This was my first trip to Houston, and I arrived eager to explore both its parks and its arts. I already knew about Houston’s vibrant, nationally respected arts scene, but I was far less familiar with the reputation of its parks. That quickly changed.
I first learned about City Parks Alliance several years ago through an ad in Next City magazine. Once I dove into their website and mission, along with their programs and resources, I knew I wanted to get involved. In 2024, I attended the Greater & Greener conference in Seattle. I was struck not only by the quality of the organization and its leadership, but also by the attendees it drew. And who doesn’t love a conference that uses the city as its outdoor classroom? The hands-on, experiential learning approach with minimal conference-room sitting required was exactly my style.
After such a positive experience, I didn’t hesitate to sign up for the 2025 Houston Park Study Tour. And once again, City Parks Alliance exceeded my expectations. The tour offered an impressive range of public–private partnership models, thoughtful and delicious meals that showcased Houston’s culinary talent, and ample time to connect with both fellow participants and speakers.
One of the most enlightening elements of the tour was seeing how closely the Harris County Flood Control District collaborates with park partners. From the under-construction Hill at Sims to several Bayou Partnership sites, the integration of flood mitigation, public access, ecological restoration, and placemaking was inspiring. Even though my city, Greensboro, North Carolina doesn’t face the same scale of flood control challenges, the trip sparked ideas for how we might deepen collaboration with our local water resources department.
A personal highlight was visiting the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. My first time encountering this type of infrastructure was in Istanbul in the spring of 2024, and it left a big impression on me. Houston’s rediscovered and repurposed cistern was equally awe-inspiring—visually, acoustically, and atmospherically. The song performed by the cistern’s caretaker during our tour is something I’ll never forget.
I serve as the project manager of the Greensboro Downtown Greenway, a four-mile multi-use trail that defines downtown Greensboro. The Downtown Greenway acts as the central hub of our city’s trails and greenways system, features public art that tells local stories, connects neighborhoods, and hosts creative programming. It has been 25 years in the making through a strong public–private partnership. As we prepare for completion in 2026, I’m already applying lessons from the Houston Park Study Tour—particularly as we think about structuring ongoing partnerships that will sustain the Downtown Greenway’s success long-term.
