Houston's Discovery Green Designated A Great Place In Texas

HOUSTON — Discovery Green, Houston's downtown destination, has been designated one of the great places in Texas. The announcement was made Monday by the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.

“Discovery Green has redefined the landscape of Downtown Houston – and serves as a global example of how to activate an urban downtown” said Doug McDonald, AICP, APA-Texas Chapter President. “The before and after transformation of Discovery Green is inspirational and the active programming, integration of arts, and unique design of the 12-acre park has helped established itself as the heartbeat of Houston.”

This year marks the third year of the Great Places in Texas program, which is modeled from the American Planning Association’s ongoing Great Places in America program.

Through Great Places in Texas, the Texas Chapter of APA recognizes unique and authentic characteristics found in three essential components of all communities — streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces.

Chet Garner, creator, producer, writer, and editor and host of the 7-time Lone Star Emmy Award
winning “The Daytripper” is the spokesperson for the program. The five other Great Places in Texas designees for 2019 are:

• Downtown Bastrop - Bastrop, Texas
• Downtown Nacogdoches – Nacogdoches, Texas
• Levitt Pavilion – Arlington, Texas
• San Jacinto Plaza – El Paso, Texas
• Hill Country Mile – Boerne, Texas

Representatives from the Discovery Green Conservancy and City of Houston were in Austin on Monday to accept the award as part of the American Planning Association – Texas Chapter’s Planners’ Day.

For more information about the 2019 Great Places in Texas, as well as a list of the Great Places in America designees located in the state, visit www.greatplacesintexas.com.

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