A Sneak Peek at Houston’s New $15 Million Park

What: Sneak Peek of Levy Park

Where: One Grove Street Building, 2925 Richmond Ave., 6th floor space

PC Moment: Over 100 guests gathered at One Grove Street to get a bird’s-eye view of the ongoing $15-million renovation of Levy Park in Upper Kirby. This six-acre community space grew out of renovations of a historic park that began in July 2016. The new park is set to open January 7, 2017.

Attendees enjoyed clever picnic-themed light bites and libations — catered by Tarsha Gary, Crave Gourmet Bakery and Catered Cafe — like mini hotdogs, chicken salad cups, wine, beer, and lemonade. A foosball table, corn hole, and other games completed the festivities. Pianist Leah Stonum set the mood, accompanied by bassist Mel Drybread. New conservancy director Doug Overman said a brief word on the history of Levy Park, as well as its bright future, while thanking members of the Levy family, whose patriarch Leon Levy gifted the park land to the city.

Then the throng descended the party space to head outdoors, for a candlelight tour of the reborn green space.

The Levy Park website promises a multi-use environment that will provide space for public programming, dining amenities, a huge 3,000-seating performance pavilion, space for a farmers market, outdoor table tennis, a putting green, a playground and climbing area for children, a dog park for four-legged friends, and much more.

Who: Levy Park Conservancy executive director and host Doug Overman; community volunteer and co-host Judy Nyquist; Nicole Romano and Marc Orduña of Levy Park Conservancy; Upper Kirby District and Foundation volunteer and chair of the Redevelopment Authority Buddy Bailey; Upper Kirby honchos including District Foundation chair Maureen Sanders, executive director Jamie Brewster, and Management District prez Robert Axelson; Levy family members Reggie Hirsch, Ken Levy, Carol Wise, Arlene Levy, and Jennifer Levy; the park’s landscape architects, the Office of James Burnett, represented by Chip Trageser; architect Natalye Appel who designed the park pavilion; Houston Parks & Recreation Department’s Joe Turner; and green-minded guests including Alicia and Matt Summers, Sara Cain, James Bell, Annie and Campbell Eifler, artist Page Kempner, Denton Ragland, Beth Robertson, Adele and Dan Hedges, Ashley and Tyler Horne, and Joey Romano, among others