It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Houston.
After all, we’re based here! But we also love our city because it’s got a ton of things going for it—one of which is Samir Becic. It’s been almost 4 years since HFR founder Samir Becic was named “Fitness Czar” for the City of Houston! What better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a series of healthy living recommendations for Houstonians?
Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed Samir with the official title on November 1st, 2018 following 16 years of Samir’s dedicated service (starting with Mayor Lee Brown in 2002) to make the city a healthier and fitter place to live. In honor of our founder and his tireless work to make the city a healthier place to live for the past 20 years (as a volunteer and 4 years as “Fitness Czar”), we’ve decided to share some of our favorite healthy Houston recommendations- to see all of our top picks, click here.
Healthy Things to Do at Memorial Park
Memorial Park Conservancy is popular amongst Houstonians for its plethora of fun and healthy activities to do with family and friends or simply by yourself. Memorial Park is going through a ten-year and $205 million renovation to transform the park into an Oasis for its residents, and plans for completion in 2028. Nearly twice as big as Central Park in New York City and open during all four seasons, Memorial Park is a great place to get your daily exercise in, enjoy the outdoors, and relax with nature and the beautiful scenery. The park’s mission is to Preserve, Restore, and Enhance Memorial Park for all Houstonians today and tomorrow. So far, many Houstonians agree that the park has exceeded its mission.
If you ever find yourself enjoying a day at Memorial Park, here are the Top 10 healthy and fun activities you can do during your time at Memorial Park.
Mountain Biking
At the park, the trails located in the Bayou Wilds are amazing for Mountain Bikers. The Mountain Biking is designed to the speed and geometry of the bikes, with color-coded maps and trailhead signs, for guaranteed safety.
Croquet
The croquet court is across from the Memorial Park Tennis Center and is often frequented by the Houston Croquet Association. Though it may seem like an easy game, the mental clarity, focus, and precision required to be successful at Croquet may surprise you, and the health benefits that come along with it are vast, which you can read about here.
Golf
The Memorial Park Golf Course is considered one of the best municipal courses in the country! The course now has a state-of-the-art water retention system and new grasses. The Astros Golf Foundation funded the project and hired world-renowned Architect Tom Doak for the renovation. The course plans to Host the Houston Open this year from November 10-13. Not to mention this golf course is one of two public PGA courses that are open to the public for $25!
Indoor Fitness and Swimming
The Memorial Park Fitness Center has a variety of weight and resistance equipment with trainers, and the pool is open during the summer season. Daily or monthly memberships are available at a small fee. Learning to swim is often the only hurdle you have to face, but with time and consistent effort, it can be an easy skill to acquire that comes with a multitude of benefits in return.
Tennis
The Memorial Park Tennis Center has 18 hard surface courts, a pro shop with lockers, and a practice wall. They also have leagues, tournaments, lessons, and corporate outings available for visitors. Tennis is a great activity that can keep you in shape no matter your age, and it keeps your cardiovascular and muscular systems in top shape even as you age.
Hiking
The park has over thirty miles for running, walking, and hiking. All hiking trails are measured and designed according to movement by foot to give guests a safe and active pathway during their hike. Hiking offers tremendous benefits for your physical and mental health and well-being!
Sand Volleyball
The park has four sand volleyball courts with picnic tables, bleachers, and grassy open spaces. Sand volleyball carries all the same health benefits as its indoor cousin and adds a few of its own, thanks to the unique qualities of a sand court, which you can read here.
Baseball/Softball
The sports fields are on both the north and south sides of the park and are available for softball, baseball, soccer, and flag football. However, these fields are only available for league and tournament play.
Running/Walking
The Seymoure Liberman Exer-trail is 3.0 miles with exercise stations. Many of the trails at Memorial park have been designed to create mobility throughout the park, promote safety, and improve user experience. Each trail and pathway is designed for a specific user group to reduce conflict and give guests a good experience when they come. The Seymoure Liberman trail, in particular, connects to multi-use trails over the Land Bridge, providing easy access to the Running Trail Center and the Timing Track. This pedestrian-only 24/7 trail allows runners to advance their speed and gain better running skills.
Cycling/Skating
The Picnic Loop at Memorial Park is recommended for cyclers and skaters because of its smooth surface, and don’t worry if you don’t own a bike! Bike rentals are available for all guests at the Cullen Running Trails Center and the Picnic Loop! Cycling is one of the best full-body workouts to keep you fit on the outside, but it also helps keep you fit on the inside! And skating is not only a fun activity, but it offers plenty of great health benefits for your body and can be done anywhere, like the Picnic Loop at Memorial Park!
