Memorial Park Makeover

Memorial Park makeover gets a boost with sparkling new $2.4 million running center

While elected officials and community leaders gathered in their professional best, it was the joggers and cyclists who added color to the ribbon cutting at the Memorial Park Running Trails Center. The $2.4 million facility was unveiled Friday morning in ceremonies applauded by more than 100 supporters.

The 4,400-square-foot stucco building is located on the south side of Memorial Drive at the foot of the Living Bridge, which provides a connection for joggers between the north and south sides of the busy traffic corridor. Regular hours for the center begin on Monday. The center will be open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on the weekend from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"When we built the bridge, people called it a bridge to nowhere. Well, today we have a bridge to somewhere and that somewhere is the running center."

As Memorial Park Capital Campaign chair Mindy Hildebrand said, "When we built the bridge, people called it a bridge to nowhere. Well, today we have a bridge to somewhere and that somewhere is the running center."

Opening of the center marks the completion of the Memorial Park Conservancy's $10 million campaign. Hildebrand noted that 700 donors had made the campaign possible.

State Sen. John Whitmire spoke briefly to the gathering saying, "We need events like this one this morning to celebrate something that is working as well as this." The center was built through a partnership between the conservancy and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.

Joggers and cyclists applauded the air-conditioned facility that includes lockers, showers, restrooms and even towel rentals. Nominal fees will be charged —showers 75 cents, lockers 50 cents and towel rentals for $1.

While the athletes are celebrating so is conservancy executive director Shellye Arnold who praised the facility that provides office space for the non-profit and for the police.

The program was led by parks director Joe Turner with remarks from City Councilwoman Ellen Cohen in whose district the park falls, former Mayor Bill White, City Councilman Oliver Pennington and Hildebrand.

Joggers joined businessmen and women, elected officials and community leaders at the ribbon cutting.

News, Shelby, Memorial Park Running Center, Oct. 2014,

Photo by Shelby Hodge

Joggers joined businessmen and women, elected officials and community leaders at the ribbon cutting.

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a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cattle exhibition

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The money supports studies in fields such as animal husbandry.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its annual tradition of breaking its own record when it comes to educational endowments. On Giving Tuesday, the organization pledged to disburse $30,353,380 in 2026 in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding.

“This milestone moment of reaching $30 million in a single year highlights the Rodeo’s unwavering dedication to Texas youth and education,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “Thanks to our loyal donors, sponsors, more than 36,000 volunteers and dedicated attendees, 2026 will reach historic heights in supporting the next generation of leaders, agricultural professionals and organizations that share the Rodeo’s mission.”

This brings the total of education funding provided by the Rodeo since 1932 up to $660 million. Last year's $28 million commitment also set a new record.

One innovation this year is the establishment of the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, a program that expands on the relationship with 68 Texas counties through the Area Go Texan affiliate program. One student from each county will receive $6,000 toward a degree or certificate in a vocational field at a Texas nonprofit college or university. Another $500,000 in vocational scholarships will awarded to 10 schools in 2026. Guidelines for applying can be found at this link.

In total, the Rodeo will hand out $15,126,000 in scholarships, $11,273,500 to junior exhibitors, $3,430,880 in grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships. Grants will be awarded to 82 Texas institutions and organizations, such as Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Money for the annual endowment is raised through the annual auctions, sales of livestock and art, and through charitable donations. The goal of the endowment program is to promote study and research in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields that directly benefit the Rodeo.

The Rodeo is scheduled to run from March 2 – 22, 2026. More information on performers, attractions, and vendors can be found at RodeoHouston.com. Scholarship applications are open through February 2, with funds being awarded in summer 2026.

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