{"id":316,"date":"2012-06-30T18:06:15","date_gmt":"2012-06-30T18:06:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.websitefix.net\/clients\/Generic\/?page_id=316"},"modified":"2020-01-23T20:21:20","modified_gmt":"2020-01-23T20:21:20","slug":"parks-nature","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/HoustonTX3\/?page_id=316","title":{"rendered":"Parks & Nature"},"content":{"rendered":"

SPORTS & RECREATION \/ PARKS & NATURE
\n<\/b><\/strong>
\nNature Centers
\n<\/b><\/strong>
\nArmand Bayou Park & Nature Center<\/b><\/strong>
\nHouston 281-474-2551
\nwww.abnc.org<\/a>
\nOne of the few native preserves in the nation, the park protects over 370 animal species and enjoys a prime location on a major migratory North American flyway. Nature trails, boat tours, and glimpses of the turn-of-the-century farm are just a few of the attractions to this popular center.<\/p>\n

Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge
\n<\/b><\/strong>Angleton 979-964-4011
\nwww.fws.gov\/refuge\/big_boggy<\/a>
\nHabitat for migratory birds and other waterfowl includes 4,100 acres of coastal prairies and salt marshes, with three large saltwater lakes and three freshwater impoundments.<\/p>\n

Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
\n<\/b><\/strong>Angleton 979-922-1037
\nwww.fws.gov\/refuge\/brazoria<\/a>
\nProtected, quality habitat for migrating birds and other fowl covers a vast 40,000 acres that includes saline and non-saline prairies, salt and mud flats, fresh and salt marshes, saltwater lakes, and a freshwater stream.<\/p>\n

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
\n<\/b><\/strong>Houston 713-681-8433
\nhttps:\/\/houstonarboretum.org\/<\/a>
\nThree major habitats are available for exploration and nature study at the arboretum: the forest, the pond, and the meadow.<\/p>\n

Jesse Jones Park & Nature Center<\/b><\/strong>
\nHouston 281-446-8588
\nhttps:\/\/www.hcp4.net\/parks\/jjp\/<\/a>
\nNatural beauty and history combine in a unique setting along the banks of Spring Creek. The park opens a window into the vast floodplain forest habitat of southeastern Texas. Diverse ecosystems include ancient cypress bogs, natural white-sand beaches, and wildflower meadows.<\/p>\n

Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
\n<\/b><\/strong>Houston 713-274-4160
\nhttps:\/\/www.hcp4.net\/parks\/mercer\/<\/a>
\nOver 250 acres of East Texas piney woods showcase the region’s largest collection of native and cultivated plants. The east side features the botanical gardens, while the west end offers the arboretum, outdoor classroom, picnic areas and walking trails.<\/p>\n

San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
\n<\/b><\/strong>Angleton 979-964-3639
\nwww.fws.gov\/refuge\/san_bernard<\/a>
\nMigratory birds and other fowl are protected in 28,000 acres of coastal prairies, salt and mud flats, saltwater and freshwater ponds, a stream, and a grove of trees.<\/p>\n

Regional Parks & Recreation
\n<\/b><\/strong>
\nCity of Houston<\/b><\/strong>
\nParks & Recreation 832-395-7000
\nwww.houstontx.gov\/parks\/index.html
\n<\/a>
\nCity of Baytown Parks
\n<\/b><\/strong>Parks & Recreation 281-420-6597
\nwww.baytown.org\/city-hall\/departments\/parks-recreation<\/a>
\nOver 730 acres of parks, wildlife refuge areas, and outdoor recreational facilities include miles of trails, tennis courts, sports facilities, and regional attractions.<\/p>\n

City of Bellaire
\n<\/b><\/strong>Parks & Recreation 713-662-8280
\nwww.bellairetx.gov\/673\/Parks-Recreation-and-Facilities<\/a>
\nThe well-equipped recreation center serves the entire community and anchors a wide variety of sports facilities, classes, events, and programs for all ages.<\/p>\n

City of Galveston
\n<\/b><\/strong>Parks & Recreation 409-797-3700
\nwww.galvestontx.gov\/169\/Parks-Recreation<\/a>
\nParkways, lush parks, and recreation centers combine to provide residents of the Galveston area with first-rate facilities and spaces of natural beauty.<\/p>\n

City of Pasadena
\n<\/b><\/strong>Parks & Recreation 713-475-7048
\nhttps:\/\/www.pasadenatx.gov\/150\/Parks-Recreation<\/a>
\nActivities, classes, and programs combine with outstanding facilities from parks with fishing ponds to sports centers, swimming pools, and golf courses.<\/p>\n

