The black-bellied whistling ducks are back in force

Large flocks of black-bellied whistling ducks

are a delight to watch at the corporate pond 

adjoining Terry Hershey Park & Playground 

on Memorial Drive West of Eldridge Parkway 

Playgrounds and play areas for children in the Energy Corridor

Terry Hershey Park

on Memorial Drive between Eldridge and Highway 6

The enclosed playground with play equipment and the Kids Fit exercise area are part of the Terry Hershey Park and Trail System. The hike and bike trail extends to the Beltway in the East, and to George Bush Park in the West. The kid's section of Terry Hershey Park is located on Memorial Drive West of Eldridge Parkway, with parking on the South and access from the North over pedestrian bridges over Langham Creek from another parking lot adjoining Katy Freeway inbound feeder, that also serves hikers and bikers that want to use the new extension of Terry Hershey Trail to the North to Addicks Dam via Katy Freeway underpass. Watch out for cyclists on the trail, which is a rather narrow multi-use paved trail that can get very busy. The speed limit for cyclists is 10MPH, but is not always observed. 

Enclosed children's play area at Terry Hershey Park on Memorial Drive

Duck pond on corporate campus adjoining Terry Hershey Park to the West

Ray Miller Park on Eldridge Parkway

This is a small park on Eldridge surrounded by luxury apartment complexes. It features two enclosed play areas for kids of different ages; multiple pavilions, restrooms and a drinking fountain; a boardwalk is located at the center; and a walking path winds its way along the perimeters of this small recreational oasis. Picnic tables with BBQ pits are located throughout. Ray Miller Park is small but very popular with neighborhood residents. The parking lot off Eldridge is often filled to capacity. Dogs and bikes are not allowed in this park.

Playground at Ray Miller Park on Eldridge Parkway across from Eclipse Apartments at Crescent Circle.

Denise's Playground and Gazebo at Miller Park

Drinking water fountain at Ray Miller Park near playground area at pavilion

George Bush Park South of Westheimer Parkway

This section of George Bush Park (named for first President Bush, who played a role in Buffalo Bayou wetlands preservation as then-congressman from Houston) is located South of Westheimer Parkway and accessible via South Barker-Cypress Boulevard. This is a large public park with vast surrounding fields. It has running water and restroom facilities and can accommodate large groups in pavilions for weekend get-togethers and special events. Pavilions can be reserved. Parking is not a problem here in this park, which serves all age groups and various interest, including aficionados of kite-flying. The surrounding flatlands are part of the reservoir and therefore flood after heavy rains. To the South, near the power line, is a duck pond with its own small parking lot, picnic tables and benches overlooking the lake, which is frequently visited by birds of various species throughout the year. Unlike other parts of Bush Park, such as Noble Road Trail, this area is open grassland, with only a few scattered trees, and thus exposed to the sun in the summer. 

OTHER PARKS: Cullen Park with multiple playgrounds, sports fields and facilities incl baseball and soccer; and picnic areas; velodrome; and Cullen Park Trail; Sergeant Hatch Sports Park (skateboarding and volley ball)

MAPS SHOWING PARK LOCATIONS

Duck lake and playground at George Bush Park - Westheimer Parkway / S. Barker Cypress Blvd.

Kids Fit Exercise Area at Terry Hershey Park next to former Exxon Campus
South of Katy Freeway

Aerial view of Ray Miller Park on Eldridge Parkway South of Briar Forest

Terry Hershey Park - Amenities and features (photos)

Large pavilion (above) with sun dial behind it; smaller gazebo with table and benches (below)

Small gazebo at Terry Hershey Park with table and benches 

near playground and restroom facility with running water and drinking fountain outside

Wooden picnic table and bench inside gazebo
near parking lot and playground area for  small children

Terry Hershey Park - Access from Memorial Dr with parking lot

Terry Hershey Park Entrance to Parking Lot seen from Memorial Dr. (Feb 2013)
Terry Hershey Park has restroom facility, pavilions, kids' playground, sun dial, kid fit exercise area, many ducks in park and at (and in) pond on neighboring corporate campus (fenced off)