Houston holds ceremony for renovated Hartman Park, 'the center of life here in this community'

The city recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new playground at Hartman Park.

The park, which was renovated, is located in the city’s east side Manchester Neighborhood located at 9311 E Avenue P.

New features to the park include colorful playgrounds for children ages two to five and five to 12, multiple swings and spinners, ramps and walks, a new bike track and new playground surfacing, along with a detention pond.

Improvements to the park were made possible by bond funds from the city, along with monetary gifts from the Valero Energy Foundation.

The Valero Energy Foundation donated over $600,000 in grants for the park’s overhaul and partnered with Houston Parks & Recreation Department, and the Houston Parks Board, for the restoration project.

Community Relations Manager for the Valero Houston Refinery Michael Walter said that it was important for the company to give back to the community.

“Hartman Park is the center of life here in this community,” Walter said. “After hearing from our neighbors, it became clear this was a much-desired improvement. The families in Manchester deserve a fun, safe, attractive park. Valero is committed to enhancing the quality of life in this area through safe, environmentally responsible operations, as well as being a good neighbor.”

Valero is also pledging to additional park enhancements through volunteer resources and in-kind maintenance.

Houston mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted that he was delighted to be joined by local councilman Robert Gallegos and Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-Houston).  

"We can not have a complete city without having the greenspace and parks that go right along with it," Turner said.

Hartman is the first park to benefit from Turner's program to create equity in complete communities and neighborhood parks citywide.

The park is a key community gathering place and the redesign project took over a year to complete.