February 27, 2026
Long before the Memorial Park Conservancy came into existence, the Park benefited from the leadership and interest of passionate conservationists.
One of the most notable among them was Miss Ima Hogg, sister to the Park’s benefactors, Will and Mike Hogg. The original deed of sale to the city specified that the land remain “for park purposes only,” stipulating that should this not be respected, the land would return to Hogg family ownership or that of their heirs. The Park was to be named to honor the soldiers who fought in World War I and trained in Camp Logan, today known as Memorial Park.
In 2024, the Conservancy celebrates Memorial Park’s 100th birthday ‘The Biggest Picnic—100th Birthday Edition.’ Over 4,000 visitors celebrate the centennial of Houston’s largest urban park and look forward to the next 100 years. The Conservancy announces ‘100 ways to celebrate’ Memorial Park’s Centennial.
History was made on November 13, 2023. In an unprecedented announcement, the U.S. Army set aside the wrongful convictions of the 110 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, granting each of them honorable discharge. These soldiers were unfairly tried, convicted and court-martialed following the events of August 23, 1917, formerly known as the “Houston Mutiny and Riots of 1917.” Of these 110 soldiers, 19 were executed, and 63 were given life sentences in federal prison. During the 2023 ceremony at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, the Army also declared their commitment to providing survivor benefits to the families of these soldiers. And finally, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, they outlined their plans to properly memorialize the soldiers.
That proper memorial for the soldiers happened on February 22, 2024, during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas where the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration dedicated new headstones for 17 of the 19 unjustly executed soldiers. The headstones now show the soldiers’ ranks, signifying their dedication, leadership and commitment to duty.
In 2023, the Running Complex opens on the south side of Memorial Park, including the 400-meter Roy H. Cullen Timing Track, viewing decks, an Event Plaza, and a café. The Park’s running community is elated.
In 2023, Memorial Park celebrates the grand opening of the Kinder Land Bridge & Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Prairie with “The Biggest Picnic in Texas.” 15,000 celebrants enjoy this long-awaited 100-acre space that reunites the north and south sides of the park by creating two nature bridges over Memorial Drive and provides vistas of both downtown and uptown Houston. The Emily Clay Family Scramble, made from pieces of reclaimed Memorial Drive, becomes one of the most photographed places in Houston. The prairie restoration re-introduces endangered native Gulf Coast prairie and additional wetlands to areas north and south of Memorial Drive.
In 2022, to improve the experience of Park visitors on the Seymour Lieberman Trail, the Conservancy and its Ten-Year Plan project partners open a new one-mile segment of the trail moving it off Memorial Drive. This requires the construction of three ravine bridges as the trail is redirected through the woods near the golf course, creating the some of the most scenic and shaded experiences for park users during their 3 miles.
That same year, the Conservancy and project partners host a Preview Tunnel Party. 7,000 Houstonians attend a preview of the future Land Bridge Tunnels. The Tunnels open to traffic later that year.
In 2021, the project partners open the Sports Complex that includes a multi-use sports field, two ballfields, four sand volleyball courts, and associated parking helping centralize the sports fields, that were once scattered across the Park. The sports fields feature important improvements compared to existing fields including shaded dugouts, bleachers, and restrooms.
Also in 2021, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center opens its much anticipated restoration of the 150-acre Arboretum. This $26M project transforms the Nature Center, adds a Conservation Center, improves and restores native habitats and ecologies, and provides public spaces for meetings and rentals.
In 2024, the Conservancy celebrates Memorial Park’s 100th birthday ‘The Biggest Picnic—100th Birthday Edition.’ Over 4,000 visitors celebrate the centennial of Houston’s largest urban park and look forward to the next 100 years. The Conservancy announces ‘100 ways to celebrate’ Memorial Park’s Centennial.
History was made on November 13, 2023. In an unprecedented announcement, the U.S. Army set aside the wrongful convictions of the 110 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, granting each of them honorable discharge. These soldiers were unfairly tried, convicted and court-martialed following the events of August 23, 1917, formerly known as the “Houston Mutiny and Riots of 1917.” Of these 110 soldiers, 19 were executed, and 63 were given life sentences in federal prison. During the 2023 ceremony at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, the Army also declared their commitment to providing survivor benefits to the families of these soldiers. And finally, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, they outlined their plans to properly memorialize the soldiers.
