Houston’s MacGregor Park has been awarded a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior to support the park’s groundbreaking renovation project.  The grant comes from the department’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program, which provides funding to enhance parks in economically underserved communities.  The City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) and the Houston Parks Board (HPB) unveiled plans for the $54 million renovation project last year, following a $27 million donation from the Kinder Foundation and years of community feedback. This initiative, which is part of the 65-acre park’s master plan, aims to improve the quality of life for residents in Houston’s Third Ward neighborhood, reinforcing the park’s importance as a community hub.  “MacGregor Park has been an important greenspace in our community, and this investment underscores the City’s commitment to provide high-quality greenspaces to all Houstonians,” said Kenneth Allen, Director of HPARD, in a statement. “The planned renovations will not only preserve the park's rich legacy but also enhance its role as a vital hub for recreation, culture, and community connection.”  The master plan includes major improvements to the park, such as upgrading the Homer Ford Tennis Center with state-of-the-art tournament-hosting capabilities, and renovations to both the swimming pool and community center. The park's trail system will be extended by 1.25 miles, connecting it to the Bayou Greenways trail along Brays Bayou, which is part of a network of over 150 miles of trails throughout the city. Additionally, a new amphitheater will be built near the bayou for events and gatherings, along with an ADA-accessible playground.  The internationally acclaimed Hood Design Studio was selected to lead the project earlier this year. Design work is already underway, with construction set to begin late next year. Creative Director Walter Hood shared that the firm seeks to blend nature into the park’s design, incorporating native plants and other naturistic elements.   “Situating this park within nature is an aspect that many other parks in Houston have benefitted from, but to date, MacGregor has not,” Hood states. “Together, we are committed to creating a revitalized space that enhances MacGregor Park as a beloved community space, that is idiosyncratic, embraces difference, and tells a unique story.”  The $10 million grant brings the project’s public funding total to $24.5 million, bolstered by contributions from the City of Houston, its Tax Improvement Plan, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 7 and former U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. Generous donations have also been made by the Brown Foundation and Texas Children’s Hospital.   Learn more about Houston’s parks and green spaces. 

Houston Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) provides tailored professional development opportunities for the next generation of business and community leaders at member companies through unique, regular engagements throughout the year and a curated bimonthly newsletter geared towards building their skills and enhancing their leadership potential. Carly Bylund, Vice President at Frost Bank, and HYPE Champion. Bylund shares her insights on the value of HYPE for young professionals and recaps the latest HYPE Summit, an annual conference that connects HYPE members with Houston's top leaders How has your involvement with HYPE helped you build meaningful connections within Houston’s business community? Being a member of HYPE has been a wonderful way to stay connected to the Houston community. Since HYPE is a young professional group, it has been so beneficial to connect with like-minded people in similar career stages. HYPE has made meeting others easy, and it’s been a natural way to build my network. What do you find most valuable about being a HYPE Champion, and how does it motivate you to continue participating in events? As a HYPE Champion, I look forward to seeing familiar faces at every event. It is motivating to be surrounded by people committed to the opportunities Houston presents us with. There is such a diverse group of attendees to every HYPE event that I know I’ll leave each event learning something new about an industry, company, or even Houston itself. Can you share a memorable moment from a recent HYPE event that had a significant impact on your career or perspective on Houston's opportunities? The HYPE Summit was such a fun day! Having the opportunity to hear the stories and advice of successful Houston professionals is invaluable. I especially loved the breakout discussions, where we connected in small groups with each speaker. It was inspiring to hear from people like Trevor Best, CEO, Syzygy, Andrea Alexander, SVP and CHRO, Coterra and Steve Kean, President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership. How do you think HYPE’s diverse group of attendees contributes to your professional growth and understanding of different industries in Houston? The diversity of attendees at every HYPE event is something I truly value. It creates opportunities to learn something new about a different industry or company every time. I always leave these events with a broader perspective on Houston’s business landscape and new connections that contribute to my personal and professional growth. The HYPE Summit features insights from successful professionals. What was the most inspiring piece of advice or story you heard at the event? I enjoy hearing about people’s specific career paths and how they got to their current positions because success looks different for everyone. One of the most inspiring takeaways was how many opportunities there are for young professionals in Houston to become leaders as we transition across generations. Listening to entrepreneurs like Trevor Best and executives like Andrea Alexander and Steve Kean was truly inspiring. Their stories reminded me that success comes in many forms and often through unconventional paths. It has encouraged me to be open to new opportunities and to think more strategically about how I can shape my own career. HYPE events bring together people from a wide variety of industries. How have these interactions broadened your understanding of Houston’s economic landscape? Every HYPE event I attend broadens my understanding of Houston’s economic landscape. Meeting professionals from different sectors and learning about their companies opens my eyes to new possibilities. These interactions have been a great way to stay informed about what’s happening across industries in the city. Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in terms of future HYPE events and how they contribute to Houston’s thriving young professional community? I’m already looking forward to the next HYPE event! These gatherings are a great way to stay connected, learn from others, and grow my professional network. I’m excited about the future of HYPE because it keeps young professionals engaged and invested in Houston’s success, and that’s something I’m proud to be a part of. HYPE is a member-based program, to subscribe you must be employed at a current member company. Learn more about this program here.