“They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot.” Nothing can be more true than the wise words once sung from Ms. Joplin’s mouth. Truth be told, when it comes to unused greenery, most large cities find it necessary to bulldoze it at once, and replace the once vibrant and oxygen-creating trees, with desolate and barren cement that houses vehicles that drive up carbon emissions. Is it me or does this seem a backward to you?
Houston is different. When a property that offered a promising return as a car lot because of its downtown location was offered for sale, visionaries in Houston ran the other direction! Rather, the city leaders proposed a much different plan for this central lot, which they later dubbed as Discovery Green.
The twelve acre, $122 million park in the heart of downtown Houston has suddenly reminded and rekindled a greener spirit in all urban planners alike. Year-round programming, such as exercise classes, concerts, films, festivals and a farmer’s market have helped boost attendance and popularity for the park. Appropriately, the park is completely earth-loving by recycling its water and waste and drawing 100% of its power from only renewable sources.
"Downtown hasn't been known as a place to come on the weekends, but now you see thousands of people, families, and kids from all parts of the city," says park director Guy Hagstette.
Discovery Green has proven time and time again that it can beat the test of time. After it avoided being replaced by a parking garage, it has now managed to ignore the weakening real estate market in which it’s surrounded. Which goes to show you, green always transcends gray. Have YOU helped save the world today?
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