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Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ~ Lao Tzu
Though sold-out for new foursomes, Memorial Park Conservancy is well on its way to celebrate its 5th Annual Golf Tournament to honor President George H. W. Bush. Co-chairs Steve Gibson and Pat Nowotny joined forces to bring together a stellar host committee and an exciting day of play. His grandson, Pierce Bush, will give a special tribute to his volunteer service. A special pre-event for host committee members will take place at new venue, The Experience, 3033 W. Alabama, on Monday, May 17, 5:30-7 p.m. The following day, May 18, golf professional Mark O'Meara will share his secrets with golfers one half hour before lunch at noon. Play begins at 1 p.m. Join us now to steal the tournament win from last year's team; prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. An auction filled with golf outings, celebrity-signed sports memorabilia, weekend stays for bargain prices await the avid shopper. All proceeds benefit Memorial Park Conservancy and its ongoing efforts to improve and maintain Memorial Park. Opportunities are still available to sponsor the drink carts and to receive hole sponsor recognition for your company. Swing in to support of Memorial Park!
Memorial Park Conservancy through Gulf Coast Landscaping completed Lauren Griffith & Associates design to beautify and renew the plaza in front of the Tennis Center. Native plantings will be placed mid-May. You still have a chance to purchase 12" x 12" pavers for $1,000 each - available through our website on the home page under the Tennis Plaza Renovation button on the right. Please be aware that pavers donated now will be placed after the end of the year. Our sincere thanks to the many donors who helped this happen in Memorial Park. Jog, walk or ride by to see the new beautiful installation!
Our next effort will be focused on a 2-mile Outer Loop that mirrors the Seymour Lieberman. The all-weather trail will extend from the west to Arnot on the east and be landscaped with native trees as we go. We anxiously await Houston Parks & Recreation Department's approval of the SWA Group's design of this much-needed extra trail around the most populous track in the park. We look forward to sharing more of this plan with you in the months to come! Contributions are gladly accepted via our website.
Memorial Park Conservancy's Second "4 the Park" Fun Run Huge Success
What a beautiful day! Conservancy Board Member Blaine Adams chaired this year's spectacularly planned "4 the Park" Fun Run on April 3. More than 1,600 runners/walkers took to the streets surrounding Memorial Park on a gorgeous spring day. Matt Lucas and Suraiya Gerrie, Marketing Director, of Luke's Locker, teamed with MPC's staff to create an outstanding event.
KHOU-TV, Channel 11's news reporter Christina Haas, Council Member Stephen Costello and Council Member Oliver Pennington, former MPC Board Chairman and MPC Board Member were on hand. North Post Oak Lofts, a development of SUEBA USA was the presenting sponsor, along with returning sponsors KBR, Adidas, Koala Health & Wellness and 002 Magazine. New sponsors were Houston Marathon Foundation, Health & Fitness Magazine and CenterPoint Energy. Silver Eagle / Michelob Ultra was again the post race party sponsor providing the band, stage and beverages!
Local Houston restaurants were well represented and we could not have had sucha a great post race party without them! Thank you to all who contributed: Beck's Prime, Vitamin Water, Whole Foods, Smoothie King, Latin Specialties, Salata, Hungry's Cafe, Los Cucos, The Fruit Palette, Hot Bagel Shop, Banyan Foods, Fins Seafood & Sushi, Firkin and Pheonix, Tintos, Freebirds World Burrito, El Rey, Raku Sushi, Katz Coffee, Epicurian Delight, Monster Energy, My Fit Foods, Olive Cafe, Rawfully Organic, Suffuse Tea and California Pizza Kitchens.
Awards were distributed to the Overall Winner Male & Female, Overall Master Winner Male & Female and to the top three winners Male & Female. Thank you to Continental Airlines, Hotel Sorella, Weight Control by Shaun Eckhardt, Luke's Locker and California Pizza Kitchen for awards for all the winners.
A special THANK YOU to the more than 150 volunteers that helped make the event run smoothly. We could not have done things as well without those who helped with registration, managing the shuttle buses, helping with the vendors and the not always fun task of hauling garbage. We are truly grateful for all of those who volunteered!
And lastly, many thanks to our additional sponsors who helped make the second annual "4 the Park" Fun Run such a successful event: Amegy Bank, Impressions Bridal, Moss Landscaping, El Meson, Beck & Masten GMC, Nick Lopez Tailoring, Tommie Vaughn Ford, Green Mountain Energy, Clark Condon Associates, My Fit Foods, The Washington Wave, Waste Management, and Green Bank.
Thanks to our many participants! We can't wait to see you again next year!
Park Safety
As the days get warmer and longer, there will be more and more people within the park. Just a few reminders to keep everyone safe:
1. Lock your car as you leave it and take your key with you! Do not leave valuables in your car! Unfortunately there have been some car break-ins within the park. Protect yourself and your possessions by placing valuables out of sight. Help everyone stay safe by being safe yourself.
2. Be mindful of pedestrians. Pedestrians, including runners, have the right of way at stop signs and street crossings. Pedestrians should also pay attention to cars as drivers may be distracted and not see you.
