McClendon Park is a park located in the south side of Houston, Texas. It was created in 1919 by businessman and philanthropist John Couples after he purchased the property that formerly contained the home of his daughter, Frances McClendon. The park is situated on land that includes two lakes—the smaller Lake Frances and the larger Lake John Couples—and several gardens. It is operated by the Houston Parks Department and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since September 8, 1999. John Couples (1853-1944) was one of Houston’s founding fathers who made his fortune as a hardware wholesaler before turning his attention to endowing parks across the city. He was also an avid horticulturist with a passion for creating green spaces in every corner of town. In 1919, he purchased 535 acres (2.25 km) of land along Beltway 10 between South Braeswood and Westpark avenues from Francis Joseph McPherson, Coupled’s first cousin once-removed. This tract included Frances McClendon’s childhood home that she had inherited upon her father’s death in 1919. Couples envisioned this wide stretch as a park for all citizens to enjoy and so set about transforming it into what would be known as McClendon Park over time. To do so, he hired landscape architect Alan Jorgensen from New York City to lay out its layout according to principles of naturalism. See these details.

History and Development of the Park

The park area was once part of the large estate of Frances McClendon. Her father, John Couples, purchased the land from Frances’ brother in 1919 and created McClendon Park from it. John Couples was one of Houston’s founding fathers who made his fortune as a hardware wholesaler before turning his attention to endowing parks across the city. He was also an avid horticulturist with a passion for creating green spaces in every corner of town. In 1919, he purchased 535 acres (2.25 km) of land along Beltway 10 between South Braeswood and Westpark avenues from Francis Joseph McPherson, Coupled’s first cousin once-removed. This tract included Frances McClendon’s childhood home that she had inherited upon her father’s death in 1919. Couples envisioned this wide stretch as a park for all citizens to enjoy and so set about transforming it into what would be known as McClendon Park over time. To do so, he hired landscape architect Alan Jorgensen from New York City to lay out its layout according to principles of naturalism. The park’s garden and orchard were completed in 1933 and its lakes came later in 1955.

The Gardens at McClendon Park - try these out

The gardens at McClendon Park compose one of the most charming parts of the park. The main garden spans approximately 4 acres (1.6 ha) and is bordered by the two lakes. It is filled with an unusual mix of plants, including numerous magnolias, camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons. Tropical plants, including banana, paw paw, mango and papaya trees, pepper, and numerous nut trees, add to the overall impression of a tropical oasis. The gardens are admired not only for their lush greenery but also for their lovely, summer-long display of blooming plants. The gardens are maintained by the Houston Parks Department.

Lake Frances and Landscaping

Lake Frances measures approximately 2 acres (0.8 ha) in size and is entirely manmade. It is fed by a canal that was constructed as part of the Beltway 10 expansion project. The lake is entirely surrounded by an extensive landscaped area that includes a boardwalk system that allows visitors to walk around the lake and enjoy the naturalistic setting of the gardens. The water in the lake is mostly clear and calm and is used for numerous recreational activities including sailing, boating and fishing. Visitors are encouraged to swim in the lake but it is not suitable for open-water boating due to its shallowness. The lake is maintained by the Houston Parks Department.

Lake John Couples and Landscaping

Lake John Couples is a relatively small lake located on the eastern side of McClendon Park. The lake is fed by a canal that diverts water from Lake Frances. The lake is surrounded by landscaped lawns and gardens similar to those in the northern part of the park. The lake is not as well maintained as Lake Frances and is often inaccessible due to incidences of floating debris in the water. However, it is a popular spot to view migratory birds and is often used by the Houston Police Department for their aquatic training exercises. The lake is maintained by the Houston Parks Department.

Conclusion

Any time you have a large, open space in the middle of a city, people will start to use it for everything from casual recreation to serious training for special operations. Fortunately, Houston has many such spaces available to its residents, and McClendon Park is one of them. There are many things that make McClendon Park special, but the most notable is the large, open expanse of land that makes it suitable for many different activities. Because the park is so large and has so many different uses, it will almost certainly continue to be used for years to come. McClendon Park is a beautiful, well-maintained park in one of the most dynamic cities in the country. It should be on your list of places to visit in Houston.

Driving Directions To Law Office Of Laura Franco, PLLC - Houston, TX From McClendon Park

Driving Directions To Jumping World Sharpstown