It is finally here! As of April 13, 2024, the Commons at Hermann Park is open to the public! This project is the result of millions of raised dollars and lots of hard work by volunteers and the Hermann Park Conservancy. Kudus to them, because it is amazing and the perfect addition to Hermann Park. Everything is FREE with the exception of the carousel rides.
This overview covers:
Hours & Getting There
Space Adventure
Water Play Gardens
The H-E-B Gorilla Forest & Swing Hill
Alligators on the Lake Bank
The Lott Family Carousel
Hours & Getting There
The Commons is technically accessible pretty much anytime and is technically located at 6100 Hermann Park Dr. (although the address can be problematic with GPS at times). I recommend entering the specific parking lot you are headed to on Waze if you use it. However, the two main play areas (Space Adventure & Water Play Gardens) are gated, staffed with attendants, and only open between 9 am and 9 pm (as of April 18, 2024).
As a primary aim of initiatives related to Hermann Park is to preserve green spaces to play, there is limited parking immediately next to the Commons. There are approximately 9 regular parking spaces, two 15-minute pickup parking spaces, and handicap parking on Fannin St. close to the intersection of Fannin St. and Cambridge St. However, as you can imagine, these spots are often taken due to the immediate popularity of the space. Here are other options for parking or otherwise arriving:
You might get very lucky with those few free spaces on Fannin St. mentioned above or nearby paid street parking on Main St. Just take extra care with children on these busy streets.
FREE Hermann Park Lot S next to Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church. There are signs that distinguish Lot S from the other church parking. This lot may not be available during church events. (Updated June 4, 2024 to include this option.)
FREE Hermann Park Lot A in front of the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences and close to the Japanese Garden. From here, you can take the trail that runs between the Japanese Garden and Fannin St. to reach the Commons (at the site of the old Buddy Carruth Playground for All Children on the map).
FREE Herman Park Zoo Lots (Lot G, F, and H): From these lots, head toward the zoo entrance near the Lake Plaza, walk past the zoo entrance, and continue around the lake to reach the Commons (at the site of the old Buddy Carruth Playground for All Children on the map). Lookout for the alligator balance beams along the way!
FREE Herman Park Lots E, D, and C: These lots are a bit farther away but certainly manageable if you are used to walking. A wagon or stroller for little kids will be helpful, but kids used to walking for 20 minutes will manage just fine unless it is very hot. (My 5-year old and I walk it often on mild days with a water bottle in hand for her.) Park in Lot E or D, then walk through the Lake Plaza and follow the trail around the lake to the Commons (at the site of the old Buddy Carruth Playground for All Children on the map). If you park at Lot C, walk past the Miller Outdoor Theatre then on through the Lake Plaza. You can also cut across the lake on the bridges to make it more fun for kids. (This is our preferred option.) You will enter the Commons near the wetland preserve and the Space Adventure playground.
Reserved Paid Parking at Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza Garage: This option is very close to the Commons (just mind the children near the busy streets when crossing over to get there). Details are at the link.
The Hermann Park Railroad: This is a fun option for arriving. If you park in one of the Hermann Park lots, just walk toward the railroad ticket station and gift shop (across the Lake Plaza facing the Houston Zoo entrance). You can purchase a day pass online for $6/person ($7 on peak days) and hop on and off at various locations, including the Commons. Just be sure you get back to your destination before the train stops running at 6 pm! This option is especially fun because you get to go through a quirky tunnel and during holidays the train has lights on it. UPDATE ON JUNE 4, 2024: Houston 365 has a great summary of the stops along with other general parking tips.
The Metro: This is another super easy way to arrive if you park and ride or if you are already staying near the Metro Red Line. Purchasing tickets is super easy with the Metro Q Ticketing app. (Check out my Instagram post on this if the thought intimidates you). I recommend exiting at the Hermann Park/Rice University stop at Fannin St. and Sunset Blvd. then walking down the trail toward the hospitals to quickly arrive at the Commons.
The parking is pretty accessible on most days, but weekends and holidays can get really busy (even before the Commons was open). Bring your patience along and lookout for pedestrians.
Sit and Stay Awhile!
It is worth the effort to get there--especially because this has to be one of the most well-seated parks in Houston. There is ample seating on park benches, natural rock formations, picnic tables, rocking chairs, and lawn chairs throughout the Commons. Not to mention, it is a great place to drop a blanket with a picnic under one of the shady preserved trees. It is truly the central hangout for families in Houston.
Now for the good stuff.
