FALL 2010 PARKSIDE HERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY NEWSLETTER White Oak Studio
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FALL 2010 PARKSIDE HERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY NEWSLETTER White Oak Studio 1 In the Park This rendering 2 illustrates the From the Executive Director planned Grand 3 Gateway renovation New Board Leadership looking from the Mecom Fountain 4 – 5 Evening in the Park toward the Sam Houston Monument. 6 Remembering Bill Coats 7 Conservation Posse 8 A Night at the Races New Signage 9 Interns Make a Difference in the park 10 HPC Visitor Services Department TxDOT Approves 11 Nearly $3 Million for Park Renovations Upcoming Events PWL Studio The City of Houston and Hermann Park The improvements made possible by this EVENING IN THE PARK Conservancy (HPC) were approved in funding will include beautiful gardens, Photos inside late July 2010 to receive nearly $3 million walkways, benches, bike racks, and attractive through a program administered by the lighting. The Grand Gateway, the landmark Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). location featured on many a Houston Part of $76 million designated for beauti- postcard over the last century, was once the fication and enhancement projects across site of well-manicured sunken gardens, a the state, the funding will finance the look referenced in the conceptual design by renovation of the Grand Gateway, Hermann White Oak Studio. Limestone planter beds MISSION Park’s historic entrance from the Mecom will also tie into the historic beds around the Hermann Park Fountain to the Sam Houston Monument, Sam Houston Monument. and the adjacent stretch of land flanked by Conservancy is a In order to receive the TxDOT funding, Fannin and Main streets extending to the the Conservancy must raise 20% of the citizens’ organization Texas Medical Center. $3.75 million total required for the project. dedicated to the As drivers and METRORail riders can Therefore, HPC will continue its fundraising stewardship and see, this highly utilized area featuring the efforts to secure enough private donations to meet this requirement. Donor funding improvement of majestic Main Street Live Oaks is sorely in need of rejuvenation. Made treacherous will be directed toward leveraging this 4 to Hermann Park— by busy street traffic, broken sidewalks, 1 match by TxDOT, as well as establishing a today and for and a lack of lighting, the area is hardly dedicated maintenance fund to ensure the area’s long-term care. generations to pedestrian friendly, while poor irrigation and a lack of landscape design give the For information about supporting this project, come. impression that it has been forgotten contact Meghan Miller at 713-524-5876 more than celebrated. ext. 339 or [email protected]. www.hermannpark.org PARKSIDE / FALL 2010 DONORS from the executive director from Grand Gateway As you read through this issue of Parkside, you’ll see we’ve $250,000-$500,000 The William Stamps Farish Fund had a busy and exciting summer! The Conservancy’s efforts $5,000-$9,999 Ray C. Fish Foundation - In memory to restore and maintain the Park are still going strong, and of Nancy Attwell, Jack Collier, Wayne Duddlesten, Dan Duncan, we are enthusiastically planning for upcoming Centennial Francis Fendley, Roger Jenswold, Campaign projects as we reach ever closer to 2014 when Nancy Prior, Weldon Weekley, and Phoebe Welsh the Park turns 100. Studio PWL $1,000-$4,999 Sharon and Cecil Griffin River Oaks Blossom Club These changes seen all around the Park would not be possible without Japanese Garden $10,000-$24,999 the incredibly successful public-private The Japan-America Society of partnership between the City of Houston, Inc. Houston and the Conservancy. Lake Plaza Together, we have raised more than In Kind $40 million for Hermann Park— Overland Partners Architects an amazing feat which could only Reforestation / Horticulture be achieved through collaboration. and Maintenance $500-$999 The recent funding of nearly $3 million John E. Walsh, Jr. approved by the Texas Transportation $100-$499 Commission (described on page 1) is Native Plant Society Houston an immense triumph for Hermann Plant a Tree Park. The Conservancy is grateful to $100-$499 several individuals who helped make Gracia and Robert Duncan - In honor of Rosemarie and Matt Johnson this funding possible, including Ned Mary Nugent - In honor of Hinda Simon Holmes and Terri Kaplan of TxDOT; Ann and Don Short - In memory of Mack Fowler, Deborah January-Beavers, Dun Gifford Ann Lents, Dick Weekley, and Ed Wulfe Kitty and Peter Quinn - In memory of Evening in the Park honoree Mary A. Walker of the Quality of Life Coalition; HPC Peter Brown and Doreen Stoller In Kind board members Sanford Criner, Hannah Native Grasses, Inc. Kenny Friedman, Linda Hunsaker, Rotary Grove Ann Kennedy, and Jimmy Robertson; As we look forward to fall and the $5,000-$9,999 and Meghan Miller, HPC major exciting plans before us, I’d like to John Lawler, Katherine and James