Discovery Green to mark 15th anniversary with 'quinceañera': 'It’s more than just a park'

One of the most popular parks in the City of Houston is going to mark a major milestone next month. 

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that Discovery Green in Downtown Houston will hold a celebration on May 7 from noon to 7 p.m. for its 15th birthday.

Born out of what used to be a parking lot for the adjacent George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB), Discovery Green is the brainchild of a public-private partnership between city hall and the nonprofit Discovery Green Conservancy (DGC). 

The green space’s website said that it welcomed its first batch of visitors in April 2008, and since then, has hosted tens of millions of locals and tourists in addition to numerous events annually. 

Discovery Green was just in the national spotlight when it hosted the March Madness Music Festival during the Final Four of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball tournament earlier this month.

Per KHOU, the DGC bills the upcoming birthday bash a “quinceañera,” or a celebration of a girl's 15th birthday in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries.

Attendees will be treated to cultural performances, a dog costume party, a free yoga class and even entertainment from mariachi bands at the park’s Jones Lawn, the station reported.

Discovery Green’s actual birthday is April 13, the date in 2008 when the park opened.

"Since opening in 2008, Discovery Green has transformed into an iconic and vital part of life in Houston," management wrote online. “For millions who enjoy its vibrant green space, it’s more than just a park – it’s a place where they can find joy, spend time with others and experience the best of Houston’s diverse traditions." 

Sitting on 12 acres of land, Discovery Green is located at 1500 McKinney St., surrounded by La Branch Street to the west, McKinney Street to the north, Avenida de las Americas to the east and Lamar Street to the south.