PARKS & COMMUNITY AMENITIES

Please provide comments at the bottom once you have reviewed the action items

Existing Resources: The Johnson Neighborhood Library has a number of conference and meeting rooms available to the public, in addition, classes and programs include: Tax Help, Preschool Story Time, Family STEM. Urban Harvest has two affiliate allotment gardens in Sunnyside: Harry Holmes Healthy Harvest Community Garden at 4646 Brinkley Street and Happy Place Garden at 4502 Brinkley Street. Hope Farms and the AgHub are also located in the neighborhood, both provide programs for youth. In addition, there are three active area Boys and Girls Clubs, Jim and Barbara Morefield Club at 5950 Selinksy Road, KIPP Sunnyside Club at 11000 Scott Street, and YES Prep Southside Club at 5515 S. Loop Freeway.

GOAL: Beautiful Parks

Sources: CIP, CC  

Improve Sunnyside Park (MEDIUM Priority) 

ACTION STEPS: Identify, prioritize, and advocate for improvements at Sunnyside Park including upgraded playground equipment, additional walking trails, accessible swimming pools, lighting, and improved parking 

COORDINATION 

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate, Support
• City: Houston Parks and Recreation Department | Role: Outreach, Implement
• Community Connectors: Houston Parks Board, TIRZ #26 | Role: Support 

Improve E.P. Hill Park (LOW Priority) 

ACTION STEPS: Identify, prioritize, and advocate for improvements at E.P. Hill Park such as additional recreational facilities, basketball court, exercise equipment, water fountain, dog park, benches, walking trails, playground equipment, parking, and drainage   

COORDINATION 

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate, Support
• City: Houston Parks and Recreation Department | Role: Outreach, Implement
• Community Connectors: Houston Parks Board, TIRZ #26 | Role: Support 

Identify and advocate for improvements at other neighborhood parks (LOW Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Identify, prioritize, and advocate for improvements at Bessie Swindle (Clover Leaf), Crestmont, and Schnur Parks, including accessible swimming pools, upgraded facilities, outdoor exercise areas, walking trails, playgrounds, and shade structures; Advocate for proper maintenance and security at all area parks  

COORDINATION 

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate, Support
• City: Houston Parks and Recreation Department | Role: Support, Advocate
• Community Connectors: Houston Parks Board, TIRZ #26, District B | Role: Support, Advocate 

GOAL: Connected Parks and Greenways

Develop the Proposed Hill at Sims Bayou Park (MEDIUM Priority) 

ACTION STEPS: Support and advocate for the proposed park at the Hill at Sims Bayou, including the incorporation of programs for families, children, and seniors such as archery, nature conservancy, and other programs  

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Support, Advocate
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Harris County Precinct One, Nature Heritage Society, Houston Parks Board | Role: Implement

Develop a cultural trail along the Sims Bayou Greenway (LOW Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the development of a cultural trail along the Sims Bayou Greenway that incorporates art, historical markers, and other cultural amenities and connects the historic Black neighborhoods across south Houston; Provide 911 mile markers along the Sims Bayou Greenway to improve safety

COORDINATION 

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate
• City: Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs | Role: Support 
• Community Connectors: Houston Parks Board, Houston Arts Alliance, TIRZ #26, Nature Heritage Society | Role: Support, Implement

GOAL: Expanded Programming at Community Facilities 

Source: CC 

Expand programs for families and seniors at Johnson Library, including technology programs (MEDIUM Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the expansion of programs offered at the Johnson Library, including bringing the Tech-Link program, entrepreneurial programs, resume writing, and life skills/work place etiquette; Provide programs for those with special needs and mental health challenges 

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate
• City: Houston Public Library | Role: Implement
• Community Connectors Unity is Wealth | Role: Support

Expand the programs and improve services at Sunnyside Park and Community Center (MEDIUM Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the expansion of programs for people of all ages at Sunnyside Community Center, including identifying partners to provide programming; Expanded programs could include organized sports, such as street Olympics, swimming lessons, Zumba, yoga, meditation, and gardening; Increase free access to meeting rooms and other spaces for community-based organizations 

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate
• City: Houston Parks and Recreation Department | Role: Support, Implement
• Community Connectors: Area Churches, Memorial Hermann,  Minaii Society | Role: Support