Activating and Connecting Six Sites along Buffalo Bayou in the East Sector

SATURDAY, April 7, 2018

WHAT:

Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) recently launched a major planning effort to bring a new network of waterfront parks and open spaces along Buffalo Bayou’s East Sector, stretching from US 59 to the Port of Houston Turning Basin.  As part of the organization’s East Sector outreach, Buffalo Bayou Partnership is collaborating with students from the University of Houston Graphic Design and Creative Writing Programs to present Encounter: Meeting Points on Buffalo Bayou on Saturday, April 7^th.

This afternoon event features site-specific, text-based installations at six locations along Buffalo Bayou’s East Sector.  Using the sites as inspiration and vehicles for content, the students created large scale typographic/text based messages/stories that activate and animate.  The installations express interpretations of the history, economy, resilience, culture and community values of the East Sector neighborhoods as they relate to the bayou and green spaces.

The public is invited to take self-guided tours of the installations and share ideas and opinions related to Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s future plans along the Bayou’s East Sector.  Participatory activities ranging from nature walks to boat tours will be offered at the sites and live entertainment and food trucks will be located at the North York Boat Launch site.

This event is made possible in part through the City’s Initiative Grant Program of the Houston Arts Alliance.  Encounter:  Meeting Points on Buffalo Bayou is funded by the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts.

Visit buffalobayou.org for more information. View more photos here.

WHEN:  Saturday, April 7, 2018

WHERE:  Six locations along Buffalo Bayou’s East Sector:

Allen’s Landing – 1005 Commerce Street, Houston, TX 77002
Gravel Silos – 507 N. Nagle Street, Houston, TX 77003
Japhet Creek – 4600 Clinton Drive (at Emile Street), Houston TX 77020
BBP Field Office – 723 N. Drennan Street, Houston, TX 77003

Yolanda Black Navarro Buffalo Bend Nature Park – 2300 S. Sgt Macario Garcia Drive, Houston TX 77011

North York Boat Launch – 808 N. York Street, Houston, TX 77003

*Entertainment and food trucks

COST:  FREE (food and drinks for sale at the North York location)

TIME:  1-4pm

WHAT ELSE:

Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s goal for this planning project is to reclaim the waterfront for East Sector residents and create green spaces that will catalyze the equitable revitalization of their communities.

BBP is developing a plan that is based on:

• Authenticity – Creating unique park spaces that reflect the cultural and industrial legacy of the East Sector
• Connectivity – Rethinking how parks and neighborhoods interact by activating the waterfront and connecting it to surrounding neighborhoods
• Inclusivity – Establishing a pioneering precedent where green space can catalyze equitable communities
• Resiliency – Providing a sustainable waterfront model by limiting environmental or man-made risks while allowing them to adapt in an ever-changing city.

About Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Established in 1986, Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) is the non-profit organization transforming and revitalizing Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s most significant natural resource.  BBP’s geographic focus is the 10-square mile stretch of Buffalo Bayou from Shepherd Drive to the Port of Houston Turning Basin.  Thanks to the generous support of foundations, corporations, individuals and government agencies, BBP has raised and leveraged more than $150 million for the redevelopment and stewardship of the waterfront – spearheading award-winning projects such as Sabine Promenade and Sesquicentennial Park, protecting land for future parks, constructing hike and bike trails, and operating comprehensive clean-up and maintenance programs.  BBP recently completed the $58 million Buffalo Bayou Park project that includes major destinations, natural landscaping, footpaths, trail lighting, water features and pedestrian bridges.  Buffalo Bayou Partnership maintains and operates Buffalo Bayou Park, with annual funding provided by the Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) #3.  Buffalo Bayou Partnership also seeks ways to activate Buffalo Bayou through pedestrian, boating and biking amenities; volunteer activities; permanent and temporary art installations; and wide-ranging tours and events that attract thousands.  For more information, please visit www.buffalobayou.org.