3. Bicyclists are considered vehicles. Cars should pay attention to cyclists while parking and leaving the park. Bicyclists must obey the rules of the road as well. And remember, you may not be easily visible to drivers, so please be observant.
4. Please keep dogs on leash and curb your dog. You may have the greatest dog in the world, but not everyone is a dog lover. Keeping a dog on a leash keeps the dog safe as well. Sudden noises and other dogs may change your otherwise well-behaved animal into a problem. Help keep the park clean and pick up after your dog. Doggie Bags are provided free of charge at five stations throughout the park.
5. And to help keep the park environment clean and safe, please dispose of all litter in trash bins. Recycling is located along Memorial Drive, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center and at the MP Golf Course.
Have a great and safe Spring!
Memorial Park Conservancy Adopts Hogg Bird Sanctuary
In September, 2009, the MPC Conservation Committee formed a Sub-Committee to create a Hogg Bird Sanctuary Plan, to help guide and protect the 16.472-acre tract that wraps around the Bayou Bend parking lot. The group, comprised of members of Houston Audubon Society, Memorial Park Conservancy, HPARD and the community, meets frequently and has established the following simple key conceptual strategies:
- Removal of Invasive Plant Species is the first action that should be taken.
- Plant native trees and plants in the sanctuary that support birds and other wildlife.
- Plan and implement a simple trail system for the sanctuary.
Hogg Bird Sanctuary Bird Survey
March 17, 2010
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2
Pileated Woodpecker - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Cardinal - 6
Blue Jay - 2
Titmouse - 2
Carolina Wren - 2
Great-tailed Grackle - 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 3
The group, ably led by Jim Porter, has prepared information to help educate the Conservancy, Memorial Park neighbors and aid HPARD in the communication of an ongoing effort to improve this tract of land for environmental and interpretive use. Stay tuned as we progress!
Memorial Park Conservancy Volunteer Opportunities
April-June, 2010
Fun Run Thanks
Memorial Park Conservancy's 2nd Annual "4 The Park Fun Run" was a huge success! We were fortunate to have over 130 volunteers. Volunteers helped vendors in the post race party, at the water stop, volunteer check-in, race timers, and clean up. We couldn't have done it without our volunteers!
Special Thanks to our Volunteer Groups:
Cy Fair High School National Honors Society
Cy Falls High School Key Club
Jersey Village HOPE
KBR IMPACT
Lamar High School National Honors Society
Lee High School National Honors Society
Memorial Park Conservancy Board of Directors
Northern Trust Bank
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Houston Corporate Games
April 30 - May 1, 2010
The Houston Cprporate Games presented by Aetna is organized by HPARD, with support from the Mayor's Wellness Council and the Houston Wellness Association, to encourage employee wellness and an active lifestyle, raise money to improve educational opportunities for deserving middle and high school youth, build company spirit , camaraderie and teamwork and have fun! HPARD/MPC will host a reception on Friday, April 30 at 5-6:30 p.m. at the Jim McConn Ballfield.
MPC 5th Annual Golf Tournament
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Join us for a great day of play on one of Houston's premier urban golf courses!
Volunteers needed for the day to greet golfers, sell mulligans and help with auction. For more info, contact Allison@memorialparkconservancy.org.
Deloitte's Annual IMPACT Day
Friday, June 11, 2010
Deloitte is coming to the park for the 11th year in a row! We are so excited to host this phenomenal event! We are expecting 100 volunteers to help us remove invasives, garden on our new Living Bridge, and trail work. We are looking forward to having Deloitte again!
Thank you!
We would like to thank our generous donors for supporting our efforts in community building and preserving Houston's premier green space. Thank you for your generous contributions to Memorial Park Conservancy. Please note that gifts received between February 22 - April 15, 2010 are noted below. Those received after that date will be acknowledged in the May/June, 2010 issue.*
$75,000+
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
$25,000-74,999
Holthouse Foundation For Kids
Huffington Foundation
$10,000-24,999
Lillian H. and C. W. Duncan Foundation
KBR
Houston Marathon Foundation
$5, 000-9,999
CenterPoint Energy
Goldman Sachs & Company
Mr. James Flores
$2,500-4,999
Grayco Partners LLC
Silver Eagle Distributors
$1,500-2,499
Impressions Bridal
WCA Waste Corporation
Hourglass Capital, LLC
Big E Drilling
Tommie Vaughn Ford
Mr. Lawrence Elliott
Westside Lexus and Northside Lexus
Mr. W. Lawrence Elliott
1,000-1,499
Apache Corporation*
Mr. Philip Burquieres
Ms. Barbara Jane Dinney
Mr. John Arnoldy
Mr. Glenn Clements
Mr. James A. and Susan Baker, III
Mr. Michael Taggert
Mr. and Mrs. Renato Pereira*
Mr. and Mrs. Brad Tucker
$500-999
Green Mountain Energy
Mr. Michael L. Ball
Mr. Sam R. Dooson
Mr. Preston Moore, Jr.
Mr. William J. Rafferty
Ms. Charlene Ripley
Mr. William t. Smith
Mr. Michael Taggart*
NOTE: Due to space/time consideration, we have limited those listed to gifts of $500 or more.
**Capital Campaign gift
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