H-GAC honors Mont Belvieu’s Park
February 13, 2024
The Houston-Galveston Area Council recognized Mont Belvieu’s Hackberry Park-Phase 1 as an award winner in its annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards Program.
“We are honored and excited to win H-GAC’s Parks and Natural Areas Award,” said Mont Belvieu Parks and Recreation Director Dustin Schubert.
“Projects like this are a true team effort, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share this with everyone that played a part in making Hackberry Park a reality for Mont Belvieu’s residents.”
H-GAC established the Parks and Natural Areas Awards in 2006 to highlight best practices and innovative approaches to parks planning and implementation.
H-GAC honors projects in the categories of Projects Over $500,000, Projects Under $500,000, Planning Process/Policy Tools, and Programming. Mont Belvieu’s Hackberry Park-Phase 1 project has won the Projects Over $500,000 category.
Initially slated as a 20-plus year project, the 200-acre Hackberry Park, which features over 70 acres of ponds, opened Phase 1 to the public after just five short years on April 19, 2023.
The park’s development was boosted by the demand for dirt as a part of the construction of SH 99/Grand Parkway and thanks to generous donations from ONEOK and other area partners.
Phase 1 of Hackberry Park’s development features a robust trail system, stocked and interconnected pond system, hundreds of new trees, and parking infrastructure.
The expansive Hackberry Park makes a beautiful and natural entry into Mont Belvieu for travelers exiting the Grand Parkway, also known as SH 99.
Marked with an amenity bridge that harkens back to the city’s important role in the Texas oil boom, Hackberry Park gives Mont Belvieu’s residents an outdoor haven that’s perfect for short afternoon strolls or longer heart-pumping hikes.
The park’s 70 acres of interconnected ponds are perfect for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Hackberry Park also plays an important role in keeping Mont Belvieu safe; the park is designed to flood and gives the city an abundance of storm water detention during large weather events.
Since its opening last April, the park continues to grow in popularity and in size; Mont Belvieu’s first dog park, located inside of Hackberry Park, is slated to open to the public on Feb. 12. Projects recognized by this awards program are selected by a panel of expert judges and industry professionals.
The City of Mont Belvieu and other winners were honored during a celebration on Feb. 9 at the Houston-Galveston Area Council.