Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

HANC

Location within Memorial Park

The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center (155 acres) is a non-profit arboretum and nature center located in Memorial Park at 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, Texas. It is open daily with free admission.^[1]

The arboretum was first conceived by Robert A. Vines, and in 1951 park land was set aside by the City Council for the Houston Botanical Society. (Today's arboretum is somewhat smaller than its initial 265-acre (1.07 km²) site.) The children's botanical hall was funded in 1966, and nature center begun in 1967. The Houston Arboretum is managed by the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Board of Directors and staff under an agreement with the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department.^[2]

The organization was renamed in the 1980s; donations in the 1990s provided for major renovations and expansions.^[2]

Today the arboretum contains over five miles (8 km) of nature trails, with forest, pond, wetland, and meadow habitats. Specialty gardens include a Hummingbird & Butterfly Island, Sensory Garden, and Wildlife Garden.^[2] It is a favorite date spot for Houstonians.^[3]

References[]

^ "Web Site". Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "About - Houston Arboretum & Nature Center". Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
^ Hernandez, Sandra (February 8, 2017). "COVER STORY; Where to woo your one and only this Valentine's Day". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 7, 2017.