Discovery Green was a spread of downtown surface parking lots until 2004, when the city and a group of local philanthropies bought the land. The 12-acre park opened on April 13, 2008, designed by Hargreaves Associates, and an estimated $1 billion in towers, hotels and housing has gone up around it since. Kinder Lake covers more than an acre, with kayaking on the water and, each winter from November into February, an ice rink laid over its model boat basin. The Gateway Fountain throws 14-foot arcing jets across a sloping granite plaza where hundreds of kids cool off on summer days. In the gardens, Doug Hollis's Listening Vessels are two limestone parabolas that carry sound: speak softly into one and a friend at the other hears you. Look too for Margo Sawyer's Synchronicity of Color, 1,500 painted aluminum boxes at the garage exits, and Jean Dubuffet's Monument au Fantome. This fall the Houston Pumpkin Festival runs through November 8.
What to expect
- The garage under the park is closed for convention center work; use Avenida North.
- METRORail Green and Purple lines stop at Convention District, beside the park.
- Restrooms are on the south side of the Alkek Building, with family changing rooms.
- No bikes, scooters or skates inside the park; walk them through.
- No outside alcohol or glass; drinks are sold at The Grove and Park Provisions.
What to do
- Whisper across Doug Hollis's Listening Vessels in the gardens
- Run the kids through the Gateway Fountain jets (9 am-7 pm, 9 pm in summer)
- Skate on Kinder Lake when the winter rink is up (2025-26 tickets were $18 with skates)
- 12 acresSize
- April 13, 2008Opened
- 14 feet highFountain jets
- More than 1 acreKinder Lake