Emancipation Park Grand Reopening!

For more information, including schedule and vendor details, please visit www.juneteenthfest.com or email info@juneteenthfest.com

Emancipation Park will serve as ground-zero for a variety of programs serving all ages in the areas of education, wellness, fitness, and sports. In addition to programming, Emancipation Park will also host seminars, town hall meetings, conferences, concerts, plays, exhibitions, festivals and the Juneteenth Festival for all to come and enjoy.

About Emancipation Park:
Emancipation Park, located in Houston’s Third Ward, is the oldest park site in the City of Houston. It was originally part of the land granted in 1839 to James S. Holman, who had served as Houston’s first mayor. The parcel was purchased for $800 in 1872 by a group of black community leaders (Jack Yates, Elias Dibble, Richard Allen & Richard Brock) in celebration of Juneteenth (the anniversary of the emancipation of African-Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865). Today, Emancipation Park, an 11.7 acre jewel located between Houston’s thriving central business district and the world renowned Texas Medical Center, is pressing forward with a $33.6 million renovation and construction project. The park’s master plan provides for restoration of the community center and pool house; construction of a new recreation center; off-site parking; multi-purpose space to accommodate gatherings of up to 3,000; enhancement of outdoor experiences including picnic areas, a baseball field, tennis court, basketball court, play area and event, exhibition and performance space, as well as an interactive visitor’s center and souvenir retail shop. Designed by highly respected and noted architect Phil Freelon of the global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will, and the design visionary behind some of America’s most respected cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., the new Emancipation Park is certain to take its place among the nation’s most respected parks and green space destinations.