Spanning 100 acres of open space, Clay Family Eastern Glades features a 5 ½-acre lake, extensive trails and boardwalks, and picturesque picnic spots.
Hines Lake and surrounding wetlands are abundant with wildlife, providing a thriving environment for a variety of species. The waters are teeming with bullfrogs and turtles, while the air is alive with the songs of birds.
Explore 2.5 miles of scenic boardwalks, accessible walking trails, and wetland paths, allowing visitors to discover and learn about natural habitats.
A Memorial Park Master Plan and Ten-Year Plan Project
What To See
HINES LAKE
Hines Lake is a scenic gem within the Clay Family Eastern Glades, serving as a home for local wildlife, while playing a crucial role in managing stormwater runoff into Buffalo Bayou. Visitors can wander along the winding boardwalks and piers that encircle the lake, immersed in the sights and sounds of this peaceful environment.
BOWDEN TERRACE
For those seeking a moment of solitude or a romantic sunset, Bowden Terrace offers a perfect spot. Peer into the lake to see wildlife like turtles, ducks, frogs, and more!
LAWN
The generous 5.5-acre Central Lawn of zoysia grass creates a centralized place for people to gather in the Clay Family Eastern Glades Oval. This expansive, well-maintained area is a vibrant oasis for Park-goers of all ages.
Bordered by mature trees that provide shade and a sense of enclosure, smaller enclaves within the glades create intimate lawn areas perfect for a family picnic, talking with a friend, and many other activities.
PIERS
Two wooden piers stretch out over Hines Lake, located on both the north and south sides of the lake. These piers are equipped with benches and offer fantastic viewpoints for watching wildlife and appreciating the vibrant native vegetation.
Please remember, fishing is not allowed at Hines Lake. Feeding, catching, and touching wildlife are also prohibited.
LIVE OAK COURT
Nestled under the sprawling branches of majestic live oak trees, Live Oak Court offers a delightful outdoor hangout experience. Picnic tables sit in the shade of the tree canopies and twinkle lights create a festive atmosphere in the evenings.
A regular rotation of food trucks and community events turns this spot into a lively hub of activity!
PAVILIONS
The pavilions at Clay Family Eastern Glades provide a beautiful and convenient setting for gatherings of all kinds, from family reunions and birthday parties to corporate picnics and community events. You and your guests can relax and enjoy your time together surrounded by the natural beauty of the Park.
Pavilions are first-come first-served without a reservation.
NORTH LAKESIDE PAVILION
The North Lakeside Pavilion is located near Live Oak Food Truck Court and north of Hines Lake. This pavilion offers a large, covered space for parties and gatherings. The North Lakeside Pavilion comes with a beautiful view of Hines Lake and a built-in fireplace with a grill for food preparation and electrical access. At this time, six picnic tables are available. Guests may bring additional tables and chairs.
SOUTH LAKESIDE PAVILION
The South Lakeside Pavilion, located south of Hines Lake, offers a covered space for parties and gatherings with a lakeside view. The South Lakeside Pavilion includes a fireplace with a built-in grill for food preparation and electrical access. At this time, five picnic tables are available. Guests may bring additional tables and chairs.
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PROMENADE PAVILION
The Promenade Pavilion, located on the southern portion of the Oval Trail, is nestled between four Eastern Glades Picnic Pads. The Promenade Pavilion includes a fireplace with a built-in grill for food preparation and electrical access. At this time, there are four picnic tables available for use. Guests may bring additional tables and chairs.
BLOSSOM PLAZA
Blossom Plaza serves as the inviting entrance to Clay Family Eastern Glades. Flanked by pillars that honor the main access road from Camp Logan, this entryway acts as the threshold to a stunning green space.
TRAILS
There are 2.5 miles of trails and paths available to walkers in the Clay Family Eastern Glades division of the park. All trails are accessible. Bikes are not allowed on these trails.
Oval Promenade
This trail leads users on a scenic loop through Clay Family Eastern Glades, encircling Central Lawn and offering picturesque views of Hines Lake.
Length: 0.45 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Pedestrian Only
GRAVEL PATH
Hines Lake Trail
Surrounding Hines Lake, this trail and boardwalk run alongside the water’s edge, providing intimate views of the natural
flora and fauna that inhabit the area. It grants access to both the northern and southern piers.Â
Length: 0.44 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Pedestrian Only
GRAVEL PATH
WOODEN BOARDWALK
Wetland Boardwalk
A hidden boardwalk that leads you through a native wetland and upland forests nestled in the heart of Memorial Park.Â
Length: 0.19 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Pedestrian Only
WOODEN BOARDWALK
Learn more about Memorial Park’s past, present & future
More Information
ABOUT THE PROJECT
THE MASTER & TEN-YEAR PLAN
The first major project of the Memorial Park Master Plan, Clay Family Eastern Glades reclaimed 100 acres of largely inaccessible parkland. This project significantly expanded picnicking, meeting a growing demand by families wishing to enjoy the Park; added new parking and restrooms; extended the Seymour Lieberman Trail to a full 3-mile loop; established a 5-acre lake and wetlands; provided trails, boardwalks and opportunities to experience and learn about natural habitat systems; and honored the Park’s military history. Located north of Memorial Drive between Memorial Park Golf Course and Crestwood Drive, the completed Eastern Glades opened to the public in July 2020.
The Memorial Park Master Plan is a visionary plan for the future of Houston’s largest urban wilderness and recreation park. The Master Plan focuses on: restoring the Park’s ecological systems and creating greater resiliency; reconnecting the Park’s land, waterways, trails, and people; consolidating compatible uses together in appropriate areas; tending to the land and the Park’s cultural history, maintaining balance through responsible management; and enhancing the overall Park experience and amenities. It includes capital improvements, long-term conservation, and an operations and maintenance plan for the Park.
The Ten-Year Plan enables the design and construction of significant components of the Memorial Park Master Plan and was made possible by a catalyst gift from Kinder Foundation, which leveraged public funding through the Uptown Development Authority and by the generosity of other donors. Execution of the Ten-Year Plan is overseen by the Memorial Park Standards Committee, a partnership comprised of Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Memorial Park Conservancy, Kinder Foundation, and Uptown Development Authority.
CLAY FAMILY EASTERN GLADES FAQ
PARKING & RESTROOMS
Paid parking, restrooms, and hydration stations are located at multiple locations in the Clay Family Eastern Glades.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Clay Family Eastern Glades is wheelchair accessible. Strollers and on-leash dogs are permitted. Bikes, scooters and skateboards are prohibited. Bicycles are not allowed on the Eastern Glades trails.
CAN I FISH, SWIM, OR BOAT IN HINES LAKE?
Fishing, boating, swimming, or entry of any kind into Park water features and Hines Lake are prohibited. This applies to dogs as well. We enforce this rule to help protect the Park’s natural habitats and not disturb wildlife. Feeding or touching wildlife is also prohibited.
PARK UPDATES & ALERTS
Please be aware: The parking lots at the Running Complex and Picnic Loop will close each night at 9:00 p.m. and will reopen the following morning at 4:30 a.m.
The automatic gates allow free exit, meaning that any park user still in the lot after closing time can leave once the lot is closed.
The western portion of Outer Loop Trail will remain closed until 2027 for the construction of Memorial Groves.
