Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

A natural treasure only 3 miles from downtown in Memorial Park

Strolling through the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center | Source: Peggy Woods (All photos are property of the author; no reuse without permission)

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Houston Arboretum

The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center was originally called the Houston Arboretum and Botanical Garden. A name change took place in 1981. This new name better describes what this Houston treasure offers visitors daily.

My husband and I have lived in Houston, Texas, for most of our lives. We have often driven through Memorial Park but have never taken the time to visit the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. One day, we decided to remedy that oversight, and I am so glad that we did. It is a fantastic enclave of forested areas and wetlands. It also contains a sizable pond and a once forested meadow. Once we were walking on the five miles of trails, it was hard to believe that this nature center is a mere three miles from downtown Houston!

Houston Arboretum Building Exterior

The back of the Houston Arboretum Building

Anole Lizard with extended dewlap — Houston Arboretum

Colorful Mushroom growing on a log — Houston Arboretum

Loblolly Pine at the Houston Arboretum. These trees were used for the masts of sailing ships, according to a nearby sign.

Woundwort (mint family) — Houston Arboretum

Benches available for taking a break from hiking — Houston Arboretum

Iris and Bald Cypress tree near a bog — Houston Arboretum

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Emmott Circle

A plaque memorializes a lady who was most instrumental in establishing this park. What is inscribed on that plaque is the following:

“Emmott Circle

Dedicated to the memory of Catharine Mary Emmott

1862–1949

Chairman of the Memorial Park Committee

Her love of people and the outdoors inspired her to suggest creating Memorial Park, and she worked diligently and persuasively for a year to establish it. When the park was opened in 1924, its 1,503 acres were dedicated to the memory of soldiers who fought in World War I.”

Emmott Circle at the Houston Arboretum

Catharine Mary Emmott plaque

Memorial Park

Many of those soldiers were injured, and many died during WWI. So it is a fitting tribute to them to have Memorial Park named after them.

Walking through a wetland area

Houston Arboretum Photo

Fallen trees are left to decompose

Fungi growing inside a tree stump

Houston Arboretum Photo

Sweetspire shrub

Flowers at the Houston Arboretum

Trumpet vine

A Post Oak Tree at the Houston Arboretum can live up to 400 years.

Dogs on leashes are welcome — Houston Arboretum

Yellow flowers — Houston Arboretum

Changes Over the Years

This land area has changed many times over the years! Thousands of years ago, it was heavily forested, and Native Americans lived in this locale. The land provided fresh water, edible plants, wild game, and shelter.

During the 1800s, a sawmill owned and operated by A.C. Reynolds helped change the forested landscape. Mills were buzzing again during World War I when Camp Logan became an Army Training Camp. In 1917, thousands of soldiers erected many camp buildings and were trained in this area before departing to fight the war in Europe.

The wealthy Hogg brothers and Henry Stude had purchased the land. They were encouraged to believe that Houston needed a sizable park. Fortunately, after the war, most of the property that would eventually become Memorial Park was sold to the City of Houston at cost. The city debt was paid off in annual payments between 1924 and 1934. Restrictions on the deed ensured that it would remain a park for all time.

Beautiful turkey tail mushroom growing on a fallen tree at the Houston Arboretum

Houston Arboretum sky scenery

Japanese honeysuckle

Pink wildflower

Wetlands and Turtles at Houston Arboretum

Bluebonnet

Base of a crape myrtle tree

Hours

The nature trails are open daily from 7 AM to dusk. The Nature Center is available from 9 AM to 4 PM. Inside the building are numerous classrooms and rooms available to rent for special occasions. If you wish to use their outside spaces for venue events such as weddings, call to make a reservation at 713.681.8433.

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Educational Classes

Classes for kids and adults are offered. Subjects are varied, ranging from learning about birds and bats to learning which wild plants are edible. These examples are only a small sampling of the many offerings.

The day we were there, a printmaking class was taking place. Ferns and other natural items gleaned from the nature center were in use. Usually, the collection of any plants (with exceptions such as this) is prohibited. The same rules apply to the collection and removal of insects and animals.

A Discovery Room inside the Nature Center building, as well as the Nature Shop, is open from 9 AM to 4 PM daily. It is a terrific place to teach kids of all ages about nature using microscopes, puzzles, and items they can touch and explore.

Printmaking class using wild plants — Houston Arboretum

Outdoor classroom

One of many classrooms at the Houston Arboretum

Coyote in a display case

Houston Arboretum

Enjoyable Place for People and Pets

Dogs are welcome if kept on leashes, and we saw quite a few of them on the trails. Most people are quiet and respectful of others in this natural setting. It is a place to relax, unwind, and wash away any stress.

There are some signs along the way to identify individual plants. Some of them include braille. There is a guide rope along the 1/3rd-mile-long Palmetto Multi-Sensory Trail designed for the visually impaired.

Trails are natural, as well as those constructed as wooden walkways. Since the area is so flat, it is handicap accessible.

Blackberry plants in abundance — Houston Arboretum

Palmetto info, including braille at the Houston Arboretum

Palmetto palms grow best in wetlands

Wooden walkways — Houston Arboretum

Houston Arboretum path through a wooded area

Lotus leaves & other aquatic plants

Houston Arboretum Carol Tatkon Sensory Garden

Carol Tatkon Sensory Garden — Houston Arboretum

Location and Suggestions

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is here: 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, Texas 77024. There is also an entrance off the 610 Loop at 120 W Loop N Freeway. Parking costs $6.50 per vehicle, but parking is free every Thursday and the 2nd Sunday each month. Clean restrooms are available.

I have read that free insect repellent is available upon request. Using bug spray, particularly after a rain event in Houston, is a good idea. Mosquitoes thrive in our warm, humid environment! My husband and I visited the Arboretum and Nature Center in April. It was relatively cool outside, and we did not experience biting mosquitoes.

I would plan future visits to the Arboretum during more temperate times of the year unless using the air-conditioned indoor facilities.

Iris in bloom at the Houston Arboretum

Source

• Houston Arboretum

© Peggy Woods (Originally published on HubPages)