HENDERSON PARK RECEIVES LONE STAR LEGACY PARK DESIGNATION
(courtesy City of Brenham)
Brenham’s Henderson Park has been designated as a Lone Star Legacy Park.
The Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) honored the city’s park with the designation at the TRAPS Annual Institute on Wednesday in College Station.
A Lone Star Legacy Park is a park that holds special prominence in the local community and the state of Texas. TRAPS says the designation is “one of the highest honors bestowed on a park.”
Legacy Parks must be at least 50 years old and designated as a public park. They must also meet one of the following criteria:
- The property represents distinctive design and/or construction.
- The park is associated with historical events or sites.
- The park is associated with events specific to the local community or state.
- The park is home to unique natural features.
Henderson Park is one of three parks in Texas to receive the honor in the 11th year of the program, the others being Givens District Park in Austin and Hermann Square in Houston.
Henderson Park was formerly known as North End Park, created by local entrepreneur and community supporter Ed Henderson during the Jim Crow Era. Henderson allotted parts of his corn, cotton and pecan tree fields to create a park that could host large events and a sports field where the Black community could play safely. In 1950, Henderson deeded the park to the City of Brenham, and in 1994 the city formally dedicated the park in Henderson’s memory.
Over the past 11 years, 65 parks have been designated as Lone Star Legacy Parks. TRAPS says the parks “have endured the test of time and have become iconic to those who have visited, played, and rested on their grounds.”
Click here to read more about the history of Henderson Park.