Dear Friends For nearly 40 years, Buffalo Bayou Partnership has been designing, building, activating, and stewarding beloved and award-winning public spaces. From Sesquicentennial Park, which opened in 1998, to plans for Buffalo Bayou East taking place today, the organization has worked diligently to create parks, trails, and vibrant destinations that all Houstonians and visitors to our city can enjoy. Through our community engagement efforts, BBP’s spaces reflect the desires of the neighborhood residents with whom we work. One of the most notable recent projects, Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou, responds to the community’s need for affordable housing. Integrated into more than 10 acres of green space along the eastern stretch of Buffalo Bayou, the 80-unit apartment complex represents a new way of thinking about park development and community planning. As we design Buffalo Bayou’s parks and trails, we continually consider who will be using our spaces and how they will be using them. Whether for recreation, respite, or entertainment, we pay attention to every last detail. From slides and swings in Tony Marron Park’s playground to lighting design for trail safety and visionary public art, we believe each element shapes the visitor experience. Nevertheless, it’s not enough to think only about how people use our spaces. BBP also considers what it takes to attract and protect wildlife. In 2023, our organization’s conservation team spent hours surveying existing invasive and native species to inform the design of Buffalo Bayou East sites and collaborated with Harris County Flood Control District on a bank stabilization and restoration project in Buffalo Bayou Park. In the year ahead, we look forward to activating existing spaces and bringing community events to new spaces in Buffalo Bayou East. With all BBP programming, volunteer activities, and tours, we are committed to creating spaces that can be experienced by people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Please join us as we continue making space for all. Sincerely,
Gaynell Floyd Drexler 2023 BOARD CHAIR
Anne Olson PRESIDENT
For Community We build upon our legacy to make spaces that are foundational for the community.
We believe that the best way to make spaces unique and meaningful is through authentic and consistent community involvement. For decades, our dedicated team has woven the input of thousands of individuals into our plans. We continue to enlist community leaders once spaces are open, enabling those who use these amenities to help devise their programming and contribute to sustaining their natural environments.
We make spaces to reflect and enhance the communities they serve.
Buffalo Bayou Park Buffalo Bayou Park is a vibrant, thriving space that draws visitors from around the Houston region and beyond, providing a true sense of belonging and offering opportunities for recreation, relaxation, inspiration, and connection. People from all walks of life can visit the park and
experience something unique each time – whether it is spotting river otters gliding through the bayou waters, joining a Wellness Walk, hosting a picnic in Eleanor Tinsley Park, grooving to music during Jazzy Sundays, or exploring the cathedrallike Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern.
Community Engagement We broadened our horizons this year in community engagement efforts, expanding our reach to new audiences and media. To answer the needs of the community and strive for inclusivity across all spaces, BBP increased regular Spanish language Cistern and boat tours and Wellness Walks. We also unveiled a new visual identity and website to better reflect our mission, values, and goals. Our first virtual guide, through Bloomberg Connects, offers visitors from near and far the opportunity to explore Buffalo Bayou Park and enhance their experience through self-guided tours, deeper dives into history and design, and behind-the-scenes access.
Over the past year, our Buffalo Bayou Park Volunteer Program engaged more than 2,600 individuals in approximately 8,000 cumulative hours of service. Through these efforts, volunteers were instrumental in mitigating the spread of invasive species, planting new trees and plants, clearing trails of trash and debris, and ultimately improving the resiliency of our public spaces. At BBP’s annual KBR Kids Day in the fall, thousands of families participated in free activities at Tony Marron Park, a key site in the ongoing Buffalo Bayou East transformation. From an immersive butterfly exhibit to local performances, artisan vendors, and nature-based activities, this community event exemplified how public space can bring people of all ages together.
Buffalo Bayou East We make spaces for the future.
Transformational projects require sustained time, talent, and support to be realized. Buffalo Bayou East, spanning from US 59 to the Port of Houston, is a commitment to the future of Houston’s historic waterway, providing increased connectivity across the 10 miles BBP stewards, enhancing public green spaces in the East End and Fifth Ward, and investing in these historic neighborhoods. Although progress may at times seem incremental, every milestone is a step toward a more connected, resilient, and community-driven future for Buffalo Bayou.
In 2023, BBP made significant strides in many areas of Buffalo Bayou East. After breaking ground on the Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou income-inclusive housing project in late 2022, construction accelerated rapidly. This 80-unit, multi-family building responds to the increased need for affordable housing in Houston. Nestled within 10 acres of green space, Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou will offer mixed-income housing with direct access to trails, parks, and spaces for play and gathering in a central location close to downtown Houston. Construction is slated for completion in summer 2024. Behind the scenes, BBP was hard at work designing and planning for major Buffalo Bayou East projects, including Tony Marron Park; the green space at Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou; and the first phase of Turkey Bend, a post-industrial warehouse and waterfront wharf. Designs for trail connections on the north and south banks of the bayou just east of US 59 progressed, as well as Marron Park Way, a new street that will connect Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou to Tony Marron Park. BBP also succeeded in acquiring seven new properties and easements to secure connectivity between Buffalo Bayou East spaces.
