by
< 1 min read
March 30, 2026
Spending time in nature teaches us that, just like life, every season brings change. Some seasons are joyful while others bring pain. After the loss of a child, Memorial Park was where Leah Bourn found strength during one of the hardest seasons of her life. When the silence of her home felt loud, Memorial Park became the place where she could step outside of her grief. This greenspace became an anchor for Leah, a space for her to reflect and process life in the serenity of nature.
As Leah walks along the park’s winding trails, the sunlight through the trees reminds her that this vibrant, sacred place needs to be protected. The Conservancy, as the steward of this iconic greenspace, works to ensure that Memorial Park remains beautiful, accessible, and safe for all Houstonians. In gratitude to the Park and in support of the Conservancy’s mission, Leah decided to include Memorial Park Conservancy in her estate plan. For her, legacy giving is about the impact beyond her lifetime. It is an intentional way to create space for healing, joy, and connection to people she may never know.
Her commitment to Memorial Park Conservancy grew from gratitude, explaining that the “park stood with me during a season when I felt like I could barely stand on my own. Making a planned gift felt intentional, a beautiful way to honor baby Miles.”
Leah’s story shows that healing can happen in places we might not expect. She hopes others will feel inspired to protect the places that help them heal, and that their stories, voices, and support will help keep places like Memorial Park safe for future generations.
The Emmott Society celebrates donors who have committed an estate gift to Memorial Park Conservancy. Named for Catherine Mary Emmott, whose century-old vision led to the establishment of Memorial Park in honor of the soldiers who trained at Camp Logan, the WWI army training base on which Memorial Park now sits.
Head to our Support section to discover all the ways you can give back to Memorial Park Conservancy.
Faces of Memorial Park
Faces of Memorial Park is a storytelling series that highlights the people whose lives are intertwined with this iconic Houston greenspace. Each feature lifts up a member of our community; Park users, supporters, volunteers, and legacy donors whose personal connection to Memorial Park reflects the power of nature to inspire, heal, and bring people together. Through their stories, we celebrate the many ways the Park shapes lives and honor the individuals who help ensure its vitality for generations to come.
June 4, 2026
June 2, 2026
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!
