Nearly a decade after a major redevelopment brought energy and visitors back to Emancipation Park, a new initiative will create a stage and reimagine the historic space’s community center.
Located in Third Ward, Emancipation Park is one of Houston’s oldest public parks. The new $18.5 million project announced this week will include a 5,000-square-foot stage and a remodel of the 11,000-square-foot community center to feature enhanced audio-visual capabilities, a gift shop and other updates to increase events and gatherings.
Work has already begun on the updates which are slated for completion in June 2026 ahead of the 10-acre park’s annual Juneteenth celebration. Funding for the stage was made possible through the support of lead funder, Kinder Foundation. Additional funders include Brown Foundation and Cullen Foundation.
“This investment in Emancipation Park is about more than expanding a space; it’s about preserving history and creating a vibrant hub for cultural expression,” said Ramon Manning, board chair of the Emancipation Park Conservancy. “It builds on the park’s improvements in 2014 by allowing us to increase programming capacity and ensure the park remains a central gathering place for performances, celebrations, and community connection.”
Nancy Kinder, president and CEO, Kinder Foundation said the park’s upgrades will help ensure it “remains a place of community and celebration for generations to come.”
Houston Mayor John Whitmire emphasized that Emancipation Park’s history is a vital piece of the broader city’s history. “The significant upgrades will ensure that it continues to play a vital role in Houston's future,” Whitmire said.
Due to the construction, the Cultural Center and the lawn between the Cultural Center and Recreation Center will temporarily close to the public. All other areas of the park — including the playground, splash pad, and sports courts — will remain open.
Award-winning global architecture firm Perkins & Will, which designed the park’s original improvements completed in 2017, has returned to lead the design of this project.
Written by staff