← LOCKWOOD ON BUFFALO BAYOU
For Culture We make spaces to illuminate what makes us unique.
The lush green spaces, expansive trail network, repurposed civic infrastructure, and the waterway itself all make what BBP offers unique. Our events and programs are geared toward connecting people with these spaces and animating them with one-of-a-kind experiences. Through nature walks, educational boat tours, film screenings, and more, visitors have an abundance of opportunities to engage with Buffalo Bayou.
← CISTERN ILLUMINATED
We make spaces that showcase local artists and inspire creativity. Programs In 2023, the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern was activated with light and sound through a range of offerings. Regular Sound Healing Meditation classes provided a deeply immersive experience of resounding crystal bowls and chimes to allow participants to connect to themselves and find tranquility in the cool, cavernous space. The Cistern was enhanced by Underground Sounds, an array of enchanting musical performances in collaboration with local performers, and Cistern Illuminated, a winter installation of colored lights that came alive with choral performances by the Schola Cantorum of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. With both programs, the angles, acoustics, reflections, and illusory qualities of this historic site were amplified.
Public Art Public art is a key component of BBP’s efforts to create vibrant and inclusive spaces. From landmark permanent sculptures within Buffalo Bayou Park and downtown to temporary, site-specific installations in the Cistern, and longer term creative collaborations with artists in residence, we seek to integrate art consistently and seamlessly into the bayou landscape. 2023 saw the return of NIGHT LIGHT to Tony Marron Park. Presented in partnership with Aurora Picture Show, this year’s event featured video and multimedia installations by local Houston artists Chap Edmonson, Jamie Robertson, and INPUT OUTPUT. For one night only, this East End park was activated with immersive artworks inspired by and responding to the distinct infrastructural elements of the landscape for thousands of visitors to experience.
← NIGHT LIGHT
We make spaces that honor history and culture.
Turkey Bend In April, BBP hosted an open house at Turkey Bend, a dramatic waterfront site within Buffalo Bayou East that will become a cultural and recreational hub. The future of Turkey Bend will include a renovated warehouse for community retail space; an open plaza and graffiti art tunnel; a transformed wharf for gathering, performances, and events; and a new boating center on a protected oxbow. Focused on the massive amounts of graffiti at this former barge terminal, the event included a panel of architects, planners, and artists. Topics
of discussion included the role of graffiti and street art in similar adaptive reuse projects, the impulse behind the creation of graffiti, and the differences behind sanctioned and nonsanctioned street art. Through this dynamic program, we were able to highlight Turkey Bend’s vibrant layers of graffiti with the public and share plans for the future of the site.
For Nature We make spaces for people and nature.
Not only does BBP seek to make space for the community to connect with nature, we also preserve space for nature to thrive. Through removing invasive species, establishing and cultivating native plants and ecosystems, and monitoring wildlife habitat, our conservation team can evaluate the health of our urban landscapes and develop plans to bolster their long-term sustainability.
Conservation One of our most significant conservation projects was the Buffalo Bayou Park Revegetation and Biostabilization Project, conducted in collaboration with the Harris County Flood Control District. Embankments were seeded with native seed mixes and planted with a variety of grasses, shrubs, and trees whose root systems will stabilize the soil over time, reduce erosion, and foster a healthy riparian zone. Planting was completed in 2023, and a
two-year monitoring period will follow to ensure successful establishment. To engage the public with our conservation efforts, Buffalo Bayou Partnership hosts a program series called Summer Species focusing on the different flora and fauna that can be found along the bayou. This year, we explored the exciting world of birds. In partnership with Houston Audubon, we flocked together to discover the birds that call Buffalo Bayou home through birding walks, boat tours, lunch and learns, children’s story time, and an outdoor film series.
← SUMMER SPECIES BIRDING BOAT TOUR → BAYOU-VAC
Green Space and Waterway Maintenance On land, BBP’s maintenance team was at work daily in Buffalo Bayou Park, downtown, and on the trail network. Over the year, with the support of many volunteers, we planted 39,500 trees, 5,000 plants, and installed more than 560 cubic yards of mulch. In addition, the BBP team worked tirelessly to keep our green spaces clean, clear of debris, and open for the public to enjoy. On the water, the BBP waterway cleanup team collected and removed more than 2,000 cubic yards of floatable trash from the
bayou: enough to fill approximately 167 commercial dump trucks. Over the past 20 years, this hardworking team has observed, learned, and responded to the changing needs of trash management and mitigation on Buffalo Bayou. Today, they can be found on the water in an innovative custom-built boat known as the Bayou-Vac, removing trash and debris and ensuring the bayou’s resiliency for years to come.
