Emily Clay Family Scramble

Located on the East Mound of Kinder Land Bridge and accessed from the Seymour Lieberman Trail, the Emily Clay Family Scramble forms an impressive stairway leading to an expansive lawn above Memorial Drive.

The steps of the Scramble are composed of upcycled pavement from a former section of Memorial Drive. The blocks introduce a sustainable and beautifully designed architectural feature that commemorates the Park’s history and acknowledges the millions of cars that have traveled along the major thoroughfare running through the heart of the Park.

A Memorial Park Master Plan and Ten-Year Plan Project

What To See

KINDER LAND BRIDGE EAST MOUND

At the pinnacle of the grand staircase that is the Emily Clay Family Scramble, you’ll find the tranquil East Mound of Kinder Land Bridge.

Standing atop this impressive 35-foot mound, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Houston’s Downtown skyline and Cyvia & Melvyn Wolff Prairie. The calming environment allows you to momentarily forget the vibrant city life around you.

Keep an eye out for animal footprints etched into the pathway as you meander down the south side of the mound towards Cyvia & Melvyn Wolff Prairie.

SEYMOUR LIEBERMAN TRAIL

Exclusive to pedestrians, the 3-mile loop around Clay Family Eastern Glades and the Memorial Park Golf Course is the most used space in all of Memorial Park.

Winding through lush greenery and shaded  by towering trees, the trail offers a respite from the bustling city life.

Learn more about Memorial Park’s past, present & future

FOUNDING OF
THE PARK

THE TEN-YEAR &
MASTER PLAN

More Information

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Delivered in 2023, alongside Kinder Land Bridge and Cyvia & Melvyn Wolff Prairie, the Emily Clay Family Scramble provides visitors direct access to the Kinder Land Bridge from the popular Seymour Lieberman Trail via a series of large blocks that ascend the Land Bridge East Mound. Composed of upcycled pavement chunks from a former section of Memorial Drive, the blocks introduced a sustainable and beautifully designed architectural feature that preserves the Park’s history and acknowledges the millions of cars that have traveled along the major thoroughfare running through the heart of the park.

Once an oyster-shell road, Memorial Drive was paved in the 1950s and has grown to a six-lane roadway and median that divides Memorial Park’s 1,500 acres in half. The Scramble is composed of the section of Memorial Drive that was removed and realigned as a part of project construction.

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.

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.

Interactive Park Map

Visit the Memorial Park map to explore all the Park has to offer: trails, recreation facilities, historic sites, and more!

Park Calendar

Visit the calendar to see our upcoming events and plan your next visit!

General Guidelines

Help keep the park WILD & beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

Use the Park at your own risk.

Please obey all posted signs and check trail status regularly.

Please only use designated trails or greenspaces.

Please do not disturb wild flowers and natural elements.

Do not touch, feed, or scare wildlife.

GENERAL PARK FAQ

For information on events and permitting, please visit our Events and Permitting FAQ.

For more information on parking at Memorial Park, please visit our dedicated Parking FAQ.

What items and activities are prohibited at the Park?

To ensure the health of the Park ecology and the safety of other Park users, the following activities are prohibited:

Balloon arches, balloons, and balloon fragments—more so than other trash materials—end up in the natural areas of the park and make their way to our waterways, including Hines Lake, the park streams, Buffalo Bayou, and ultimately Galveston Bay. Balloons are not allowed in Memorial Park due to the threat they pose to wildlife.

Slack lines or tethering items to a tree

Use of equipment that causes any harm to the Park, such a tire-dragging

Water activities such as dunking booths or ‘slip and slides’, water balloons, petting zoos or non-domestic animals, moonwalks or other inflatables

Candles, rice, confetti, flower petals, plastic eggs, smoke/fog machines, silly string, birdseed, potpourri, glitter, or any substance of that nature

Attaching anything to the exterior or interior of any Park property which will cause permanent changes or alterations

Tape, nails, or staples on anything within the Park, including trees
Generators are prohibited without a special use permit and are approved on a case-by-case only basis.
Glass is prohibited

Contact us for more information.

Where can I ride a bike at the Park?

We encourage biking in many areas of the Park, except on the Seymour Lieberman Trail and Cullen Timing Track. Motorized bikes and e-bikes are not permitted.

Bike racks are located at the Cullen Running Trails Center, the Tennis Center, and Clay Family Eastern Glades.

Can I bring my dog to Memorial Park?

Yes! We love furry animals of all kinds. Please keep in mind, per the City of Houston ordinance, dogs must remain on a leash at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the Roy H. Cullen Timing Track.

Can I bring a stroller?

Yes, strollers are allowed throughout all areas of Memorial Park.

Is Memorial Park compliant with ADA standards of accessibility?

