Harris County, TX — On November 14, Commissioners Court unanimously approved an amendment to the Interlocal Agreement between Harris County and the City of Houston to transition the full operation and maintenance of Freed Park to Precinct 4. This change will allow Precinct 4 to renovate park facilities and provide new community programs and green spaces for families in the area, doubling down on Commissioner Briones’ drive to advance opportunity and improve the quality of life for her constituents. 

Located in the Spring Branch East area of Harris County Precinct 4, Freed Park is an approximately 15-acre park with a half-mile walking trail, playground, numerous picnic areas, a community center, and a community garden. Precinct 4 will now oversee full operation of the facilities and programming within the community center, while continuing to maintain the park’s greenspaces. Precinct 4 will continue to offer community rentals, weekly classes, and activities for residents. 

 

In addition to operating the park and its facilities, Precinct 4 will develop a master plan for capital improvements to Freed Park, with a long-term vision that includes upgraded facilities and additional programming for seniors, youth, and persons of all abilities.

 

As part of Commissioner Briones’ continued community engagement efforts, Precinct 4 will solicit feedback from residents and stakeholders of Spring Branch East throughout the master planning process to ensure any future improvements are grounded in community buy-in.

 

“I am grateful for our partnership with Mayor Sylvester Turner and Council Member Amy Peck and appreciate our shared commitment to best leveraging tax dollars to maximize public good,” said Commissioner Briones. “I am energized to engage with the community to help bring their ideas to fruition. We are dedicated to revitalizing Freed Park to reach the high standards of the community and ensure that all residents have equitable access to greenspace.”

 

The acquisition of Freed Park comes on the heels of Precinct 4’s planned revitalization of Burnett Bayland Park in the Gulfton community and the commencement of a master plan for Bayland Park. Commissioner Briones continues to prioritize and uplift parks and other green spaces where all families can have access to safe, high-quality, all-inclusive communal spaces. 

 

“We understand that additional parks and greenspaces benefit community building, individuals’ physical and mental health, environmental conservation, and improved quality of life for our residents,” said Commissioner Briones. “By bringing Freed Park into the Precinct 4 portfolio, we can provide additional County resources to our and the City of Houston’s shared constituents and keep elevating our parks to the high standard our families deserve.”

 

With the addition of Freed Park, Precinct 4 now oversees 56 parks, 9 community centers, and over 13,000 acres of greenspace.

“Today’s partnership agreement with Commission Briones underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional parks and recreational amenities for our citizens," said Mayor Sylvester Turner. "I am proud to serve the great city of Houston, known nationally as a greenspace leader, and look forward to the improvements this agreement will provide to Freed Park."