An exciting development this year was commencement of construction at Japhet Creek, improving this City of Houston park and historic Buffalo Bayou tributary. The Fifth Ward pocket park, located along Clinton Drive on the north side of the bayou, will feature a new entry plaza, expanded trailways for increased accessibility and recreation, native grasses and wildflowers, and enhanced lighting for safety and programming. In late 2023, BBP’s maintenance and conservation teams began work within Japhet Creek Park to ensure plants, trees, and landscaping were successfully established. In the coming years, this park will be connected to the waterfront by way of a trail following along the path of the creek and to Tony Marron Park with a bayou-crossing pedestrian bridge.
Our organization’s work is comprehensive and takes the support of many—from community members and governmental officials to volunteers and generous donors. BBP appreciates all the partners who have joined with us this year to safeguard Buffalo Bayou and invest in transformational spaces for a stronger, healthier, and more livable Houston.
Donors GENERAL OPERATIONS
$10,000-30,000 Ralph B. Abendshein Bank of America Charitable Foundation George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Emily Keeton Laura Keeton McVey Port Houston Rhythm Energy Allison Sarofim
$1,000-9,999 Susan and Jon Allen Berg Hospitality Group Ann Blankinship Maureen and Ric Campo Carter Rae and Mike Carpenter Nicole and Brian Cates Chevron Matching Employee Funds Sallie C. Morian and Michael Clark The Crain Foundation
Crestwood Christy and Louis Cushman Susan and Tom Dawson in honor of Richard P. Dawson Andrew Delaney Foundation Rachel and Bruce Deskin Virginia W. Hoops and Lee Doggett Gaynell Floyd Drexler Kathryn and Gary Dudley The Dufour Giving Fund David Ellis C. Richard Everett Marie Fay and Steve Evnochides Blanca Avery and Chuck German Heimbinder Family Foundation Gena and Dave Helm Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation Houck Family Foundation Lee Huber Zach Kaplan Katz Coffee Jan-Claire Phillips and Jerry Kendall Kathy and Randy Lake Shelli and Steve Lindley in honor of Nancy Abendshein Robert J. Lorio
Edward Main in memory of Patricia F. Main Fred Marshall in memory of my loving wife Linda John S. Moody Naik Family Neste US, Inc. Ryan O'Connor Pamela and James Pool Monica and Brad Radoff Robertson-Finley Foundation Buffi and Bruce Robinson Kyttie Sanford and Betsy Peterson Sanford Gillian Stude Sarofim Melanie and Danny Savitz Scurlock Foundation Shell Oil Company Foundation Matching Gifts Program Vivian L. Smith Foundation Carrie and Michael St. Croix Keith and Mattie Stevenson Foundation The Tapeats Fund Judy and Charles Tate Nancy P. Thompson John E. Walsh, Jr.
BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP REGATTA On March 11th, more than 400 paddlers joined the 51st Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta, the largest canoe and kayak race in Texas. There were many firsts this year, including a new route, which began and finished at Allen’s Landing and allowed paddlers to see a different side of Buffalo Bayou.
Williams Companies The Winston Charitable Foundation Wolff Family Foundation Teresa and Jimmy Wong Family Foundation Sallie and Bob Wright
$100-999 AIG Julie and William Alford Amazonsmile Anonymous in honor of Campbell Ball Wedding Lisa Young and Matt Assiff Laura Avant Trevor A. Beck Dries Berghman Chris Bilton Janice Bond Samantha Bonick Tim Brace in honor of Austin Warren David Breece III Catherine Callaway Sarah Abare and Chris Carlberg Gayl and Chuck Carlberg Janet Clark Holli Clements
John H. Compton Laura Conely Mark Conely Ken Council Kathy Crittenden Daniel Currens Marci Dallas Rasheed Dhuka Dee Dee Dochen Ellen and Frank Donnelly in honor of Judy and Charles Tate Linda Shead and Tom Douglas Helen and Gary Dowling Fareed Elhaj Embark Consulting Gayle and Robert M. Eury Becca Followill Rachel and Edward Folse Nelly and Felix Fraga Alejandro Gallardo Joshua P. Galvan Mike Garver Jacqueline M. and Robert Gates Christi Gell Getty Images Rick Gilpin Ross Scott Griffey
Rita and Mike Grogan Diana Gross Renee Guckenburg Guy Hagstette Maarit and W. Russell Harp Kathleen Hayes Kay and David Hedges Alexandra Hernandez-Noergaard Huitt-Zollars, Inc. Bill Hull Trevor Hull Insperity Karen and Dallas Ives Mark Janzer Edwin Jennings Johnson 2010 Management Trust Sis and Hasty Johnson William Johnson Mark Folkes and Christopher Johnston George Johnston Pat and David Jones JPMorgan Chase Foundation Scott Kelley Kendra Scott LLC Kay House and Boo Kennedy in honor of Wooch Graff
Iain Kennedy Kimley-Horn Marie Louise and David Kinder Cindee Klement Chris Knapp Kroger Geoffrey S. Lakings Dr. Julia Lamb Molly and Duncan Lamme Colin Latham Harriet and Truett Latimer Lazard Laura F. and Barry E. Leavitt Virginia Lew Evan Douglas Lewis Meredith and William Lewis Olivia Djibo and Olivier Lhommet LJA Engineering, Inc. Karl Long Marley Lott Melissa McDonnell Lujan Lisa Madry Garrick Malone Allison and Duncan Manley Kahler, Kristian, and Conrad Marlow in honor of Clayton and Shel Erikson Peter Marmo
COCKTAILS IN BLOOM In June, BBP supporters gathered for the second annual Cocktails in Bloom. The venue was The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park on the covered terrace where over 100 guests enjoyed refreshing cocktails, tasty bites from M Express Thai Kitchen, live music, and tours of the Cistern.
Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty Nathaniel Martinez Laura Devitt and Stephen Massad Danielle and Darrell Maudlin Teresa J. McCanlies Debra McCoy Kelsey and Colin McCulley McNeill Charitable Foundation Anne Mendelsohn Dawna and Tom Menges Michael Migaud Julia Morgan Anne and Jack Moriniere in honor of Richard P. Dawson Darryl Morrison Tami Moschioni Murphy Oil Mindy Travillian and Ivan Musser Elaine J. Matte Mut and Alan D. Mut Fundi Mwamba Tiffany Nelson Kim Nettles Roxann and Tim Neumann Karen and Mark Newell Virginia G. Hodge and Bruce F. Nichols
Paul Norris NRG Randy Odinet Anne and Tom Olson Alexander Ostertag Oxy Anup Parikh Cindy and B. Kelley Parker III The Peterson Foundation Lisa and Greg Pettigrew Patti Lennon-Potter and Bruce Potter Linda Powers Christina and Tristan Propst Aon, Lad Rack Louise and John Joseph Reynolds Rachel Reynolds Jane Rider Winifred and Carleton Riser Karen and Arthur Rogers Barbara Russell Virginia Clarkson and Dr. Mark Ryan Carson and Arthur Seeligson Ellen C. L. Simmons Anne Whitlock and Michael Skelly Thomas Edgar Smith, Jr Janet and H. J. Springer Nicholas Stillman David Swenson Louise Symmes in honor of Chuck Carlberg Bill Bob Tallent Sagnak Tasirlar Betsy and Mitchell Taylor Tellepsen in honor of Anne Olson Anna Toneva Phoebe and Bobby Tudor Mary Anne Piacentini and Drexel Turner Urban Paths Sherri and Hulse Wagner in honor of Mrs. Carol Gibson Wagner Julie and Chris Wallace Megan M. Wiesmann Jo Ann Williams Jonathan Williams Jennifer R. Wittman and L. Fabian Worthing, III Ellen A. Yarrell Joseph Yusz Andrew P. Ziccardi
IN-KIND Giant Texas Distillery Anna C. Hazel Houston Photo Co. + FotoPop M Express Thai Kitchen McKinsey & Company Mendocino Farms Phoenicia Specialty Foods Rebecca Creek Distillery Saint Arnold Brewing Company
BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP REGATTA MARCH 11, 2023
$20,000-21,500 Gillman Subaru Subaru of America, Inc. Share the Love Campaign
$1,000-5,000 BKO Services Carrier Enterprise DCCM The Fay School Freese and Nichols Mike Garver Millis Development & Construction Page Pape-Dawson Engineers Snooze the Heights SWCA Environmental Consultants East River/TEAL Systems/Vero Sade
$100-500 Kimberly and Bradley Dennison Brian Marino Elizabeth D. Williams
IN-KIND Chefs’ Produce ESPN Houston Harris County Flood Control District Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management HOW Water Raising Cane's Saint Arnold Brewing Company Snooze A.M. Eatery TEXSAR Turtlebox US Army Corps of Engineers Watertight Cocktails
KBR KIDS DAY OCTOBER 21, 2023
$15,000-50,000 H-E-B KBR
$1,000-5,000 Conely Foundation First Service Credit Union McDonald's Houston
IN-KIND 365 Things to Do in Houston Houston Family Magazine Houston Parks & Recreation Department
BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP GALA BRANCHING OUT ALONG BUFFALO BAYOU NOVEMBER 2, 2023
$10,000-25,000 Laura and John Arnold Irene and Brian Binash Polly and Murry Bowden CenterPoint Energy Gaynell Floyd Drexler Clayton and Shel Erikson Mike Garver Ann Lents and J. David Heaney H-E-B Julie Peak and David Hightower Hines Sis and Hasty Johnson Kinder Foundation Cornelia C. Long Lugano Diamonds Devin and Ryan McCord in honor of Wendy and Shawn W. Cloonan John P. McGovern Foundation Sally and Robert E. Meadows Susan and Renato Pereira Leigh and Reggie Smith The Allen Development/DC Partners/ Houston EB5/Moderno Porcelain Works/St. Christopher Holdings Tellepsen Family Stephanie and Frank Tsuru
$2,500-7,500 Chinhui and Edward Allen The Greentree Fund and Nancy C. Allen Arthur J. Gallagher Asakura Robinson Lisa Young and Matt Assiff Bonner and George Ball Kristy and Chris Bradshaw Mo and Ric Campo Gayl and Chuck Carlberg Zane and Brady Carruth Wendy and Shawn W. Cloonan Concept Neighborhood Carolyn and Chris Dorros Midway/East River Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P. Meg Gentle Guy Hagstette Hawes Hill & Associates Jereann Chaney and Holland Horton Huitt-Zollars, Inc. Ismaili Council for the Southwestern USA Emily Keeton Michele and Paul Marvin Jennifer and Ben McClure Gretchen and Andrew R. McFarland
