At-Large Position 5

Parks and Open Space Ordinance Update

At the February 3 and March 3, 2026, Budget & Fiscal Affairs (BFA) Committee meetings, the Houston Parks and Recreation, Planning, and Legal departments provided updates on the open space ordinance. This ordinance requires residential developers to dedicate land or pay a fee in lieu of dedication based on the number of housing units built. The city uses this funding to acquire new parkland or improve existing parks. Since 2007, the city has gained over nearly $100 million and 65 acres in parkland from the ordinance. These park dedication funds support our existing system and help secure matching grants from local, state, and federal sources. Additionally, we must update the ordinance to come into compliance with state code. Ordinance updates are currently in progress. See additional documents below:

• February 3 BFA meeting presentation
• March 3 BFA meeting presentation
• March 3 BFA follow up materials:
  • 2016 to 2023 Parks Investment Report
  • Open Space Ordinance Additional Information
  • Park Sector Acquisitions Report
• April 30 Planning Commission presentation
• Link to existing open space ordinance