Houston Botanical Garden At The Glenbrook Golf Course

[Naviguessor]

I played Glenbrook for the first time last month. I was impressed. It was actually a much nicer course than I expected. Lots of trees, quite a bit of terrain. I haven't seen the Gus. But having seen Glenbrook made me even more eager for this project. It's turn out great, I'm confident of that. 

 

That being said, I agree, that Gus would make a better location and initially, a superior garden. But, since really, only one Golf Course was going to survive, its right that Gus Wortham did.  It's the better, and more historic course. 

[Avossos]

33 minutes ago, Naviguessor said:

I played Glenbrook for the first time last month. I was impressed. It was actually a much nicer course than I expected. Lots of trees, quite a bit of terrain. I haven't seen the Gus. But having seen Glenbrook made me even more eager for this project. It's turn out great, I'm confident of that. 

 

That being said, I agree, that Gus would make a better location and initially, a superior garden. But, since really, only one Golf Course was going to survive, its right that Gus Wortham did.  It's the better, and more historic course. 

 

Well said sir. Completely agree.

[bobruss]

12 hours ago, AnTonY said:

Not that Glenbrook is bad, but Gus was a FAR superior location for this thing. If there's still opportunity, then they really should switch back to Gus.

 

@bobruss, luckily, the east/southeast sides of Houston have more mature trees and natural lushness compared to areas farther west. That should provide more than enough sight to look at while the garden is growing in.

Very good point. There will be mature trees everywhere.

I've never seen the course so I guess its time for a road trip. Is the property blocked or is it accessible now?

[AnTonY]

@Naviguessor, hopefully the benefits of Gus (light rail connection, urban fabric, etc) can be replicated at Glenbrook. Otherwise, there's a bit of a loss in terms of potential. 

 

@bobruss, it's still accessible as a golf course, as work hasn't begun yet. It will be closed off starting April 1.

[AnTonY]

@Naviguessor, actually, upon closer inspection, Glenbrook still looks to be salvageable as an urban location, so far that any future PT line to Hobby is placed along Broadway St. But the resulting urban development is best confined to the triangle bounded by 610, 45S, and Sims Bayou. If need be, 610 and 45S along the area can be sunken, and converted into deck parks to complement the new garden.

 

Still wouldn't beat the Gus location, though.

Edited March 10, 2018 by AnTonY

[AnTonY]

Another thing: how come Mason Park wasn't considered as an option for this project?

Edited March 12, 2018 by AnTonY

[Ross]

3 hours ago, AnTonY said:

Another thing: how come Mason Park wasn't considered as an option for this project?

Because it would be beyond stupid to convert a park that has baseball, soccer,and other facilities for a large part of the East End into a place that 30 people per year would visit. Want a botanical garden? Take River Oaks Country Club by eminent domain and build it there. Why screw the less well off folks out of their recreation facilities?

[Texasota]

I... completely agree with Ross. I'm scared.

[thatguysly]

26 minutes ago, Ross said:

Because it would be beyond stupid to convert a park that has baseball, soccer,and other facilities for a large part of the East End into a place that 30 people per year would visit. Want a botanical garden? Take River Oaks Country Club by eminent domain and build it there. Why screw the less well off folks out of their recreation facilities?

 

It would be so much better to take the River Oaks Country Club. More central location that is already heavily visited and is near the arboretum. But as others have said, the River Oaks folks have enough cash laying around to hold it up in court. It is much easier to take from the poor.

[Avossos]

For reference - The Dallas Arboretum is their botanical garden. It is a little out East but not too bad. it gets 1,000 people per day... It is amazing and truly beautiful.

 

I bet ours can be just as good or better.

[AnTonY]

1 hour ago, Texasota said:

 I'm scared.

 

Of what?

 

37 minutes ago, Avossos said:

For reference - The Dallas Arboretum is their botanical garden. It is a little out East but not too bad. it gets 1,000 people per day... It is amazing and truly beautiful.

 

I bet ours can be just as good or better.

 

Yeah, if Dallas can do it, then so can Houston's. Even at Glenwood, the garden will still spur enough revitalization to connect East End with the rest of the city.

 

@Ross, nevermind. Just was going off some initial street-views of the area along the bayou trails.

[samagon]

I'm sad, I was hoping I'd have a chance to play that course one or two more times. Doesn't look like that's going to happen. Oh well.

[EllenOlenska]

Ross has a point. Really, the point. 

[Twinsanity02]

I respectfully disagree. I think one can make a botanical garden without engaging in Marxian class warfare.  It has been done before.

[Elseed]

Botanical Gardens in Downtown would've been nice. This Glenbrook Valley site is pretty lame. 

Edited March 12, 2018 by Elseed

[AnTonY]

@samagon, you still have time to play. The golf course operations there don't end until April 1.

 

@Twinsanity02, yup. Despite what people are thinking, these things aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.

Edited March 12, 2018 by AnTonY

[samagon]

22 hours ago, AnTonY said:

@samagon, you still have time to play. The golf course operations there don't end until April 1.

 

@Twinsanity02, yup. Despite what people are thinking, these things aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.

 

thanks @AnTonY I won't have the opportunity to swing the bats in the next 3 weeks that glenbrook will remain open.