Harris County Parks
\n<\/b><\/strong>http:\/\/www.harriscountytx.gov\/Visitors\/Harris-County-Parks\/More-Harris-County-Parks<\/a>
\nThroughout Harris County, residents can access wonderful parks and nature centers that provide a wealth of opportunity for relaxation, adventure, special programs, and exercise. This large county divides its parks into precincts for better management of these premier facilities.<\/p>\n

Fort Bend County Parks
\n<\/b><\/strong>281-835-9419
\nwww.fortbendcountytx.gov\/government\/departments\/county-services\/parks-and-recreation<\/a>
\nResidents enjoy 8 parks and 4 community centers that provide a wide range of facilities close to home.<\/p>\n

State Parks & Forests
\n<\/b><\/strong>
\nW. Goodrich Jones State Forest<\/b><\/strong>
\nConroe District Office
\n936-273-2261
\nhttps:\/\/tfsweb.tamu.edu\/<\/a>
\nLocated in Montgomery County, this forest covers 1,733 acres to offer opportunities for bird watching, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and biking. Two small lakes are available for limited fishing.<\/p>\n

Texas Parks & Wildlife
\n<\/b><\/strong>State Parks Division
\nAustin 512-389-4800
\nPark Information 800-792-1112
\nhttps:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/<\/a><\/p>\n

State Parks, Region 4
\n<\/b><\/strong>LaPorte 281-456-8266
\nhttps:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/<\/a><\/p>\n

State Parks by Activities<\/b><\/strong>
\nhttps:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/state-parks\/parks\/things-to-do<\/a><\/p>\n

Fishing in Texas
\n<\/b><\/strong>https:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/fishboat\/fish<\/a><\/p>\n

Houston Area State Parks
\n<\/b><\/strong>
\nGalveston Island State Park<\/b><\/strong>
\n14901 FM 3005
\nGalveston 409-737-1222
\nhttps:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/state-parks\/galveston-island<\/a>
\nThis 2,013-acre site is believed to be the place where Cabeza de Vaca and his crew were shipwrecked in 1520. Fierce storms are common, including one that created the nation’s worst natural disaster in 1900. The seawall constructed along the northern half of the island still protects the area. Activities include camping, birdwatching, nature study, hiking, mountain bike riding, fishing, and beach swimming. Mary Moody Amphitheater offers a summer schedule of live stage performances.<\/p>\n

Lake Houston State Park
\n<\/b><\/strong>http:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/fishboat\/fish\/recreational\/lakes\/houston<\/a>
\nNearly 5,000 acres of natural beauty is available just 30 miles north of Houston in New Caney. Stretching from Harris County into Montgomery County, this vast expanse of land offers camping; nature study; birdwatching; hiking; biking; and horseback riding. Lake Houston is available for swimming and fishing.<\/p>\n

Sheldon Lake State Park &
\nEnvironmental Education Center<\/b><\/strong>
\n14140 Garrett Road
\nHouston 281-456-2800
\nhttps:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/state-parks\/sheldon-lake<\/a>
\nSituated in northeastern Harris County at the edge of the nation’s fourth largest city, this park offers an oasis of water and woods in a 2,800-acre outdoor education and recreational facility. Sheldon Lake encompasses 1,200 acres including wetlands. Activities include fishing, birding, nature study, and canoeing.<\/p>\n

San Jacinto Battleground
\n<\/b><\/strong>State Historical Park Complex
\n3523 Independence Parkway South
\nLaPorte 281-479-2431
\nhttps:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/state-parks\/battleship-texas<\/a>
\nLocated in Harris County 20 miles east of downtown Houston, the park is home to the 570-foot San Jacinto Monument that honors Texans who defeated the Mexican army in 1836 to win the area’s independence. In addition to historic events, the park is popular for picnicking and hosts a wide variety of festivals and celebrations.<\/p>\n


\n<\/i><\/em>Additional Websites
\n<\/b><\/strong>
\nOutdoor Kid’s Network
\n<\/b><\/strong>https:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/kids\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Trees For Houston
\n<\/b><\/strong>www.treesforhouston.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Parks, Nature & Travel Guide
\n<\/b><\/strong>www.wildtexas.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SPORTS & RECREATION \/ PARKS & NATURE Nature Centers Armand Bayou Park & Nature Center Houston 281-474-2551 www.abnc.org One of the few native preserves in the nation, the park protects over 370 animal species and enjoys a prime location on a major migratory North American flyway. Nature trails, boat tours, and glimpses of the turn-of-the-century […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/HoustonTX3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/316"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/HoustonTX3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/HoustonTX3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/HoustonTX3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/HoustonTX3\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=316"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/HoustonTX3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":758,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/HoustonTX3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/316\/revisions\/758"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/HoustonTX3\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}