks and recreation department with the maintenance of hermann park. Responsibilities include maintaining and cleaning the parks grounds, water features, and hardscapes; planting and watering trees; and weeding. The conservancy manages the maintenance program for the 15-acre mcgovern centennial gardens. Conservancy maintenance workers keep the gardens in top condition, ensuring that the gardens are well tended through each season. The cherie flores garden pavilion and celebration garden, mcgovern centennial gardens rental venues, are available to host private events in an elegant urban garden setting. The volunteer program supports the mcgovern centennial gardens staff as well as lending a hand throughout the park. Volunteers are involved with park maintenance, horticulture and reforestation efforts and create a connection between the park and the community.

visitor servicesthe visitor services department was developed in 2008 when hermann park conservancy was awarded the contract by the city of houston to manage the hermann park railroad. Visitor services oversees and operates the train, pedal boats, and pinewood cafe, and coordinates activities with the conservancy gift shop and food vendors throughout the park. The department hosts special programs at lake plaza including a yearly birthday party for park namesake, george hermann, the holiday train, a festive holiday party with arts and crafts and other activities, holiday brunches at pinewood cafe and student performances. Approximately 40 staff members are responsible for creating an exciting and memorable experience for park visitors and keeping lake plaza operating efficiently and safely. The maintenance team is responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of lake plaza.

planning, design and construction the conservancy identified underdeveloped areas of the park that could be developed into more visitor-friendly landscapes and brought prominent landscape architecture firm, michael van valkenburgh associates, on board to study the park's needs and develop an updated master plan to guide improvements for the next 20 years. The conservancy and the city of houston collaborated on a restoration project in the japanese garden ahead of the garden's 25th anniversary in 2017. The restoration project included structural improvements as well as a new dry-stream garden. Architecture firm curtis & windham moved forward with the next phase of restoration of hermann park's historic clubhouse, built in 1933. By the end of fiscal year, the conservancy had secured nearly $4. 3 million.