Memorial Park Conservancy, along with partners the City of Houston, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Kinder Foundation, and Uptown Houston, are celebrating the grand opening of Memorial Park’s transformational land bridge and prairie project.

The Buffalo Bayou partnership received a $100 million grant from the Kinder Foundation for a major expansion of Buffalo Bayou Park.

The Buffalo Bayou Partnership is expected to make an announcement about a donation at a news conference Monday, the organization said.

HOUSTON Four local partners came together to help struggling Houstonians pay their rent amid the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic slowdown. Houston Endowment, the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund, the Kinder Foundation, and the Houston Texans owner and co-founder Janice McNair contributed $5 million for the city of Houstons second rental relief package. The federal government, through the CARES Act, contributed 75% of the $20 million rental program, announced Wednesday by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. So many are struggling to provide for their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, said McNair in a press release. Im thankful to Mayor Turner for providing programs focused on assisting our neighbors.Heres a breakdown of the money contributed by the partners:

HOUSTON Memorial Park Conservancy and project partners at Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Kinder Foundation and the Uptown Development Authority are unveiling the new Clay Family Eastern Glades at Memorial Park, and there are 100 acres of open space for relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation. We got a special tour, and its gorgeous! Located just north of memorial drive, between Memorial Park Golf Course and Crestwood drive, the Eastern Glades offer more trails and boardwalks to enjoy, more restrooms, more parking, and honors the parks military history. Shellye Arnold, President and CEO of Memorial Park Conservancy joined Lauren Kelly to chat about the projects key features and amenities, and heres what visitors can expect:-100 acres of open space for relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation-5 -acre Hines Lake and wetlands with beautiful sunset views-3 pavilions and 4 picnic areas-2 miles of new trails explore, including boardwalks along the lake and wetlands-5 -acre central lawn for passive recreation such as strolling, picnicking, and relaxing-Live oak court for concessions and events-Over 50 unique quotes from Houstonians about how memorial park inspires them, selected by Madison Petaway, the 2020 Houston Youth Poet Laureate-Additional parking, dark sky lighting, water fountains for people and pups, benches, and bike racks-Over 150 native species add biodiversity and wildlife habitat to the park-Nearly 40 acres of restored habitat-An additional 550 new native trees-Rain gardens and bioswales receive runoff from roofs and parking lots, slowing and purifying stormwater-The edge of Hines Lake supports 1 acres of emergent wetlands-The wetlands plants provide healthy habitat and also clean the stormwater that flows through Hines Lake on its way to Memorial Parks largest tributary leading into Buffalo BayouFor more information in the new Clay Family Eastern Glades at Memorial Park, check out their website.

HOUSTON – Kinder Foundation is donating $1 million to Houston Food Bank to assist in feeding those impacted by COVID-19. “This gift by Kinder Foundation is vital to our COVID response.”This donation is the latest gift to Houston Food Bank from Kinder Foundation, whose support goes back to 2008. “Being able to feed yourself and your family is fundamental to the quality of your life,” Nancy Kinder, president and chief executive officer of Kinder Foundation, said. “We are fortunate to have the Houston Food Bank to provide hunger relief year-round. The Kinder Foundation is deeply proud to support the Houston Food Bank during this turbulent time.”