Memorial Park Conservancy

Memorial Park Conservancy is hiring! Come join our amazing team! #hiring #team #parks We're currently hiring for positions across our organization: - Controller - Volunteer Operations Corporate Coordinator - Volunteer Operations Technician - Conservation Horticulture Supervisor - Foundation and Corporate Relations Manager - Park Operations Technician - Park Operations Coordinator - Development Communications Coordinator https://lnkd.in/g69vBdwS

It was an honor to be both the venue and the beneficiary for last month's 8th Annual Hess Corporation Hess Houston Corporate 5K.????♀? Thanks to the event and the incredible spirit of our Houston business community, we are excited to announce that $125,000 was raised for Memorial Park Conservancy this year, which will help support the Conservancy's day-to-day operations! ?? We are so grateful for all who supported and participated. We can't wait for 2025!

This month marks the first anniversary of unveiling the Roy H. Cullen Timing Track and Event Plaza. Can you believe it has been open to the public for a WHOLE YEAR? The Running Complex is a project in the Memorial Park Ten-Year Plan and was delivered in partnership with Memorial Park Conservancy, Kinder Foundation, Houston Parks and Recreation - HPARD, and Uptown Houston. Find out more about the Ten-Year Plan: https://bit.ly/4hQKbYH Photos courtesy of G. LYON PHOTOGRAPHY, Inc.

??One year ago today, Memorial Park Conservancy had the honor of attending the ceremony where the U.S. Army officially set aside the convictions and court-martial records of 110 soldiers from the 24th Infantry Regiment. These soldiers served their country with bravery and dedication during the construction of Camp Logan, a World War I training facility that has now become Memorial Park. These African American Buffalo Soldiers had come to Houston to guard the construction of the 7,000 acre Camp Logan, where they faced racism and abuse in the context of the Jim Crow south. Following the events of August 23, 1917, 110 of these soldiers were unfairly tried, convicted and court-martialed in the aftermath of what was formerly known as the “Houston Mutiny and Riots of 1917.” Of these 110 soldiers, 19 were executed, and 63 were given life sentences in federal prison. On November 13, 2023, the Army announced that it made a grave mistake 106 years ago when these soldiers were wrongly convicted. The Army also announced, that as a learning institution that cares for its soldiers, they will honorably discharge each of the soldiers, provide benefits to their survivors and properly memorialize these 110 men. They honored that promise on February 22, 2024, during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas where the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration dedicated new headstones for 17 of the 19 unjustly executed soldiers. The headstones now show the soldiers’ ranks, signifying their dedication, leadership and commitment to duty. As stewards of Memorial Park, the Conservancy has worked diligently to truthfully convey the history of Memorial Park. For years, we have collaborated with the descendants of these soldiers, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum and others to tell the stories of the 24th Infantry Regiment. The Conservancy will convey this important history in our upcoming Memorial Groves project, which will honor all of those who served the war effort by training or serving at Camp Logan. Join the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum this evening for a community town hall to learn about the history of the Camp Logan Mutiny and discuss policing in Houston’s communities of color. Local historians, representatives from the Houston Police Department, museum staff and descendants of Camp Logan will be featured panelists. Find out more and save your seat by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3UFYwNu Photos Courtesy of US Army

Live at Live Oak, presented by H-E-B lit up Memorial Park once again with a spectacular Diwali celebration! The evening was filled with the sights and sounds of the Festival of Lights, bringing together an estimated crowd of more than 600 attendees to honor and learn more about this cherished cultural celebration. A huge thanks to our partners at H-E-B for helping make this event possible, and thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy a wonderful evening at the Park. Stay tuned for details about the next Live at Live Oak concert taking place January 25 to celebrate Lunar New Year! Find out more: https://bit.ly/3ZFl9oJ

Join the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum commemorating the one year anniversary of November 13, 2023, when the U.S. Army announced they would set aside the courts-martial convictions of the 110 Black Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment (also known as the Buffalo Soldiers), who were convicted following the Houston Riots of 1917. The town hall will focus on the history of the riots and discuss policing in Houston’s communities of color. Local historians, representatives from the Houston Police Department, museum staff and descendants of Camp Logan will be featured panelists. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required! Save your seat: https://bit.ly/3UFYwNu When: November 13 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Where: Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, 3816 Caroline St. Houston, TX 77004

Memorial Park Conservancy employees have been taking part in Heartsaver CPR, AED & First Aid Training session through Saving Hands CPR. ?? This important certification from the American Heart Association equips our team with with the knowledge and confidence to respond in emergencies both inside and outside the workplace. ?? We are grateful for this opportunity to better serve our community!

Memorial Park Conservancy wants to extend a special thank you to everyone who made Urban Wild's Glow a night to remember. Thank you to our presenting sponsor Williams for making this night possible! From the tricks of magician Bud Kula to the treats at the candy bar, and the tarot card readings from Psychic for Love Anna Fields to the refreshing beer from our friends at Eureka Heights Brewing Co., the evening was filled with unique experiences! The Cullen Running Trails Center and Event Plaza was transformed into an immersive Halloween experience where costumed party-goers danced the night away to the musical stylings of DJ Johnny J and posed for the spinning 360 photo booth, courtesy of FLASHBAR ACTIVATIONS. The night had something for everyone! Glow is not just an exciting networking event, but a party for your Park! Your participation at events like Glow directly contributes to the critical care and maintenance of this iconic 1,500-acre urban greenspace. Find more opportunities to get involved and support Memorial Park Conservancy on our website: https://bit.ly/3YA7ZXV

This week is bittersweet as our outgoing President & CEO, Shellye Arnold, bids farewell to the Conservancy. After more than eleven years of exceptional service, Shellye has chosen to step down from her position to focus on family priorities. Starting November 1, Shellye becomes President Emeritus, and we are proud to announce that Chris Ballard, our Chief Operating Officer, becomes Interim President & CEO. Shellye's impact on Memorial Park and the Conservancy has been profound. Under her leadership, the organization successfully completed five significant Master Plan projects that transformed Memorial Park, including the Clay Family Eastern Glades, the Kinder Land Bridge and Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Prairie and the Running Complex. During Shellye’s tenure, the Conservancy expanded from a small team to a thriving nonprofit organization with nearly 70 employees, raising over $135 million for park improvements. These accomplishments have greatly enhanced the Park’s offerings and infrastructure, benefiting the entire Houston community and establishing a national benchmark for urban forest and park revitalization. During a staff luncheon on Monday, the Conservancy team said a heartfelt farewell to Shellye. While we will truly miss the energy and dedication that she has contributed to the Park on a daily basis, we’re thankful for her decade of leadership. As she passes the baton in this centennial year, Chris and the MPC Leadership Team stand ready to carry the baton into the Park’s second century. Read the full announcement to learn more about Shellye’s departure and what’s next for the Conservancy’s leadership: https://bit.ly/4e7Vade

Last week, Memorial Park Conservancy had the pleasure of participating in the Hess Houston Corporate 5K! Memorial Park Conservancy employees took part in the race and cheered on the runners and walkers. We also handed out free swag from our tent in the hospitality village! It is an honor to be both the venue and beneficiary of this annual event that brought over 10,000 people to the Park this year. Thank you to everyone who came out!