Cullen and Robert Muse Alisha N. Nathoo Duyen and Marc Nguyen Judy and Scott Nyquist Cabrina and Steven Owsley in honor of Leigh Smith Page Port Houston Richard Flowers and Angel Rios Winifred and Carleton Riser Beth Robertson Leslie and Shannon Sasser Anat and Chad Shaw Anne Whitlock and Michael Skelly Tellepsen UTHealth Houston Walter P Moore Meg and Dick Weekley Lea Weingarten Geraldina Interiano Wise and Scott W. Wise
$1,000-2,499 Willie J. Alexander Ed Allday Veronica Avila Sandy and Mike Ballases Nancy Glass and John Belmont Jeff Bishop Ann Blankinship Minnette and Peter Boesel Bracewell LLP in honor of Gaynell Floyd Drexler Harvey Clemons Jacquelyn and Collin Cox Susie and Sanford Criner Richard P. Dawson Sara Dodd-Denton and Will Denton in honor of Leigh and Reggie Smith Olivia Djibo Sidney and Ab Fay in honor of Bob Phillips Martha and Richard Finger Janis and George Fleming Cece and Mack Fowler in honor of Anne Olson Janet and Paul Hobby Houston First Corporation Houston Tents & Events HR&A Advisors Kellie Jenks JPMorgan Chase Kimley-Horn Marie Louise and David Kinder Robin and Danny Klaes Stephanie and Richard Langenstein LJA Engineering Michael Hsu Office of Architecture Ginni and Richard Mithoff Audrey and Robb Moses Louise and Gary Moss New Hope Housing
Anne and Tom Olson Tennie and David Ott Marsha and Charlie Parker Alison and Chris Porter Quiddity Engineering Isla and T.R. Reckling Lillie Robertson Edwin Rumsey Sesh Coworking Barbara and Tom Solis Courtney and Bas Solleveld Erin Mincberg Spiegel and Scott Spiegel St. Catherine's Montessori SWA Group Anne Symonds Trilogy Engineering Services Phoebe and Bobby Tudor Veronica and Jim Webb Andrew P. Ziccardi
$100-999 Laura Alaniz Sallie and George A. Alcorn Leslie G. Ashby Charlotte Broussard Tanner Burns Claire P. Caudill Wendie Childress Sheila M. Condon Laura Conely Caroline and Mark Dannenbaum in honor of Cullen Geiselman Muse Rachel and Jerry Davis Marsha Dodson Jesus Donato Kathryn Elise Drexler Stanley Egbo Mack Eisenberg Zion Escobar Sarah Newbery and Garrett Finney Bolivar "Bo" M. Fraga Deborah W. Francis Jeffrey Hancock Fatima Hernandez Heather Hinzie Mary Hinojosa Kelly and Bill Kelly Ann and Tom Kelsey Martin Koenig Douglas L. Lawing Scott Leafe Kristian and Kahler Marlow in honor of Clayton and Shel Erikson Christian Menefee Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. Cydonii Miles Cristina Fernandez and Scott Novich Tina Paez Erin and Adrian Patterson Amy Purvis Douglas Rephlo
Julie and Ian Rosenberg Savatree Rupa Sen Thomas Simpson Smith Murdaugh Little & Bonham, L.L.P. Terry and Thomas Smith Nathalie Phlips and Hugh Spinks Annie Stein Ileana and Michael Treviño Angela Wilcox
IN-KIND Bergner & Johnson Design City of Houston City Kitchen Giant Texas Distillery Houston First Corporation Houston Parks & Recreation Department LD Systems Total Tent Solutions Total Wine & More
MEMBERSHIP
$1,000-2,500 Vivian Ho and Richard Boylan Barbara J. Burger Gayl and Chuck Carlberg Dave Connell Margaret Culbertson Richard P. Dawson Kimberly and Bradley Dennison Jessica Givens and Jamil Driscoll Blanca Avery and Chuck German Justin Goodman Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes Carol and Will Haddock Sis and Hasty Johnson Carey Kirkpatrick Rose Kreditor and Joshua Krugly Stephanie and Richard Langenstein Jennifer and Chris Laporte Cheryl and Jim Lerdal Claire and Andy Madden Deborah Martin
BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP GALA More than 400 guests participated in our annual gala held in Buffalo Bayou Park on November 2nd and co-chaired by Gaynell Floyd Drexler and Leigh Smith, pictured above with BBP President Anne Olson. The evening celebrated our organization’s efforts of Branching Out Along Buffalo Bayou as we continue working east of downtown to deliver vibrant parks, hike and bike trails, pedestrian bridges, and unique waterfront destinations to the Greater East End and Fifth Ward neighborhoods.
