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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 – Now Accepting Applications
H-GAC began accepting applications for the 2025 Parks and Natural Areas Awards on Monday, August 25.
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.
The deadline to submit your application is 3:00 pm on Tuesday, September 30.
How to Submit Your Application
All interested applicants must first complete the Awards Application registration form. After registering, you will be able to access the Application Portal to submit one or more applications.
All applicants must complete the registration form, even if you have applied in previous years.
2024 Honorees
The 2024 Parks and Natural Areas Winners and other honorees were 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.
Parks and Natural Areas Awards Winners
Since its inception, H-GAC's Parks and Natural Areas Awards have recognized outstanding practices across the Houston-Galveston region. With more than 200 entries since 2006, the projects serve as models for the rest of the region to consider.
Download Parks and Natural Areas Award Winners List
View Interactive StoryMap of Parks and Natural Areas Award Recipients
