ready to run

Memorial Park invites Houston to grand opening of new, state-of-the-art running complex

Houston’s most popular destination for runners — recently voted one of the best in Texas — just stepped up its game in a major way. Memorial Park will unveil its new, state-of-art running complex on Saturday, November 4.

Encompassing years in planning and construction, this new complex features the 400-meter Roy H. Cullen Timing Track, a viewing deck, an event plaza, several gathering spaces, trails, and more. More than a simple running track, the complex is designed to be a central gathering spot for all Memorial Park visitors, notes Memorial Park Conservancy executive director Shellye Arnold.

The complex will also serve as new gateway to the park’s Bayou Wilds trails.

Locals are invited to a grand opening celebration of the complex (7575 North Picnic Ln.) from 10 am to 2 pm. The free, The family-friendly event will feature music by DJ Johnny J, activities for all ages, giveaways, and more. Pets are welcome at the event; make sure to keep those speedy doggos off the track. A Vendor Village will feature local businesses and organizations including Juice Land, Houston Marathon, HOKA, and Lean Body. Food and drinks including hot dogs, popcorn, and popsicles will be available for purchase.

At 10:30 am, the park will officially open with brief remarks and a ceremonial ribbon cutting by project partners. Then, kids aged 12 and under cab compete in the “Kid’s Dash” on the new 400-meter Roy H. Cullen Timing Track. All young runners will receive a special prize.

Parking is free for the event at the Running Trails Center Parking Lot and Kinder Land Bridge & Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Prairie Parking Lot. Paid parking for $2 is available at the Clay Family Eastern Glades Parking Lot, Sports Complex Parking Lot, Golf Course Parking Lot, Fitness Center Parking Lot, and Tennis Center Parking Lot. Find a parking map here and an event map below; register here (not required).

Memorial Park map Map courtesy of Memorial Park Conservancy

This new complex is meant to bring more visitors to multiple areas of the park, Arnold notes, as well as improve track conditions for the thousands who use it, including Houston Astros and Texans players and Olympians. (Olympic legend Carl Lewis is a frequent user.) “The old timing track in the park is just worn down and not really that accurate, and it has strange turns and corners,” Arnold tells CultureMap. “The running complex is very fitting for the park and for Houston.”

Credit goes to the game-changing Ten-Year Plan, which turned the Memorial Park Master Plan marathon into a sprint with an accelerated set of projects via catalyst gift from the Kinder Foundation and various donors. Partners include the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Uptown Development Authority, and Kinder Foundation, and the City of Houston Mayor’s Office.

That means a new experience not just for runners, joggers, and walkers, but all visitors. “It’s a microcosm of the park, a place where a lot of people go and train at four or five in the morning,” adds Arnold. “But it’s a gathering place in the woods. If you think about Memorial Park, part of the whole experience is being immersed in nature. And so this particular timing track is really much more nature immersive than the old timing track.”

Community access is also a priority, for adults and kids. “There are a lot of schools in Houston that don’t have access to a high quality track — or a track at all,” Arnold says. “And so now, their runners can come out and use the track. It won’t be used for meets, because we won’t close it off to the public very often at all. But it’s all about accessibility. Any school in Houston that wants to use it will be able to bring their students out and enjoy it.”

So while running may be the draw, the complex is yet another chance to enjoy Memorial Park’s 1,500 acres and 25 miles worth of trails. “There are places to hang out,” says Arnold. “There will be a cafe that will open up nearby in the first half of 2024 and an event plaza that’s also opening that will be a place to gather or just hang out with a group. Those are some of the many of the reasons that we did this. All the things that we do is to build community and foster a sense of connectedness — and this track will do that.”

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Rendering courtesy of Memorial Park Conservancy

Memorial Park Running Complex

The Memorial Park Running Complex (7575 North Picnic Ln.) grand opening runs from 10 am-2 pm Saturday, November 4. Event and some parking is free. Visit the event site for more information.

preserve Houston's history

Preservationists stage last-ditch attempt to save historic Houston theatre

Courtesy of Arthouse Houston

Community members rally to preserve the Garden Oaks Theatre.

Houstonians residing in the Heights, Garden Oaks, and far beyond were thrown into a tizzy last week by the abrupt news that the Garden Oaks Theater had been purchased by commercial developers in a $7.1 million, off-market deal.

Within a matter of days, demolition permits were granted, sewer lines disconnected from the city, and — as of Monday night — construction fencing was placed around the property. Both Preservation Houston and Arthouse Houston, an offshoot of the Friends of River Oaks Theatre, have voiced concerns over the apparent plans to raze the Art Deco building before the community has had time to react to the news.

Built in 1947, the Garden Oaks Theater is one of several post-war Houston theaters designed for the Interstate Circuit by H.F. Pettigrew and John A. Worley of the Dallas firm Pettigrew & Worley, alongside its sister cinema, the River Oaks Theatre. It is a classic example of streamlined Art Deco design — an architectural gem that connects Houston’s everyday streetscape to its cinematic past.

Arthouse Houston has been sitting on preservation plans for the theater for years, waiting for it to be sold by the church that had owned and utilized the building since the 1990s. The 700-plus seat theater, along with its stage, has retained its original architectural details and features throughout the years, save for a short stage extension project carried out by the church.

Developers have not responded to proposals by Arthouse Houston to either buy or lease the movie theater to return it to its original use while simultaneously operating as a community arts center and much needed “third place.”

According to State of Texas records, parties involved include the Heights Equity Trust, Sage Equity Partners, and Heights Investment Fund, LLC. None of these entities have responded to CultureMap’s request for comment about their plans for the property.

Jim Parsons, programs and communications director for Preservation Houston, issued this statement to CultureMap:

“The Garden Oaks Theater and buildings like it give the city a sense of identity. People don't just recognize these places, they remember them. Houston is always changing, but when we treat historic architecture as disposable, we risk losing the landmarks that anchor neighborhoods and give them character.”

Maureen McNamara, Arthouse Houston’s co-founder and director, is hoping that developers took note of the “save the theater” rally that took place at the theater on Sunday, February 15, and may have a change of heart. Coverage of the rally by ABC13 was widely circulated on social media, so it’s unlikely that the developers are unaware of the public outcry to save the theater — and is what likely led to fencing going up only a day later.

“We feel like we’re pretty well poised to step in and help investors to incorporate the theater into a larger project, and the first step is to make sure that we win them over,” McNamara tells CultureMap. “Part of winning them over is making sure they know how much the community cares, and seeing how beautiful and dynamic restoring our historical buildings and theaters can be.”

The restoration of River Oaks Theatre and the attention that project has brought to the area is something McNamara is confident she can replicate.

“There are nonprofit organizations all over the US saving and running historic theaters as community arts centers, and arts and film centers — there are models for this. Austin just did a big push with the Paramount Theatre,” says McNamara. “I’d like for it [Garden Oaks Theater] to exist for its original purpose — at least in part, as a movie theater — with some live theater components as well.”

A petition on change.org has already garnered more than 1,000 signatures. In addition, Arthouse Houston will attend a Houston City Council meeting on Wednesday, February 18, at 9 am to discuss what there is to be done about this situation. McNamara encourages people to join them.

“We would love any help we can get getting people there, signing up to speak if possible — it would be great to have a crowd there.”

Courtesy of Arthouse Houston

Community members rally to preserve the Garden Oaks Theatre.

preservation preservation houston garden oaks