Michele and Paul Marvin Jennifer and Ben McClure Karen Milligan Cristina Fernandez and Scott Novich Page Carol and Cliff Pearson Jeff G. Peden Jennifer Smith and Peter Ragauss Carolyn Roch Kelly and David Rose Sue and Robert Sloan Jill and Charlie Talisman Brenda Williams and William Walvoord
$100-500 Anne and Terry Adams Deanna Alexander Beatriz and Elliot Baerman Melanie Starman Bash Jo May and Doug Beagle Angelica and David Beaumont Janet Diaz and Toby Brown Nita Vance and Will Butcher
Ricky Cardenas Sarah Abare and Chris Carlberg Becky Cash Jeannette and Peter Cayea Libby and Mitch Cheney Henrietta and Henry Childers Susan Cochran Paula Holton and Gil Cote Edwin Crawley Lisa and David Dargie Steven Deterling Sara Dierickx Sandra Payne and Dennis Dodgen Sean Dundon Pamela Dwyer Gladys House El Eduardo Elizondo Pam Erwin Shelly Fegter Sarah Newbery and Garrett Finney Stephen Fox Jeffrey Davis and Hector Garma Jan and Bill Glazner Lawrence Goldberg Camilo Gonzalez David Daniel Guetzow John Hart
Mary W. and Rick Hecksel Bridget Hennessey Michael Huebener Maryam Hussain Maylynn and Andy Icken Alan Jacobson Karina Karakus Iain Kennedy Patty Kleinknecht Stephanie Kuo Mary Lynne Kupchella Harriet Leavell Frances Nguyen and Luke Lewis Sarah Maller Barbara Ann Manzari Carolie E. Martin Megan Mastal Vince Davila and Michael Matar Kenneth Mauk Lenee and Jeff McDonald Diana Merced Michael Migaud Crista and Gary Miller Gerry Montalvo Chandler Morris Mindy Travillian and Ivan Musser Rufi Natarajan
Jeff Ortiz Laura Oren and Bruce Palmer Bob Pebbler Kristen and Carlo Pippolo Esther and Gary Polland Darryl Herzik and Armin Porter Celinda Provost Christa and Neal Rackleff Kaye L. Rasch Jessica J. Rattani Thomas Ristevski Margaret Rochs Susan Rudolph Beth B. Schneider Holly Heuer and Peter Schneider Rebecca Estrada and Craig Schofer Neena and Pratik Shah Julie Shockley Thomas Simpson Mary H. Cook and Scott R. Spencer Sharon Staley MaryLou Swift Kelly Holcomb and Zachary Taylor Julie Urech Julie and Michael Wagner Jamie and Stephen Wilkinson Matthew Wilson
MEMBERS AND PATRONS Throughout 2023, BBP Members enjoyed sunset yoga, wellness walks, and happy hours while learning about conservation, avian ecology, and environmental stewardship. In addition to unique perks from our community partners, members were invited to an exclusive breakfast with BBP President Anne Olson.
Bridget and Alec Wolk Kristina Wilson and Bob Wynne Lynn Yakoweshen Angelina Marie Zarate
THE CURRENTS Aziz Alejandro Abadsafian Aashvi and Saffan Ali Farah Anwar Arlinda Arriaga Setareh Baniasadi Madeline Brown Annabella Cristina Bruzual Malcolm Carr Amanda Carrico Jessica Correll Isaiah Drummond Ivonne Escobar Janelle Marie Jagnanan and Daniel Fiorillo Raschely Flint Taylor Smith and Nicholas Gerling Hayley K. Girard Ross Griffey Anna Gryska Auhona Hoq Jack Hundley Cynda Hutto Rachel Iwicki Robert Jacobs Ginu Kuncheria Alex Landon and Maddy Landon Jenny Pickett and Garrett Laughlin Lauren Gabrielle Lawson Kristi Miller and Curtis Lehman Andrew Gerald Lobo Madison Alexis Main MovieManEnt Conner Mowery Elizabeth and Jay Nash Dominique Ngo Thomas Palmer Jackson Parthasarathy Olivia Lee and Isaac Phillips Kori and Darren Randle Rachel Reynolds David Rumford Vivian Perfetti and Michael Schramm David Senter Yetunde Sokunbi Kristiana Tenorio Jarrod Thompson Remi Chris-Rotimi and Maria Thompson Natalie Trojanowski Cassandra Turzillo Erin Werner Andrew White Natasha Perez and Alexis Winder
IN-KIND Saint Arnold Brewing Company Snooze A.M. Eatery
Emily Keeton The Meredith L. Dreiss and Adrienne D. Ropp Fund Vivian L. Smith Foundation
BUFFALO BAYOU PARK
$2,500-5,000
$2,710,000 Downtown Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ #3
$10,000-25,000 AIG Enbridge The Wortham Foundation, Inc.
