Houston, TX – A 12-acre park dedicated in downtown Houston April 13 provides show managers with new outdoor event space as well as a place where they can get away from the bustle of the exhibit floor for a few minutes. Mayor Bill White cut the ribbon at Discovery Green, located across the street from the George R. Brown Convention Center, to mark the end of an 18-month, $122 million project. The park was developed on what had been privately owned green space acquired by the city in 2004.
Billed as the new front yard for the convention center, Discovery Green is a public park that is also available to show organizers for use as pre-function and classroom space. “We have a strong relationship with Discovery Green,” said Luther Villagomez, general manager of the convention center. “Their staff is virtually an extension of our staff, and that helps us take care of clients on a personal level.”
A major feature of the park is its ability to host receptions on a two-acre (87,000 square feet) space known as Jones Lawn. There is also a 1,000-seat amphitheatre with stage suitable for classroom-type presentations and concerts.
For unofficial getaways, the park includes a jogging trail, Wi-Fi service and a regular schedule of music, art displays and exercise sessions. The park is also a short walk to downtown restaurants and would make a rendezvous point for colleagues who have dinner plans together. The Grove, an upscale Schiller Del Grande restaurant with a rooftop bar, is located on the park grounds.
Reach Luther Villagomez at (713) 853-8036 or luther.villagomez@cityofhouston.net; Gary Hernandez, for rental of park space, at (713) 400-7336 gary@discoverygreen.com