That proper memorial for the soldiers happened on February 22, 2024, during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas where the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration dedicated new headstones for 17 of the 19 unjustly executed soldiers. The headstones now show the soldiers’ ranks, signifying their dedication, leadership and commitment to duty.
In 2023, the Running Complex opens on the south side of Memorial Park, including the 400-meter Roy H. Cullen Timing Track, viewing decks, an Event Plaza, and a café. The Park’s running community is elated.
In 2023, Memorial Park celebrates the grand opening of the Kinder Land Bridge & Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Prairie with “The Biggest Picnic in Texas.” 15,000 celebrants enjoy this long-awaited 100-acre space that reunites the north and south sides of the park by creating two nature bridges over Memorial Drive and provides vistas of both downtown and uptown Houston. The Emily Clay Family Scramble, made from pieces of reclaimed Memorial Drive, becomes one of the most photographed places in Houston. The prairie restoration re-introduces endangered native Gulf Coast prairie and additional wetlands to areas north and south of Memorial Drive.
In 2022, to improve the experience of Park visitors on the Seymour Lieberman Trail, the Conservancy and its Ten-Year Plan project partners open a new one-mile segment of the trail moving it off Memorial Drive. This requires the construction of three ravine bridges as the trail is redirected through the woods near the golf course, creating the some of the most scenic and shaded experiences for park users during their 3 miles.
That same year, the Conservancy and project partners host a Preview Tunnel Party. 7,000 Houstonians attend a preview of the future Land Bridge Tunnels. The Tunnels open to traffic later that year.
In 2021, the project partners open the Sports Complex that includes a multi-use sports field, two ballfields, four sand volleyball courts, and associated parking helping centralize the sports fields, that were once scattered across the Park. The sports fields feature important improvements compared to existing fields including shaded dugouts, bleachers, and restrooms.
Also in 2021, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center opens its much anticipated restoration of the 150-acre Arboretum. This $26M project transforms the Nature Center, adds a Conservation Center, improves and restores native habitats and ecologies, and provides public spaces for meetings and rentals.
100 Years of History. 100 Years for Houston.
Houston’s largest urban greenspace was officially named ‘Memorial Park’ in 1924. More than 100 years later, this Park has become a staple in our community, a loved and cherished home for Houstonians to get active, unwind, connect with nature and spend time with their loved ones. Memorial Park’s size (1,500 acres, nearly twice the size of Central Park) and central location—in the heart of Houston—make it distinctive nationally. Further distinguishing Memorial Park is its cultural history as a former WWI training camp—Camp Logan—where 70,000 soldiers trained for battle.
Established in 2000, Memorial Park Conservancy, a private, nonprofit organization, continues to maintain 1,100 of the Park’s 1,500 acres, founded on a mission to preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.
Celebrating 100 Years of Memorial Park
Memorial Park celebrated its biggest birthday yet in 2024, and to honor this landmark event, Memorial Park Conservancy ensured it was a year to remember. The team began the year by launching a suite of Centennial logos, prominently displayed on banners, flyers, email signatures, and social media graphics throughout the year.
Centennial signage was also unveiled through out the Park, while themed stickers, shirts and merchandise were distributed at the Cullen Running Trails Center and during events.
A dedicated webpage titled “100 Ways to Celebrate” was launched on the website, offering a comprehensive list of ways for Park visitors to engage with and support the Conservancy throughout the year. These family-friendly options encouraged Park goers to explore different areas of the Park, participate in events, and much more!
Finally, several themed events took place throughout the year, including The Biggest Picnic in Texas: 100th Birthday Edition and The Park Ball, Celebrating 100 Years.
The milestone year concluded with a tribute to the Park’s rich history, showcased on a timeline placed within the Clay Family Eastern Glades, titled “A Century of Stories: Celebrating Memorial Park.”
The Centennial Celebration was more than just a tribute to the Park’s history; it was also about celebrating a vibrant and sustainable future. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Conservancy team, volunteers, and the broader community, Memorial Park will remain a beloved sanctuary for relaxation, recreation, and reflection for decades to come!
Visit the Memorial Park map to explore all the Park has to offer: trails, recreation facilities, historic sites, and more!
Visit the calendar to see our upcoming events and plan your next visit!
February 27, 2026
February 26, 2026