By: Al Green Press
The Houston Parks Board and the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis honored Congressman Al Green by naming a new pavilion within Hill at Sims Park in Sunnyside in his honor during the park’s community celebration and grand opening. Public officials, community leaders, and residents joined the celebration of the new nature- based park, a collaborative project that transformed a 100-acre Harris County Flood Control District detention basin into a regional destination for recreation, connectivity, and environmental sustainability. During the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations process, Congressman Green secured a $1 million federal grant to support the construction of the Hill at Sims/Scott Street Greenway Multi-Use Trail, which connects local schools and surrounding community facilities.
Congressman Al Green stated, “I am honored to be recognized in Sunnyside, a community with a rich his- tory. Hill at Sims Park represents the power of partnership, public investment, and community vision. I trust that families from Sunnyside, the Greater Houston area, and visitors from across the globe will enjoy this park, the Scott Street Greenway, and the opportuni- ties they create for recreation, connection, and community for many years to come.”
The grand opening of the Hill at Sims Regional Park on Saturday, May 30, 2026, marked a historic moment for South Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood. For fifty years, this historic community went without a single new park. The opening of this 100-acre greenspace changes that narrative completely. More than just a collection of walking trails and open grass, the Hill at Sims is a powerful example of how smart engineering and teamwork can lift up a neighborhood. By combining vital flood protection with beautiful recreational spaces, the park delivers a profound impact on the Sunnyside community, addressing long-standing needs for safety, physical health, neighborhood pride, and equal investment.
First and foremost, the park provides an immediate and crucial safety benefit through modern flood protection. Sunnyside and its surrounding areas have historically faced severe flood risks during heavy Texas rainstorms. The Hill at Sims directly addresses this vulnerability because it is built around a massive stormwater detention basin managed by the Harris County Flood Control District. This engineered basin can hold up to 325 million gallons of stormwater pumped out of nearby Sims Bayou, keeping that water out of local streets and living rooms. In the past, infrastructure projects like detention basins were often treated as fenced- off, ugly concrete holes in the ground. By turning this vital safety feature into a beautiful public park, the county proved that protecting a neighborhood from natural disasters does not mean ruining its visual landscape.
The project gives residents peace of mind during storm season while providing an asset they can enjoy every single day. Building a project this large and unique required a massive financial team effort called a public-private partnership. The entire project cost $30 million, which was pulled together using a blend of public tax dollars and private donations. The bulk of the money, totaling $22 million, came from public funding. This effort was led by Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, alongside federal and state grants championed by U.S. Congressman Al Green and Texas State Representative Dr. Alma Allen. The remaining $8 million was contributed through private philanthropy, highlighted by a generous lead gift from The Brown Foundation.
Other dedicated organizations joined the effort too, including the Houston Parks Board, Trees for Houston, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