[ChannelTwoNews]

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2018/04/16/houston-botanic-garden-starts-transformation-of.html

 

Quote

 

Houston Botanic Garden starts transformation of former golf course

 

By Olivia Pulsinelli  – Senior web editor, Houston Business Journal

Apr 16, 2018, 4:26pm

 

Houston Botanic Garden announced April 16 that it completed the terms of its agreement with the city of Houston and began its lease at the former Glenbrook Park Golf Course on April 2. The first phase of the project's master plan, dubbed "Botanic Beginnings," is expected to open in late 2020, according to an April 16 press release. The site is along Sims Bayou off Interstate 45 between William P. Hobby Airport and the University of Houston.

 

Some of the "Botanic Beginnings" features will include:

 

The Global Collection Garden: The primary setting for Houston Botanic Garden’s collections and exhibits will be divided into three zones — arid, subtropical and tropical — and display rare and exotic species.

 

Edible Garden: This garden will allow visitors to see, smell, touch and taste a variety of edible plants and help visitors understand the history of plant cultivation and how it relates to different cultures.

 

Event Lawn and Glade: The lawn will provide a variety of programming and events, while the smaller glade will host more inimate events like birthdays and weddings. 

 

Susan Garver Children’s Discovery Garden: This 3-acre area will incorporate an existing pond as "an oasis for aquatic and carnivorous plants, forests and floating gardens, interspersed with natural play areas for running free and a picnic grove," per the release.

 

Prior to the ticketed area of the garden, there will be 11 acres of features such as: 

 

Botanic Boulevard: A tree-lined entrance off Park Place Boulevard, including a vehicular bridge that will cross the Sims Bayou.

 

Picnic Grove: An area for visitors to gather among new and existing oaks.

 

Stormwater Detention Wetlands: The addition of stormwater wetlands ponds also will serve as an exhibit on how green infrastructure and plants can help with flood control and water purification. 

 

 

 

[Brooklyn173]

Some early concept drawings

 

https://archpaper.com/2018/05/west-8-reveals-plans-houstons-first-botanic-garden/

[CaptainJilliams]

"Virtual tour offers bird's eye view of new Botanic Garden" - Houston Chronicle 

 

https://www.chron.com/life/gardening/article/Fly-across-the-Houston-Botanic-Garden-on-a-12900101.php

 

A 5-minute video giving an early glimpse of what the Botanic Garden will look like.

[CaptainJilliams]

"Botanic Garden, coming in 2020, will Celebrate Houston's Biodiversity"

 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/gardening/article/Botanic-Garden-coming-in-2020-will-celebrate-13709986.php

 

The organization’s offices moved into the gently renovated clubhouse of the former Glenbrook Golf Course southeast of downtown a few weeks ago. Construction crews will soon begin transforming the 132-acre site. Funding for Phase 1, a $35-million project that covers about 15 acres and includes a children’s discovery garden, an edible garden and entrance from Park Place Blvd. with wetlands and an oak collection, is about 80 percent complete.

 

Below is a rendering of Phase I:

[thatguysly]

They have been doing a lot out here recently. They "officed" onsite last month and have the fence up, and mowing and other crews working daily. Should be neat and tie in nicely to a sidewalk that finished recently along Sims.

[Sunstar]

I totally forgot this was a thing. Thanks for the post.

[cloud713]

Thanks for the updates! Seeing the progress makes me so happy, after all the years of discussion.. this will be a nice place to take my son.

[Urbannizer]

https://www.overlandpartners.com/projects/houston-botanic-garden/?prjT=9

 

The 2,334-square foot building will feature a gift shop and ticketing center, in addition to storage and restrooms. The building’s facade, or “Welcome Wall,” will be made up of coral limestone in differing patterns that feature a botanic motif. The building will offer indoor and outdoor patio seating so guests have the option of overlooking the Pine Grove and Edible Garden.

“It’s been a joy to work alongside the Houston Botanic Garden and West 8 on the vision for the Welcome Pavilion. It was very important to the team that the Welcome Pavilion not only provide the key guest services and amenities necessary for an entirely new garden, but also fit seamlessly into and reinforce the master plan developed by West 8. The design evolved from there, providing a welcoming visitor experience, acting as a backdrop to the gardens, and highlighting the landscape for guests to enjoy,” said Overland Partners Senior Architect Charles Schneider, AIA, LFA.

 

 

 

 

[Luminare]

Like the idea of the coral limestone. I wish shell limestone would make a comeback from when it was used extensively in early modern styles here in town. That material always felt very "Houston" to me.

[zaphod]

So are they going to get rid of the sports fields and pool too?

 

This project is kind of lame for destroying active recreation opportunities for very expensive yet functionless features.The neighborhood was right to feel sold out.

[DarklyMoron]

2 hours ago, zaphod said:

So are they going to get rid of the sports fields and pool too?

 

This project is kind of lame for destroying active recreation opportunities for very expensive yet functionless features.The neighborhood was right to feel sold out.

No, it’s using the golf course only. So golfers will need to find their way to one of the 9 other municipal courses, while the community suffers with the terrible blight of a botanical garden. Jeesh.

[Moore713]

5 hours ago, zaphod said:

So are they going to get rid of the sports fields and pool too?

 

This project is kind of lame for destroying active recreation opportunities for very expensive yet functionless features.The neighborhood was right to feel sold out.

Active? I use to have to go there multiple times at any given time maybe s dozen cars in the lot...I think they will be alright 

[thatguysly]

I've been to that recreational area a few times. Usually I see kids hanging out there during school hours screwing around, once a guy smoking a joint with his toddler, and people just sitting in their cars.