Walkability is a key factor in determining the popularity of a city. At more than double the square miles of New York City, Houston has less than one-third of the population. It is a sprawling city, highly dependent upon the automobile for personal transportation. However, Houston is fairly affordable for a large city and has numerous fabulous attractions including their much loved Hermann Park.
At the turn of the 20th century, Houston was fortunate to have civic leaders who had the vision and the wherewithal to create Hermann Park. This 445-acre park is large enough to contain multiple attractions without feeling cramped. There is an amphitheater for performances. A serene Japanese garden allows Zen-like contemplation as you stroll its paths. Water is a recurring theme with a lake with paddle boats, as well as fountains and meandering streams with lovely pedestrian bridges to enhance your walk. There is a multi-story mound with a spiral walk, which takes you to a viewing platform of the park below. As you traverse up or down the spiral, you keep passing over a cascading waterfall. If you tire of walking, you can take a mini-passenger train, which circles the park or hop on the carousel and ride not only horses bobbing up and down but cats, pigs, dolphins, or hummingbirds. You can choose your ride.
George H. Hermann, for whom the park is named, fought on the Confederate side during the Civil War. Later he made his fortune in real estate, cattle, and oil. He not only donated the land for Hermann Park, but also much of his estate to help pay for the park. His vision included establishing Rice University, world-class museums, and medical facilities along the perimeter of the park. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Museum of Natural Science are both fabulous places to spend time and learn. These institutions and the neighborhoods hug the park and make it a place you could spend days exploring and never need a car. Hermann Park and the surrounding area provide the walkability and natural space that makes it a great asset for citizens and visitors alike.
Take a walk with Birkenstock.
