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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.
2024 Awards Program
The 2024 awards program applications period is now closed. Award winners and other honorees will be recognized in a ceremony in 2025.
The 2024 Parks and Natural Areas Awards flyer and the 2024 Parks and Natural Areas Application Guide are available for reference.
Award applications will open in Fall 2025.
2023 Honorees
The 2023 Parks and Natural Areas Winners were honored on Friday, February 9, 2024.
City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD)
City of Houston Nature Preserve Ordinance is a 2023 winner in the Planning and Policy category.
Harris County Precinct 3
Harris County Precinct 3 Parks and Trails Master Plan is a 2023 winner in the Planning and Policy category.
City of Angleton
Lakeside park is a 2023 winner in the On-the-Ground Project Over $500K category.
City of Mont Belvieu
Hackberry Park Phase I is a 2023 winner in the On-the-Ground Project Over $500K category.
New Hope Housing
Reed Park at the Urban Prairie is the 2023 winner in the On-the-Ground Project Under $500K category.
Bayou Preservation Association
Clean Bayous Program: Pots for Plots Initiative is the 2023 winner in the Programming category.
City of League City
Clear Creek Master Plan received 2023 honorable mention recognition in the Planning and Policy category.
Alief ISD
Alief Jefferson Early Learning Center received 2023 honorable mention recognition in the On-the-Ground Project Over $500K category.
Howard Hughes
Chrysalis Lake received 2023 honorable mention recognition in the On-the-Ground Project Over $500K category.
Galveston Island
Beach Toy Borrow Boxes received 2023 honorable mention recognition in the On-the-Ground Project Under $500K category.
Harris County Precinct 3
Park Programs received 2023 honorable mention recognition in the Programming category.
City of Fulshear
Planning - Primrose Park received 2023 special recognition in the Planning and Policy category.
City of Kemah Economic Development
57-acre Nature Center received 2023 special recognition in the Planning and Policy category.
Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia
Harris County Precinct 2 Parks and Trails Plan received 2023 special recognition in the Planning and Policy category.
Missouri City Parks and Recreation
Missouri City Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Master Plan received 2023 special recognition in the Planning and Policy category.
North Houston District
North Houston District 2023 Parks Master Plan received 2023 special recognition in the Planning and Policy category.
Brazoria County Parks Department
San Luis Pass County Park Education Center & Multi-Use Renovation received 2023 special recognition in the On-the-Ground Project Over $500K category.
East Aldine Management District
East Aldine Town Center received 2023 special recognition in the On-the-Ground Project Over $500K category.
Bay City Parks and Recreation
Riverside Tree Give Away received 2023 special recognition in the On-the-Ground Project Under $500K category.
Chambers County
Restoration of Wetland and Native Grasses at Fort Anahuac Park received 2023 special recognition in the On-the-Ground Project Under $500K category.
Michael Lee
Texas AIDS Memorial Garden received 2023 special recognition in the On-the-Ground Project Under $500K category.
The Parish School
Oak Creek Exploration Zone at The Parish School received 2023 special recognition in the On-the-Ground Project Over $500K category.
City of Angleton Parks and Recreation
City of Angleton Parks and Recreation In-School Program received 2023 special 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
