Parks and Natural Areas Awards

H-GAC established the Parks and Natural Areas awards program in 2006 to highlight best practices and innovative approaches to parks planning and implementation. H-GAC honors projects in the categories of Projects Over $500,000, Projects Under $500,000, Planning Process and Policy Tools, and Programming.

This program recognizes outstanding parks and natural areas around the region. No funding is associated with this award program.

2025 Awards Program

The 2025 awards program applications period will open in the fall.

Check out the 2025 Parks and Natural Areas Awards flyer and the 2025 Parks and Natural Areas Application Guide for reference and to start preparing your applications.

2024 Honorees

The 2024 Parks and Natural Areas Winners and other honorees will be recognized in a ceremony on February 21, at H-GAC.

Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Japhet Creek Park is a 2024 winner in the On-the-Ground Projects Over $500K category.

Alief ISD - SPARK

Martin Elementary SPARK Park is a 2024 winner in the On-the-Ground Projects Under $500K category.

Houston Housing Authority: Third Ward - Cuney Homes Choice Neighborhood Initiative

Truxillo Pocket Park is a 2024 winner in the On-the-Ground Projects Under $500K category.

City of Rosenberg, Texas

Seabourne Creek Park Nature Center is a 2024 winner in the Planning and Policy category.

Houston Parks Board

Herman Brown Park Master Plan is a 2024 winner in the Planning and Policy category.

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones

Interpretive & Educational Experiences in Precinct 4 Parks is a 2024 winner in the Programming category.

Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy

Greenway Accessibility received 2024 honorable mention recognition in the On-the-Ground Projects Over $500K category.

Johnson Development Corporation

Wetlands Park at Riverstone received 2024 honorable mention recognition in the On-the-Ground Projects Over $500K category.

Art & Environmental Architecture, Inc., Kirk Farris, Founder

James Bute Park and Frost Town Historic Site received 2024 honorable mention recognition in the On-the-Ground Projects Under $500K category.

City of La Marque

City of La Marque Parks Master Plan received 2024 honorable mention recognition in the Planning and Policy category.

Timber Lane Utility District

Timber Lane Utility District 2024 Master Plan received 2024 honorable mention recognition in the Planning and Policy category.

City of La Marque

Arts in the Parks received 2024 honorable mention recognition in the Programming category.

City of Mont Belvieu

Hackberry Dog Park received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the On-the-Ground Projects Over $500K category.

City of Jersey Village

Jersey Meadow Berm and Street Drainage Improvement Project received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the On-the-Ground Projects Over $500K category.

City of Houston General Services Department / City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department

T.C. Jester Park Playground received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the On-the-Ground Projects Over $500K category.

Houston Parks Board

Vogel Creek Greenway received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the On-the-Ground Projects Over $500K category.

West University Place

Wier Park Improvements received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the On-the-Ground Projects Over $500K category.

City of Mont Belvieu

Deerfield Park received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the On-the-Ground Projects Under $500K category.

City of Mont Belvieu

Eagle Pointe Recreation Center Master Plan received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the Planning and Policy category.

Houston Parks and Recreation Department

Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s Water Management Plan received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the Planning and Policy category.

City of La Marque

Mahan Park Boat Ramp Expansion received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the Planning and Policy category.

The Woodlands Township

The Woodlands Township 2022 Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the Planning and Policy category.

Missouri City Parks & Recreation

Troxell Park Design received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the Planning and Policy category.

Harris County Precinct 2

Agents of Discovery received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the Programming category.

Harris County Precinct 2

Growing Resilience: Harris County's Towering Solution to Food Access Challenges received 2024 a certificate of recognition in the Programming category.