Emancipation Park is a historic park centerpiece in the heart of Houston’s Third Ward, just south of downtown. Established 150 years ago by four former slaves, the park is the oldest city park in Houston, the oldest in Texas, and for decades was the only public park in Houston open to African Americans. As demographics shifted, decades of neglect and lack of funding took a heavy toll, leaving the park in poor condition with a questionable future. But the park’s rich historic value and cultural significance were never forgotten, and friends of Emancipation Park and Third Ward stakeholders began working together to save the park and restore it as a neighborhood hub and gathering place. In 2007 the park was declared a historical landmark, advancing important funding and renovation efforts.

In 2010 the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the OST/Almeda Corridors Redevelopment Authority chose North Carolina-based Perkins & Will (formerly the Freelon Group) and internationally recognized African American architect Phil Freelon to lead a comprehensive $33.6 million renovation. M2L Associates was the landscape architect and local design team lead, selected for its deep parks and rec expertise, history with the redevelopment authority, and strong portfolio of work in the Third Ward.

The new Emancipation Park was unveiled in 2017. Improvements include a new 14,000-sq-ft community building, aquatic center, sports fields, splashpad, water features, trails, tree preservation, and playground. All buildings are LEED Certified. The 10-acre site was designed for numerous low-impact development techniques, including permeable paving, a geothermal field, bioswales and stormwater reuse for irrigation. Today, the park is a popular neighborhood gathering space for recreational use as well as indoor and outdoor events from smaller meetings to the largest music festivals and holiday celebrations such as the Third Ward’s premier Juneteenth festivities.