Hermann Park

ig2ba · February 6, 2014

Here's the truth; people are LAZY.

There is plenty of parking at Hermann Park. There's the zoo lot, the golf lot, on-street parking, medical center garages, and museum district garages. There's also the easy option of parking anywhere in Midtown and taking the train.

I find it amusing that people would rather circle in their cars for half an hour waiting for a spot rather than walk 10 minutes when their final destination is a f'in park.

Hermann Park is our city's crown jewel. We'll have spent around $100 million on the park/zoo/miller by the time this 100th birthday is done and you want to add a parking garage?

No thanks. It's time to change our culture. Parking cannot continue to be a "right" in Central Houston.

I'm cool with a parking garage north of Hermann Drive in the context of more development of the Museum District. Hermann at Jackson looks good.

For within the park, here's a question: would you be for a parking garage if it meant a smaller overall footprint for parking by removing surface parking lots. The zoo could be expanded or just plain old fashioned green space for now. If you'd still oppose such a parking garage, how would you feel if several levels of it were below ground? Or all of it?

brian0123 · February 6, 2014

Here's the truth; people are LAZY.

There is plenty of parking at Hermann Park. There's the zoo lot, the golf lot, on-street parking, medical center garages, and museum district garages. There's also the easy option of parking anywhere in Midtown and taking the train.

I find it amusing that people would rather circle in their cars for half an hour waiting for a spot rather than walk 10 minutes when their final destination is a f'in park.

Hermann Park is our city's crown jewel. We'll have spent around $100 million on the park/zoo/miller by the time this 100th birthday is done and you want to add a parking garage?

No thanks. It's time to change our culture. Parking cannot continue to be a "right" in Central Houston.

I'd agree with you for those who tend to be couples/older families. However, most of the people parking at the zoo lot are families with multiple kids with multiple strollers, other junk to load up to bring with the kids, picnic supplies, etc. and visitors from out of town. If Houston were a city with true mass transit... then you'd have a point.

Yes, there are a lot of options nearby for parking... but no one knows about them unless you live nearby. For those visiting, there is no clear signage or indication of where there is public parking available and where it's at. Heck, even the Ben Taub parking garage (where people park at and walk across to the zoo entrance on the back side) has notices posted saying that the garage is to only be used for hospital visitors.

ig2ba · February 6, 2014

I'd agree with you for those who tend to be couples/older families. However, most of the people parking at the zoo lot are families with multiple kids with multiple strollers, other junk to load up to bring with the kids, picnic supplies, etc. and visitors from out of town. If Houston were a city with true mass transit... then you'd have a point.

Yes, there are a lot of options nearby for parking... but no one knows about them unless you live nearby. For those visiting, there is no clear signage or indication of where there is public parking available and where it's at. Heck, even the Ben Taub parking garage (where people park at and walk across to the zoo entrance on the back side) has notices posted saying that the garage is to only be used for hospital visitors.

I think that explains it well. There are two types of people in this situation: those who need signs to tell them exactly where to park and those who just park. Some people need a signs leading them all the way from 288 telling them to park at on street parking in the museum district to go see a concert at Miller Outdoor. It's probably mostly a suburban/city divide, but not entirely.

LarryDierker · February 6, 2014

They should encourage people to park at Fannin South and take the train. Seems much simpler for those coming from out of the city.

JamesL · February 7, 2014

Does anyone think that more cars entering the park would be an enhancement?

brian0123 · February 7, 2014

Does anyone think that more cars entering the park would be an enhancement?

Really, I'm thinking a garage more for having an organized system to park. Even if the number of spots stayed the same and they claimed more greenspace, I think having an organized "park here" and "lot full" type of system would make more sense than the free-for-all it currently is. It would probably generate enough money to pay for tons of enhancements to the park as well.

KinkaidAlum · February 7, 2014

I can't think of a single city in which the signature park has a parking structure in the middle of it. Now, if someone wants to pony up to donate the $50 million it would take to eliminate all the surface parking and bury a 5 level all-underground garage in order to reclaim green space, then I would be all for it.