gifts manager. thank the Conservancy’s past board Sides, Richard Sides, and Rob Sides - chair, Tom Downing, for his infectious In memory of Peggy and Bob Sides The Conservancy has worked closely enthusiasm and strategic efforts to set $500-$999 with the City of Houston on improve- River Oaks Rotary Charitable Trust the stage for a successful 2011 fiscal ments in the Park, and Hermann Park year. There is much to be done, and Membership is lucky to have dedicated members Platinum ($500-$2,499) with Ann Kennedy at the helm and of City Council on its side. Peter Lee and Bob Ardell several talented new board members, Brown, 2010 Evening in the Park Susan Garner we anticipate great things to come! Elizabeth A. Germani honoree, is known for his dedication G.G. Hsieh and Mark Hausknecht to urban planning and support of To all our donors, volunteers, and Dr. and Mrs. William W. Ishee, Jr. green spaces as a public official and Kate McConnico - In honor of supporters, thank you for your Ruth McConnico an architect. He has been a huge continued support of Hermann Park. Mary and Terry Murphree proponent of the Conservancy’s work, We could not do it without you. Kay and Robert Onstead and we were pleased to honor his Kitty and Peter Quinn commitment to the Park this year. See you in the Park! The Chris Reichert Family Mary and Brian Rollins Gabriela Rondon and Sergio Giralt Marisue and George Tallichet Susan and Wil Uecker Cheryl and James Watson Sallie and Bob Wright 2 DONORS HERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY Gold ($250-$499) William Boyer Frances and Oskar Cerbins The Conservancy Welcomes Debra and Stephen Costello Linda and Mark Egan New Board Leadership Stacy and Scott Humphries Harriet and Truett Latimer PWL Studio 1. downtown revitalization projects, Dana Levy and Neil Kelly Ann Kennedy, HPC board including Minute Made Park, Judy and James Nicklos Louis H. Skidmore, Jr. - In honor of member since 2007, will lead the Reliant Stadium, and Toyota Margaret C. Skidmore Conservancy as its board chair. Arena. As a longtime Hermann Lynn and Mike Smith After obtaining her MBA from Park user, he still can be seen on The Southampton Group Harvard, she returned to Houston the jogging trail in the mornings. Lucie Wray Todd and pursued a wide ranging Eleanor and Richard Viebig 1 business career in strategic 5. Marilyn Wolfe-Kirk - In honor of Matthew Joe Nelson was the president of Wolfe, Rice MBA Graduate 2010 PWL Studio planning, private equity, and Houston Endowment for 15 years, Silver ($100-$249) mergers and acquisitions. Ann James S. Alley, Jr. served full time as the executive having served a total of 31 years. Karen and Everett Anschutz director/CEO of the Houston Since his retirement in 2005, Sherry Applewhite Symphony from 2001-2005 and he has worked part-time as a Roger I. Basu continues to serve on a number development consultant with Karen V. Bentsen Harriet C. Latimer & Associates Sandra Bernhard of community boards. She is 2 assisting with capital campaigns Louise and Charles Berry deeply committed to Hermann Russell D. Brightwell Park, which she has enjoyed for for local nonprofits, while also Patsy Cravens over twenty years, starting with serving on several volunteer Francoise and Ed Djerejian hundreds of train rides with her boards. As a fourth-generation Judith and Frank Douglas son when he was young. native Houstonian, Joe has Susan M. Edwards enjoyed Hermann Park with his Andrea and David Faulkinberry Alice Gates 2. family since he was a young boy. Karen and Larry George Brent Friedman is an owner of Paula Hix 3 Park Lane Companies, residential 6. Olive and Lynn N. Hughes construction and commercial Michael Trevino is the The Keeling Family PWL Studio real estate firms. He grew up managing partner of Reputation Elayne and Demo Kouzounis near Hermann Park, and moved Management Associates and Alicia Kowalchuk and Benjamin Saldana Trevino & Company, both Gwen Kunz back to the neighborhood after Stephanie and Ed Larsen business school and frequently consulting services. Though a Little Thinkers Day Care and picnics here with his family. Brent native of San Antonio, Michael Learning Center is starting his third term with the and his family have lived in The Lorenz Family 4 HPC board after spending two Houston since 1997. His interest Adah and Michael Mahon in Hermann Park is to protect Shannon and James Mann years on the advisory board. Gittings and enhance this valuable Miriam and Jack Meyers Karol and Dan Musher 3. natural resource for all visitors— David Newton and Billy Merryman Christine Liang is a partner at Texans and guests—to enjoy JoAnn Peeks and Allan Ring Bridgeway Capital Management for another 100 years. Eula and Levi Perry on the Investment Management Margaret and Michael Pierce Team. A native Houstonian, 7. Pam and Jim Pool Christine’s memories of Hermann Dan Wolterman is the Phillip Sun 5 president and CEO of Memorial Cynthia and Allan Tang Park span from riding the train Michele Thompson as a toddler to frequent visits Hermann Healthcare System.