Standing Up For Houston’s 112-Year-Old Green Jewel — Hermann Park Gets a Major Boost

When Mother Nature Makes the Outdoor Partying a Breeze

By Shelby Hodge // May 5, 2026

1/0

Board chair Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Johnny Than)

Chairs Meredith Marshall and Rishma Mohamed at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Johnny Than)

Chris & Kristy Bradshaw and son Preston at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

The Hermann Park Railroad transported guests from valet to the Molly Ann Smith Plaza for cocktails before dinner (Photo by Johnny Than)

Cece & Mack Fowler at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Janae Tsai, Mary Patton, Divya Brown at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Cara Lambright, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Brooke Bentley Gunst, Maria Lowrey, Rachel Solar at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Phoebe & Bobby Tudor at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Chris Wadley & Katherine Whaley at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Gwendolyn Tillotson Bell, Robbi Jones at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Claire Thacker, Allison & Troy Thacker at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Fady Armanious & Bill Baldwin at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Johnny Than)

Hallie Vanderhider & Bobby Dees at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Frank & Stephanie Tsuru at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Isabel David, Ileana Treviño at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

George & Reagen Fibbe, Kaitlyn & Michael Scheurich at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Kelley Lubanko, Shawn Stephens at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Johnny Than)

Cory & Tai Quarles at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Ileana & Michael Treviño at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Katie & Scott Arnoldy at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Johnny Than)

Chris Knapp, Marisa Janusz,John Bishop, Joe Meppelink at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Monica Hartland at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Monica Hoz de Vila, Brad Radoff at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Paula & Reggie DesRoches at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Johnny Than)

Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Donae Chramosta at Hermann Park Conservancy's 'Evening in the Park' (Photo by Johnny Than)

Winnnie Scheuer & Kevin Bonebrake at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Tina Ortiz, Lisa johnson, Kenneth Allen at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Johnny Than)

Rishma & Akbar Mohamed at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell & Derrick Mitchell at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

Jen & Shawn Kavoussi at Hermann Park Conservancy's "Evening in the Park" (Photo by Johnny Than)

When it comes to al fresco partying Mother Nature certainly plays a significant role. She can be a sweetheart, but then again she can be quite wretched. For Hermann Park Conservancy’s “Evening in the Park,” Mother Nature has most often blessed a gathering that assembles on the Molly Ann Smith Plaza then proceeds to dinner in an open-sided tent.

Happily, in this latest fundraiser she turned up on her best behavior.

2026 Hermann Park Conservancy Gala — Chris & Kristy Bradshaw and son Preston at Hermann Park Conservancy’s ‘Evening in the Park’ (Photo by Michelle Watson, CatchlightGroup.com)

As Herman Park supporters hopped aboard the little red park railroad for jaunty transport to the party scene, the weather was balmy and breezy. Just airy enough to ruffle the floaty cocktail attire that is de rigueur for this popular Houston evening.

The serene setting overlooking McGovern Lake set the stage for an event helmed by chairs Meredith Marshall and Rishma Mohamed. It all turned into a splendid soirée that raised $850,000 in support of ongoing stewardship and improvements to this century-plus-old Houston treasure.

While 475 people dined on scrumptious fare from Elizabeth Swift + Co., the program highlighted the longstanding commitment to Hermann Park of the evening’s honorees Kristy and Chris Bradshaw.

Conservancy board chair Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell spoke on the significance and importance of the park to the city of Houston.

Mother's Day Gifts

Swipe

EITP Co-Chairs Meredith Marshall and Rishma Mohamed — Chairs Meredith Marshall and Rishma Mohamed at Hermann Park Conservancy’s ‘Evening in the Park’ (Photo by Johnny Than)

“This is what Hermann Park does,” Mitchell says. “It brings people together. Different backgrounds, different experiences, different parts of the city, and somehow it all comes together here. Not because anyone planned it that way, but because this park has a way of belonging to everyone.

“Places like this do not just exist. They are cared for. They are shaped. They are protected over time by people who believe they matter. That is the role of the Conservancy, and it is work we do in close partnership with the City of Houston and so many leaders who deeply care about this park.”

Tina Ortiz, Lisa Johnson, HPARD Director Kenneth Allen — Tina Ortiz, Lisa johnson, Kenneth Allen at Hermann Park Conservancy’s “Evening in the Park” (Photo by Johnny Than)

PC Seen: Herman Park Conservancy president and CEO Cara Lambright, Houston Parks and Recreation Department director Kenneth Allen, City of Houston Chief Economic Development Officer Gwendolyn Tillotson-Bell, Cece Fowler and Mack Fowler, Paula and Reginald DesRoches, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Allison and Troy Thacker, Meg and Dick Weekly, Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Derrick Mitchell, Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Kathryn and Travis Boeker, and John Bishop.