Space Adventure
This area is fully fenced with an attendant at the gate for added security. Children of many ages love it because it has:
A ton of climbing features (ropes and small rock walls)
Gorgeous and playful themes brought to life on sturdy play sets
Several slides, including 3 launching from the 45-foot-tall rocket and two steep ones zig zagging down a rock climbing wall
I wondered how chaotic it would get with children attempting to climb to the top of the rocket. However, it is equipped with sturdy wooden steps that circle the interior, similar to climbing a lighthouse. There are a few areas where they also climb up metal structures to get to the higher slides. All in all, it gets busy but it is not the chaos I was expecting. Still, it is important to take extra care with small children younger than about 5 years so that they don't fall or otherwise get hurt. You can walk over the orange footbridge to reach the middle of the rocket fairly easily as an averaged-sized adult.
Things to know about this area:
There are restrooms (and attendants check them regularly) near the rocket slide underneath the overlook.
The metal slides can get a bit warm on hot days.
Once kids enters play spaces, visibility can be a bit limited. However, the place is gated, so they are not likely to run out without you noticing.
There are several large canopies for shade that can provide some relief on hot days (while also still letting sunlight in).
The rocket slide has 3 different slides at various heights for different levels of thrill-seeking.
Finally, there are steps to observe the kids while they play at Space Adventure or the Water Play Gardens.
The Thicket
Because the larger structures within Space Adventure can be a bit too adventurous for toddlers, the Thicket provides beautifully designed smaller play features aimed at kids between the ages of 2 and 5 (although some of older kids certainly enjoy some of the features as well).
This space includes:
A dragonfly toddler play area
Toad Hollow climber
The Snake Den tunnel and climber
Musical instruments and musical stepping stones
Stepping logs and rocks
A concrete slide and rock wall built into a small hill
Water Play Garden
Everyone could see the rocket as it was being "launched" during construction, so it was highly-anticipated by the city. However, I'm not sure anyone outside of the planners and volunteers was aware of how extensive the Water Play Garden would be. It's incredibly engaging for children, and a gift to Houstonians and visitors alike enduring steamy summer (well, and spring...well, and fall) days.
This space features:
Levers that power a Splash Cove
A Spash Cove with various water features toward the rear (near Fannin St.)
A flowing "bayou" complete with dams that children can raise and lower and several water pumps along the "banks"
Other interactive water and sand features
Restrooms & outdoor showers
Lots of seating
You really do have to see this area to observe the magical free play that children engage in with the basic elements of sand and water. Swimsuits and towels are recommended, and there are outdoor showers to rinse off.
A word to the wise! Be prepared to spend a long time in this area because children generally love it. My daughter and several of our neighbor friends have already spent hours here, and the place just opened. Once again, seating has been prioritized so you can relax.
The Gorilla Forest & Swing Hill
I am discussing these two areas in tandem because they are located along the same pathway toward the east side of the Commons nestled among a variety of trees. Our beloved Texan grocery chain H-E-B (Here Everything's Better) sponsored the Gorilla Forest. It was designed with younger kids in mind, but I have seen children up to about age 7 or 8 happily enjoying it.
This space features:
A gorilla-arm slide
A banana slide, complete with it's H-E-B product code
Grass-themed rope climbers and swinging bars
A tunnel into the gorilla
This is my personal favorite play area because it is small, allowing for easy visibility, and--of course--it has seating in a beautiful setting.
Farther down the path, South toward the direction of the hospitals, you will find a few different swing areas tucked away including:
Traditional swings
An adaptive swing
Rope saucer swings
Alligators on the Lake Bank
This is a small area, but is already becoming a favorite spot for families. A little family of alligator balance beams is situated along the lake as you are walking along the path from the Gorilla Forest in the direction of the zoo's main entrance. Kids dare to walk across an alligator's back and also enjoy the wood chips, observing the turtles and ducks, and hanging out by the lake.
Around the lake, there is also a wetland area with a large stepping stone pathway, natural stones for relaxing by the lake, brand-new grills, a fishing pier (only kids under 12 and senior citizens can actually fish, though), picnic tables, little bridges and boardwalks, and lots of wildlife.
The Lott Family Carousel
A beautiful, perfectly-placed carousel is located at the center of the Commons among preserved shade trees. It's the only thing in the space with an added charge of $5 per ride, but it is well-staffed, lots of fun, and a cute photo op. My favorite picnic table space is located just behind the carousel--a long wooden picnic table that is about 25-feet.
That is the initial rundown. I will continue to update this post as needed (and let me know if you have updates, please). I started off doing Instagram reels to break things down and quickly realized I had way to much to say on the matter of this new crown jewel in Hermann Park! I hope you are able to enjoy it very soon.
#HermannParkCommons #HermannPark #HoustonWithKids #HoustonFamilies #HoustonFamilyVacation #MuseumDistrictHouston #HoustonMuseumDistrict #HoustonPlayground #HermannParkPlayground
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