Lisa Young and Matt Assiff Dillon Kyle and Sam Lasseter in honor of Winifred Riser Judy and Scott Nyquist Winifred and Carleton Riser Jerome Schultz
CLEAN & GREEN
NORTH CANAL
$143,000 Kinder Foundation
BUFFALO BAYOU EAST
$15,000,000 The Brown Foundation, Inc.
$1,500,000-2,750,000 The Elkins Foundation Harris County Flood Control District
$100,000-300,000
$1,000-9,999
$435,000
BILL Crowe LLP EarthShare of Texas Enterprise Holdings Foundation Goldman Sachs Charlotte Horowitz and Josue R. Maymi in memory of Lara Dolnik NDT Global LLC NRG Pickering Energy Partners John E. Walsh, Jr.
Harris County Flood Control District
Anonymous Radoff Family
$20,000-75,000
$5,000-50,000
Cheniere Port Houston TotalEnergies
Nancy I. Abendshein The John M. O'Quinn Foundation Anat and Chad Shaw Union Pacific Foundation
$100-999
$5,000-10,000 Keep Houston Beautiful Redwood Capital Management SM Energy TPC Group
Anonymous in memory of Lara Dolnik Barbara Cooney Episcopal High School Knox Interests LLC in memory of Lara Dolnik KR Moore & Associates Inc. in memory of Lara Dolnik Leadstyle LLC in memory of Lara Dolnik Medalist Fitness LLC in memory of Lara Dolnik Mark Andrew Morris Nathaniel Ng Rice University Sempra LNG Cynthia Weil
$100-1,000
IN-KIND
HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS
Apache Corporation
PUBLIC ART/PROGRAMMING
$25,000-80,000 Houston Arts Alliance The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation Matt Mullenweg Alana R. Spiwak and Sam L. Stolbun
$10,000-20,000 H-E-B Hobby Family Foundation
Alliance to End Plastic Waste Christopher Foyt Sophie and Louis Girard Harris County D.A. Supplemental Environmental Project Enforcement Lisa Lee State Farm and State Farm Companies Foundation Triton Container International
IN-KIND HOW Water Texas Iron & Metal
$100-1,000 Belinda and Christopher Beale Christy and Tom Compson Charlie Buchanan and Jonathan Denning DiFilippo Family Wendy and Trent Foltz Austin Jadloski Doug Bannerman and Derek Lane Dr. Brendan and Maria Lee Lara and Jim Powers Shirley and Greg Rosin
IN-KIND Amandes PLLC Kinder Foundation Trees for Houston
By 2032, Buffalo Bayou Partnership and its partners will realize the Buffalo Bayou East 10-Year Plan, bringing parks, trails, bayou-crossing bridges, affordable housing, cultural destinations, and infrastructure improvements to the Greater East End and Fifth Ward. This visionary plan is made possible by a $100 million catalyst gift from the Kinder Foundation to Buffalo Bayou Partnership, which leveraged significant public support from Harris County and the City of Houston, including Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone funds.
Donors listed include gifts and pledges of $100 or more made during the fiscal year January 1 to December 31, 2023. Commitments are recognized in full at the time of the pledge. Every effort was made to ensure that the information published is accurate and reflects the requests of individual donors. Should you wish to report a concern regarding information listed, please email giving@buffalobayou.org.
Statement of Financial Position
as of December 31, 2023
ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents
2023 $
55,369,746
Prepaid expenses and other receivables
580,230
Contributions receivable
2,506,839
Endowment investments
12,573,908
Property, net
32,157,062
Note receivable
9,700,000
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 112,887,785
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued expenses Deferred revenue Deferred land lease Note payable Deferred payment loan
2023
$
879,063 145,000 1,453,846 2,352,229 9,700,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES
14,530,138
NET ASSETS Without donor restrictions With donor restrictions
35,853,765 62,503,882
TOTAL NET ASSETS
98,357,647
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
$ 112,887,785
Statement of Activities as of December 31, 2023
REVENUE Fees and program revenues: Contract service fees Park rentals and fees Contributions: Nonfinancial assets Other Special events Cost of direct donor benefits Investment income Other income
WITHOUT DONOR RESTRICTIONS
$
WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS
3,902,275 1,179,274
$ 3,902,275 1,179,274
3,000 732,326 747,880 -206,925 1,196,732 301,638
$ 178,072 34,465,994
TOTAL REVENUE
7,856,200
35,945,235
Net assets released from donor restrictions
7,496,400
-7,496,400
$ 15,352,600
$ 28,448,835
TOTAL
TOTAL
1,301,169
181,072 35,198,320 747,880 -206,925 2,497,901 301,638 43,801,435
$ 43,801,435
