Buffalo Bayou has been a defining feature of Houston for nearly two centuries. Stretching 52 miles from the Texas prairie to the Gulf of Mexico, Buffalo Bayou has played a central role in shaping the city from a quiet port in 1836 to one of the largest cities in the nation.
Over the years, it has served as a major route for trade, a gathering place for the community, and a space for relaxation and recreation. Since 1986, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) has been invested in preserving and improving the waterway for the entire community. Today, in a public/private partnership with the City of Houston, BBP manages a 10-mile stretch of the bayou, spanning from Shepherd Drive through downtown and out to the Port of Houston Turning Basin.
Keeping Buffalo Bayou clean is a big part of BBP's mission. In 2023 alone, they removed 2,000 cubic yards of trash and debris—the equivalent of 167 commercial dump truck loads—preventing it from reaching Galveston Bay.
To mark its 10-year milestone, BBP has launched the "Year in 10s" campaign. This initiative celebrates the park's anniversary and highlights BBP's impact across the entire 10-mile stretch of Buffalo Bayou.
Buffalo Bayou Park has been a part of Houston's landscape since October 2015, covering 160 acres and becoming one of the city's most popular green spaces. As it approaches its 10th anniversary, it has become difficult to imagine Houston without it. More than just a park, it features public art, extensive trails, and the Cistern—an underground reservoir transformed into a space for art exhibits by world-renowned artists.
Many well-known sites are part of the park, including Eleanor Tinsley Park, The Water Works, Johnny Steele Dog Park, and the Waugh Bat Bridge. Other landmarks, such as the Houston Police Officers' Memorial, Tapley Tributary, Wortham Foundation Grove, and Lost Lake, are also part of the expansive green space. Over the years, the park has evolved into more than a scenic retreat within the city – it serves as a central gathering place where people come together to explore, connect, and experience Houston's outdoor spaces in new ways.
Beyond the park, BBP has been working on improving connectivity and expanding public spaces along Buffalo Bayou East. This section, running from US-59 to the Port of Houston Turning Basin, is the focus of the Buffalo Bayou East 10-Year Plan.
Spanning from 2022 to 2032, the Buffalo Bayou East 10-Year Plan aims to create new parks, cultural hubs, and vibrant, connected neighborhoods. BBP has made significant progress thanks to gifts from the Kinder Foundation and public support from Harris County and the City of Houston. In just three years, they've opened a new neighborhood park and an affordable housing community, with ongoing engagement efforts in the Greater East End and Fifth Ward to shape what comes next.
Looking ahead, BBP remains committed to strengthening connections between people and nature, keeping the bayou clean, and making Houston a greener, more welcoming place. Whether through the Year in 10s celebration or the Buffalo Bayou East projects, the goal remains to create spaces where the city can come together and thrive. buffalobayou.org