I went in search of the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park on my first evening in Houston. But wouldn’t it be a wonderful surprise if you accidentally found it while you were wandering around the business district? I love finding restful green spaces where I least expect them.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I headed for the park, and was pleased to see families and friends taking walks, picnicking, checking out the fountain, and sitting on benches beneath the oak trees.
Gerald D. Hines
You might be wondering why the park is called the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park. Mr. Hines, an engineer and real estate developer, originally planned the park as part of the landscape fronting Williams Tower. The city of Houston purchased the private park in 2009, turning it into a public space and naming it after Mr. Hines.
Williams Tower, originally named Transco Tower, is sixty four stories high and beautifully reflects the clouds and sky around it.
About Waterwall Fountain in Houston
Walking down the wide sidewalk that borders the long, rectangular grassy area, I could see and hear the man-made fountain in the distance. At sixty four feet in height (said to represent the 64 floors in Williams Tower), Waterwall Fountain is a stunning sight.
According to the Uptown Houston website, 11,000 gallons of recycling water flow down the front and back of the fountain every minute. That’s a lot of water!
Inside Waterwall Fountain
Passing through the arches, you can approach the center of the semi-circular fountain. The crashing sound and rapid movement of the water on three sides gave me a slight feeling of vertigo, but was refreshing at the same time. The light spray of water helped ease the oppressive heat and humidity, and I enjoyed seeing other visitors enjoying themselves, laughing and posing for pictures. I’ve posted a short video at the end of this post so you can experience the fountain yourself.
Behind Waterwall Fountain
Water cascades all the way around the fountain. Not only is it gorgeous and refreshing, but you can enjoy it from different perspectives.
According to the Uptown Houston website, it takes only three and a half hours for 80,000 gallons of water to recycle through the inner and outter filtration systems.
More Information about Waterwall Park in Houston
Address: 2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas, near the Galleria Mall and Texas Medical Center.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Rules include no skateboards or bicycles, no alcoholic beverages or glass bottles, no professional photography or live music without a permit, and dogs must be kept on leash. Please take a look at the full list on the Uptown Houston website.
Other websites of interest:
Wow, this is beautiful! I love running across green spaces in big cities.
Me too! Thanks C.L.
Amazing buildings! I love the waterfall building and it must be super cool during the hot summer months 😀