After two years of work, The Commons in Hermann Park is finally ready to welcome visitors looking for a high quality park experience.

Located in the southwest corner of the park, The Commons is a 26-acre section of the larger park that's bordered by the Houston Zoo to the east and the Japanese Gardens and McGovern Lake to the north. Though it was always open to visitors, there was little to do there besides walk around and enjoy the sunshine, which contributed to congestion in other areas of the park with more amenities.

That’s all been corrected under the direction of architect Marlon Blackwell and the landscape architects at Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA). The space closed in April 2022 to let them work their magic. Now, they’ve transformed the section into numerous areas that fit a wide variety of activities.

The good news for kids is that the Commons has one of the best free playgrounds in the city. The Buddy Carruth Playground for All Children has been designed with accessibility first in mind, setting the stage for a more diverse range of play for people of all mobility levels.

It includes swings, various playground groves with animal themes to match the nearby zoo, a water play area, a rocket ship with an enormous 45-foot slide, and a carousel. In addition, kids will be able to explore a bayou-themed learning area that teaches them about the flora and fauna of Houston’s famous waterways.

Gorilla Forest is one the animal-themed play areas.Photo by Johnny Than Photography

If you prefer hiking through more natural areas, The Commons has been extensively renovated with that in mind, too. A picturesque stone cove offers plenty of places to cool off by the water, and visitors can also trek through a wetland garden. The park’s distinctive oak trees have new paths and seating decks, so it’s possible to sit in the shade and appreciate nature — something that should be appreciated by the patients, staff, and visitors of Memorial Hermann Hospital looking for respite.

New picnic areas will be serviced by food stations and food trucks.Photo Courtesy of Johnny Than Photography

Lastly, the Historic Fannin Pavilion has been renovated. The project has added a food truck court and all new seating areas to go with it, making it the perfect place for an outdoor lunch or impromptu picnic. The pavilion has been updated with more natural lighting, adding to the back-to-nature aspect of the overall project.

The Commons will open on Saturday, April 13 at a 9 am dedication ceremony. After that, visitors are welcome during normal park hours. Whether it’s just for a jog around the park or an addition to a trip to the zoo, The Commons helps make the already impressive Hermann Park into something even more extraordinary.

“Our objective for the Commons, and our master plan, is simple: to ensure that the Park becomes an even more valuable place for all the citizens of Houston in the years ahead, contributing to the quality of life and serving as a place that unifies our community for all the years to come,” said the Hermann Park Conservancy in a statement.

So far, it looks like mission accomplished.

Photo by Johnny Than Photography

The Space Adventure area has a 45-foot slide.