Most areas of Memorial Park are fully accessible in accordance with ADA standards. However, rugged and natural terrain in Bayou Wilds trails may present greater challenges to accessibility.

Does Memorial Park have disabled parking?

Yes, there are a number of accessible parking spaces throughout Memorial Park. Designated disabled spots are free with valid plates or placards. Vehicles with valid credentials may park free for the time limit posted at the meter zone.

Vehicles with valid Disabled Veterans Plates may also park for free during the time limit posted, so long as the license plate is visible, and they are not violating ADA parking rules.

Is there WiFi at the Park?

There is limited WiFi access at the Park. Trails and greenspaces do not have accessible WiFi. WiFi is available in the Visitor’s Center and for patrons at dining establishments including Vibrant and Becks Prime.

Are there places to eat at the Park?

Memorial Park Conservancy is pleased to have a variety of dining options available at the Park.

Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own snacks or picnic items to enjoy.

Can I take photos and videos at the Park?

Yes! We love when park users capture their favorite spaces at Memorial Park. If you would like to share your photos or videos on social media, feel free to tag us @memorialparkconservancy.

While professional photography is allowed at Memorial Park, it does require a permit. Please visit our Events and Permitting webpage for more information.

Can I have a picnic at Memorial Park?

Yes! Memorial Park has an abundance of picnic-perfect locations, from Picnic Loop to Clay Family Eastern Glades. Visit our map to help plan your next picnic!

How can I get involved at Memorial Park?

Memorial Park Conservancy offers a membership program that allows park users to get involved and give back to their favorite greenspace! Check out our Friends of Memorial Park webpage to learn more about this great program.

Where can I park?

Both free and paid parking is available throughout the Park.

Is there a Lost and Found?

Items found in Memorial Park can be turned in to the Memorial Park Conservancy front desk located in the Cullen Running Trails Center: 7575 North Picnic Lane, Houston, TX 77007

Please visit Cullen Running Trails Center during operating hours or call the front desk at 713.863.8403 x0 to inquire about lost items.

There is an additional lost and found at the Memorial Park Golf Course Pro Shop and at the Memorial Park Tennis Center. The Golf Course can be reached at 832.968.7486.

The ‘Lost and Found’ board located along the Seymour Lieberman Trail is not managed or monitored by Memorial Park Conservancy.

How do I become a vendor at the Park?

The sale and/or marketing of goods and services is not permitted.

Vending or commercial sales of any sort, including recreational offerings, are prohibited without a permit.

Exhibiting or performing to derive revenue is not permitted.

For information about becoming a sanctioned Memorial Park Food Truck, please contact us below.

All Group Fitness vendors must be permitted through Memorial Park Conservancy. Permits are granted through an application process.

For information contact us.

Where can I recycle at the Park?

For disposal of items during your visit, recycle bins are available throughout the Park at the Cullen Running Trails Center, Clay Family Eastern Glades, Kinder Land Bridge, and Cyvia & Melvyn Wolff Prairie. We can accept plastic bottles and containers, paper, glass, steel, aluminum, and tin cans.

What activities are allowed on the Clay Family Eastern  Glades and Kinder Land Bridge Lawns?

To keep the Eastern Glades and Land Bridge lawns healthy, Memorial Park Conservancy does not allow organized recreational activities such as soccer or volleyball games. Sports nets of any kind are not allowed on the lawns. The use of stakes is also prohibited. Please visit the Houston Parks and Recreation Department website for more information on permitting the multi-purpose and soccer fields.

What should I do if I encounter wildlife at the Park?

Memorial Park is home to many wild animals, including coyotes and venomous snakes. Please respect the natural habitat of these animals. Always stay on marked trails, do not walk through tall grasses and watch where you step. Please keep your pets on a leash and dispose of litter properly.

Can I fish, swim or kayak at Hines Lake?

To preserve the natural habitat at Hines Lake, all activities including fishing, swimming, and boating are prohibited. Feeding, trapping, and touching wildlife are also prohibited.

Can I feed the wildlife at Hines Lake?

Feeding wildlife is prohibited throughout the Park as it can be dangerous for both the animals and for humans.

Park Rules

Use the Park at your own risk.

Restrooms in the Park are available to the general public.

All visitors must avoid negatively impacting the Park or other park users in any way.

Park users must comply with directions from Park personnel. Please obey all posted rules and signs.

PARKING

Parking is for park users only. Do not leave valuables unattended in your vehicle. Vehicles are prohibited off roadways and beyond parking areas. No parking on grass or unpaved areas. Improperly parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed.

TEMPORARY CLOSURES

The sensitive nature of the Park’s ecology may require closures from time to time. Use of closed areas of the Park or trail system may be considered criminal trespass or potential destruction of city property.

PROHIBITED IN THE PARK

Distribution or sale of alcoholic beverages are prohibited, unless otherwise permitted.