However, I'd personally rather see money going to replant the Miller Hill, build a new centennial garden, reforest the park, take care of the aging oaks, add public art, etc...

Original Timmy Chan's · February 7, 2014

The parking situation is pretty amazing at times. The police close down Hermann Drive at Cambridge often to prevent any more traffic from entering the park.

It sucks for those who load up the kids for a day at the park only to arrive at a massive traffic jam on MacGregor. But such is the price of popularity.

Even though I live 5 minutes from the park, if I'm not going to arrive before 10 am, I take the train from Fannin South. My little boy prefers the train trip anyways.

Montrose1100 · February 7, 2014

Here is a radical idea, park somewhere along the light rail and ride it for a stop or two. Hop off at Sunset, take the zoo train to your destination. an above ground parking structure would be a slap in the face to what the park stands for.

cloud713 · February 7, 2014

an above ground parking structure would be a slap in the face to what the park stands for.

this. the only way i could compromise is if it meant reducing the footprint of the current parking lots at the zoo for more green space or an expanded zoo, like someone else mentioned. and even then only if the garage is no higher than 2-3 levels (just shorter than the tops of the trees) and covered in ivy and lots of dense tall trees surrounding it, hiding the structure like they do buildings in The Woodlands. and it would be nice if the roof were a garden or at least grass to further hide the garage from the views of the highrises around the park.

placoors · February 9, 2014

I just went to the zoo today for the first time in two years. Pretty good crowds all over the park doing all sorts of things. Parking was not a problem. Under a ten minute walk from the car to the zoo entrance.

plumber2 · February 9, 2014

I have a suggestion that some may agree to, others of course will not. There are several acres of Hermann Park land south of the zoo across Cambridge (McGregor, Outer Belt) that is really unused, except by Ben Taub emergency room smokers, and an old log cabin. The "Pioneer" cabin can be moved into the park somewhere, or to another location. The smokers can smoke in the middle of the street for all I care. The land sits idle, as a buffer between the Medical Center and the park. Why not let parking garages be the buffer. The garages could be connected to the park with wide pedestrian bridges over Cambridge. (The only problem would be keeping medical center employees from parking there during the day..........or maybe not)

HtownWxBoy · February 10, 2014

Love Hermann Park ... I live 2 blocks from Smith Land station so on weekends I take the train ... so much easier than looking for parking.

Dakota79 · February 10, 2014

They could do something like Discovery Green. That would be a win for all. They could charge for it, to keep med center employees from parking for free there. Single level surface parking is not the best idea.

ricco67 · February 11, 2014

What they also need is a generously large drop off point.

As it currently stands, you're blocking traffic that are trying to do the same thing and then becomes a traffic jam as it starts to interfere with people trying to find a parking spot.

I know there is a drop off point on the med center side, but it isn't clearly identified and looks abandoned.

(Otto Mation) · February 13, 2014

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Elseed · February 15, 2014

Man this is so true...and make 10 story garage...with a mural on all 4 sides and giant letters that say parking on top in Neon red lights....

kylejack · February 15, 2014

I'd agree with you for those who tend to be couples/older families. However, most of the people parking at the zoo lot are families with multiple kids with multiple strollers, other junk to load up to bring with the kids, picnic supplies, etc. and visitors from out of town. If Houston were a city with true mass transit... then you'd have a point.

Yes, there are a lot of options nearby for parking... but no one knows about them unless you live nearby. For those visiting, there is no clear signage or indication of where there is public parking available and where it's at. Heck, even the Ben Taub parking garage (where people park at and walk across to the zoo entrance on the back side) has notices posted saying that the garage is to only be used for hospital visitors.

Well then, it sounds like a signage problem more than a missing parking garage problem.

Edited February 15, 2014 by kylejack

cloud713 · February 15, 2014

Man this is so true...and make 10 story garage...with a mural on all 4 sides and giant letters that say parking on top in Neon red lights....

you are either a good jokester or.. idk... im hoping that was a very sarcastic joke. a 10 story garage with neon lights? completely opposite of blending in with the park setting.

(Otto Mation) · April 14, 2014