Levy Park Photos & Descriptions of Fantastic Houston Playground

People living in Houston have the generous philanthropist Leon Levy to thank for his generosity in donating land to the City of Houston for what is now the amazing and fantastic Levy Park named in his honor.  The park is slightly less than 6 acres in size.

Locals who live in the area remember when it was a baseball field.  It was also a dog park and at one time had a swimming pool.  A small dog park remains but the rest of the recreational area is unrecognizable from earlier days!

The Upper Kirby District Foundation which is a non-profit charity dedicated to improving the quality of life for people funded the whopping 15 million dollar budget for the major renovations and improvements which have taken place.

The dog park area is separated into areas for small and large dogs.  Astro turf is used over man made mounds and makes for easy cleanup.  A few benches are provided for people watching their dogs play off leash.

Chairs and tables abound all throughout Levy Park.  But available seating does not end there.  Curved benches are installed around many of the trees within the park providing nice shaded areas on sunny days.

Speaking of trees…many trees were saved when creating this park and some were even relocated here.

Local graffiti artist Mario Enrique Figueroa, Jr. who signs his work GONZO247 has a colorful mural in the center of a wall defining one edge of the park.  He is well known locally as well as internationally.  You can see more of his work and learn more about him and his Aerosol Warfare Crew by clicking here.

Closeup of Mural by GONZO247 in Levy Park

I wonder if more murals by other artists will eventually enhance this wall?  I guess time will tell!

Native landscaping is used throughout the park and will become more lush and abundant as time passes.  A large community garden has been created on one end of the park.  In the children’s play area raised beds of fresh herbs enhance that area.

A large lawn area provides space for kids and adults to have some fun or just plain relax.  People can spread out blankets and have picnics.  Kids can assemble large lego-like pieces and make creative shapes using them.  Regular classes such as Tai Chi and Yoga among others are held here.  It is a wonderful event lawn space.  I took these photos on a weekday.  On weekends this recreational gathering place is packed with people.

A fenced area bordering the children’s play area makes it a bit easier for parents to keep an eye on their kids as they run about and play.

Most of the children’s play area within the fenced area has soft and colorful cushioned padding.  This would buffer the effects of any mishaps or falls.

There are so many different things to enjoy within the children’s play area of Levy Park.

An elevated boardwalk and observation deck gives one a fun and different perspective of what there is to do within the park.  Even handicapped individuals can enjoy this birds eye view of Levy Park.  Nice!!!

It is fun watching kids climb up that giant sphere, playing on the merry go rounds and cooling off under the water feature.  Looking down from the elevated boardwalk outside of the gated children’s area the merrymaking opportunities continue.

There is foosball, ping pong tables and a small putting green available for use.  Other amenities are also provided.  People can help themselves to books or magazines to peruse while enjoying the outdoor ambiance.

In this same area of the park are carts filled with art equipment and also games.  People get to use what is available.  From crayons to board games there is much to enjoy!

We saw several mothers with children doing some coloring projects on paper.  There are even child sized tables and chairs.

No one was using the putting green or tossing bean bags when I took these photographs.  The first time we saw Levy Park was on a Saturday.  My hubby and I had just done some shopping at the Eastside Farmer’s Market which is only one block distant.  Both venues were filled to the brim with people!

Mini golf putting course in Levy Park

A performance amphitheater along with year round programing will have people returning to this Houston city park over and over again.  Clean restrooms are on site.  Sometime in 2018 Chef Tim Love will be operating 3 different restaurants in this park which will entice even more people to come and enjoy it.

Balls strung with electric lights hung from trees in Levy Park

My husband and I were really impressed with this amazing mixed use environment within the city limits of Houston.

The lighting at night is reported to be very beautiful.

Many ornament-like round balls strung with lights are hung from trees.  Those plus other types of illumination would create a lovely evening atmosphere.

Perhaps sometime we will drive back into the city at night to attend some function or sample the menu from one of the restaurants when they open to the public.

From what we have seen the Upper Kirby Management District is doing a lovely job of maintaining Levy Park for the City of Houston.  Some of the wooden walkways were still being replaced with concrete pavers on the day of our visit.  That work will soon be completed.

This amazing playground should please all age groups of people long into the future.

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