Littering and dumping are prohibited.

Smoking and vaping are prohibited.

Balloons are not allowed in Memorial Park due to the threat they pose to wildlife.

Candles, rice, confetti, flower petals, smoke/fog machines, silly string, birdseed, potpourri, glitter, or any substance of that nature are prohibited.

For the comfort of other Park users, generators are not allowed.

Trees, plants, and fauna shall not be disturbed or installed.
Feeding or touching wildlife is prohibited.

Scooters, skateboards, and motor vehicles of any kind are prohibited on natural surface (hike and bike) trails, the Roy H. Cullen Timing Track, and the Seymour Lieberman Trail.

Staking items into the ground is not allowed at Memorial Park. Tents, hammocks, and umbrellas may be used, but must be on stands only. Attaching tape, nails, or stakes to anything within the Park, including trees, is prohibited.

To ensure the health of the Park ecology and the safety of other Park users, the following activities are prohibited:

Hunting or use of firearms, and unlicensed guns are not allowed in the Park.

Fishing, swimming, or watercrafts of any kind are not allowed at Hines Lake.

No gambling of any kind.

Use of equipment that causes any harm to the Park, such a tire-dragging.

Water activities such as dunking booths or ‘slip and slides’, water balloons, petting zoos or non-domestic animals, moonwalks or other inflatables.

No attaching anything to the exterior or interior of any Park property including trees—this includes tape, nails, staples, rope, or wires which can cause permanent changes or alterations.

TRAIL RULES

The Seymour Lieberman Trail is pedestrian only. NO BIKES.

When using the Park’s trail systems, stay on designated trails. Shortcutting the trail and bypassing muddy areas destroys vegetation, leads to erosion, reduces habitat quality, and causes unsightly damage. Remain respectful and courteous of other users.

PETS

Pets must remain on leash at all times. Owners must pick up after their pets.

FIRES & GRILLING

Fires must be contained in grills. Grills are available for use on-site, and personal charcoal grills are allowed (unless a burn ban is in effect). Fires may only be built for the purpose of food preparation and must be contained in grill. Use of propane requires a permit from the fire marshal.

Personal grills are allowed for use at Picnic Loop and Vale-Asche Playground only. If not reserved, on-site grills are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis. On-site grills are available at Picnic Loop and Clay Family Eastern Glades Picnic Pads and Pavilions. Personal grills are not allowed at Clay Family Eastern Glades.

SOUND & NOISE CONTROL

Be respectful of other Park users and nearby residents by keeping noise levels to a minimum. Users must adhere to the City of Houston noise ordinance. Amplified sound requires a permit. Memorial Park Conservancy staff are authorized to lower amplified sound if deemed too loud.

ACTIVITIES REQUIRING PERMITS

Vending and commercial activities, including professional photography, requires a permit.

Photography or film props exceeding hand-held size or lighting amendments are prohibited. Film and professional and/or commercial photography requires a Film and Photography Permit issued by Memorial Park Conservancy.

Marketing and advertising are prohibited without explicit permission from Memorial Park Conservancy.

Drone/aerial craft operation and aerial photography is prohibited without explicit permission from Memorial Park Conservancy.

The following items are prohibited without prior approval from the Memorial Park Conservancy:

Propane
Amplified sound and equipment
Distribution of food and alcohol

Please note that proof of permit, insurance, a fee, and/or a deposit may be required at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Any structures exceeding 800 square feet, portable stage, portable toilets, and any event exceeding 250 guests requires advance proof of insurance and permitting to Memorial Park Conservancy. On-site cooking or service from a commercial vendor requires advance proof of health certificate.

GROUP GATHERINGS

Certain areas of the Park are available for private rental. Groups or gatherings of 30 or more requires a permit. See Reservations to learn more and make a reservation.

Events that practice discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, gender, national origin, age, or condition of handicap are not permitted. Memorial Park Conservancy reserves the right to deny any event, activity or equipment in its sole and absolute discretion.

LAWN RULES

To help preserve the health of the lawn areas, the following are NOT permitted:

Volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, or other sports nets/goals

Organized events, sport games, or practices

Cleated shoes

Golfing/chipping
Staking, drilling, or hammering into the ground

Bicycles and skateboards must be walked on grass

DRONES

The use of drones is not allowed in any part of Memorial Park, unless explicitly authorized by the Memorial Park Conservancy.

CRAWFISH BOILS

Crawfish boils are not allowed in Memorial Park.

SMOKING & TOBACCO

Memorial Park strictly adheres to the City of Houston Smoking Ordinance and is smoke-free.

GROUP FITNESS VENDORS

All Group Fitness vendors must be permitted through Memorial Park Conservancy. Permits are granted through an application process.

Secure Your Spot! The Park Ball-Gala in the Glades 2026