Activating and Connecting Six Sites along Buffalo Bayou in the East Sector

SATURDAY, April 7, 2018

WHAT:
Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) recently launched a major planning effort to bring a new network of waterfront parks and open spaces along Buffalo Bayou’s East Sector, stretching from US 59 to the Port of Houston Turning Basin.  As part of the organization’s East Sector outreach, Buffalo Bayou Partnership is collaborating with students from the University of Houston Graphic Design and Creative Writing Programs to presentEncounter: Meeting Points on Buffalo Bayou on Saturday, April 7th.

View more progress photos and renderings here.

This afternoon event features site-specific, text-based installations at six locations along Buffalo Bayou’s East Sector.  Using the sites as inspiration and vehicles for content, the students created large scale typographic/text based messages/stories that activate and animate.  The installations express interpretations of the history, economy, resilience, culture and community values of the East Sector neighborhoods as they relate to the bayou and green spaces.

The public is invited to take self-guided tours of the installations and share ideas and opinions related to Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s future plans along the Bayou’s East Sector.  Participatory activities ranging from nature walks to boat tours will be offered at the sites and live entertainment and food trucks will be located at the North York Boat Launch site.

EastEndBikeRide will be leading a social pace bike ride to the event starting at D&W Lounge Milby St. in the East end at 1pm, rolling out at 1:30pm. All skill levels are welcome and don’t forget to bring a camera!

This event is made possible in part through the City’s Initiative Grant Program of the Houston Arts Alliance and is funded by the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts.

Visit buffalobayou.org for more information.

WHEN:  Saturday, April 7, 2018

WHERE:  Six locations along Buffalo Bayou’s East Sector:
Allen’s Landing – 1005 Commerce Street, 77002 (Pontoon boat tours)
Gravel Silos – 507 N. Nagle Street, 77003
Japhet Creek – 4600 Clinton Drive (at Emile Street), 77020 (Seed ball making)
BBP Field Office – 723 N. Drennan Street, 77003
Yolanda Black Navarro Buffalo Bend Nature Park – 2300 S. Sgt Macario Garcia Drive, 77011 (Bat chats)
North York Boat Launch – 808 N. York Street, 77003 (Kayak demonstrations and live entertainment/food trucks)

Local Vendors:

  • Chocolate Wasted Ice Cream
  • Boombox Taco Truck
  • LaMarco Food Truck
  • St. Arnold Brewing Company
  • Grit Grocery

Live Entertainment:

  • DJ FXBOXolmos
  • Maurice Stevens
  • Ruben Morales (Zydeco)

COST:  FREE (food and drinks for sale at the North York location)

TIME:  1-4pm

WHAT ELSE:
Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s goal for this planning project is to reclaim the waterfront for East Sector residents and create green spaces that will catalyze the equitable revitalization of their communities.

BBP is developing a plan that is based on:

  • Authenticity – Creating unique park spaces that reflect the cultural and industrial legacy of the East Sector
  • Connectivity – Rethinking how parks and neighborhoods interact by activating the waterfront and connecting them to surrounding neighborhoods
  • Inclusivity – Establishing a pioneering precedent where green space can catalyze equitable communities
  • Resiliency – Providing a sustainable waterfront model by limiting environmental or man-made risks while allowing them to adapt in an ever-changing city.