EXPENSES Buffalo Bayou development, maintenance and park programming Management and general Fundraising
11,549,876 735,528 406,914
11,549,876 735,528 406,914
TOTAL EXPENSES
12,692,318
12,692,318
-746,840
-746,840
OTHER CHANGES Donation of land to City of Houston
CHANGES IN NET ASSETS Changes in net assets Net assets, beginning of year
1,913,442 33,940,323
28,448,835 34,055,047
30,362,277 67,995,370
NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR
$ 35,853,765
$ 62,503,882
$ 98,357,647
2023 Board of Directors Gaynell Floyd Drexler President David Ott, Jr. Vice Chair Kellie R. Jenks Treasurer Bolivar M. Fraga Secretary
Ralph Abendshein Andrea Alexander Matthew J. Assiff Veronica Avila Chris Bilton Harvey Clemons, Jr. Shawn W. Cloonan Jerry Davis Richard P. Dawson Olivia Djibo Clayton Erikson Zion Escobar Louis M. Girard Lisa Helfman Janet Hobby Emily Keeton Marie Louise Kinder Alisha N. Nathoo Judy Nyquist Erin Patterson Monica Hoz de Vila Radoff Frem Reggie, Jr. Winifred Riser Shannon B. Sasser Erin Mincberg Spiegel Christof Spieler Anne Whitlock Geraldina Interiano Wise Gloria Medina Zenteno Andrew P. Ziccardi
CHAIRS EMERITUS
EX-OFFICIO
Toni Beauchamp* Chuck Carlberg Brady F. Carruth Collin J. Cox Thomas Fish Mike Garver Dennis Greer Artie Lee Hinds* Sis Johnson Susan Keeton Dr. Manuel Pacheco Bob Phillips F. Max Schuette* Raymond Snokhous* Jeff Taylor Georgia Wilson
Mayor Sylvester Turner City of Houston
*Deceased
Judge Lina Hidalgo Harris County Kenneth Allen Houston Parks and Recreation Department Loren J. Blanchard, Ph.D. University of Houston Downtown Commissioner Lesley Briones Harris County Precinct Four Allen Douglas Downtown Redevelopment Authority Commissioner Rodney Ellis Harris County Precinct One Erik Eriksson Port Houston Commissioner Adrian Garcia Harris County Precinct Two Roksan Okan-Vick, FAIA Houston First Jennifer Ostlind City of Houston Planning and Development Department Tina Petersen, Ph.D, P.E. Harris County Flood Control District Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E. Harris County Precinct Three
Staff ADMINISTRATION
CLEAN & GREEN
CONSERVATION
Anne Olson President
Robby Robinson Field Operations Manager
Dr. Gabriela Sosa Conservation Manager
Lesley Eiermann Landscape Project Manager
Donald Applon Field Operations Technician
Karen Farber Vice President of External Affairs
Brett Farley Field Operations Mechanic
Iris Chavez Chase Gravatt Jessica Henson Conservation Technicians
Genesis Gallardo Community Engagement Manager Baldemar Gonzalez Senior Project Manager Gjabrielle Guterrez Development and Membership Manager Lydia Hall Accounting Assistant Rebecca Leija Database and Office Coordinator Michele Nezi Marvin Vice President of Finance and Administration Leigh McBurnett Vice President of Development Jessica McFall Marketing Manager Laura Mills Marketing and Communications Coordinator Ian Rosenberg Senior Vice President of Capital Projects and Planning Trudi Smith Director of Programming Nat Wanissorn-Schyma Capital Projects Associate
Ned McQuarn Field Operations Technician David Rivers Field Operations Foreman Roberto Ruiz Field Operations Technician
BUFFALO BAYOU PARK Joe Rodriguez Park Director Jose Armas Weekend Operations Supervisor Toni Estrada Office Manager
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE Daniel Campa Charles Chatman Matthew Guerrero Isaias Guerrero-Ramirez Juan Hernandez Juan Jimenez de Leon Silvestre Lopez Martin Manzo David Mayberry Patricia Medrano Mustaq Mohammed Frank Moreno Alberto Sanchez Lester Thomas
VENUE AND VISITOR SERVICES Alison Duran Venue and Visitor Services Supervisor Luis Flores Alejandre Misael Calderon Adriana Marquez Morales Joaquin Reyes Cistern Attendants Rosemarie Croll Cistern Coordinator Austin Warren Visitor Services Coordinator Irmi Willcockson Visitor Services Coordinator
PROJECT MANAGER José Solís
as of December 31, 2023
Donna Irwin Horticulturalist Steve Parker Volunteer Coordinator Jeff Parkinson Zone Supervisor Alvaro Rangel Zone Supervisor Florensio Tijerina Zone Supervisor
IMAGE CREDITS Melissa Taylor Lawrence Elizabeth Knox Anthony Rathbun Humphreys & Partners Architects NADAAA Asakura Robinson Simon Roberts
MISSION
Buffalo Bayou Partnership creates and stewards welcoming parks, trails, and unique spaces, connecting Houstonians with our city’s most significant natural waterway. VISION
We envision Buffalo Bayou as a unifying and transformative force for Houston.
1019 Commerce Street Suite 200 Houston, Texas 77002
713.752.0314 buffalobayou.org @buffalobayou