The Clay Family Eastern Glades is, quite simply, a perfect addition to Houston's Memorial Park. It strikes as effortlessly chic yet serene. There's an unmistakable elegance to the entire space, from sweeping lawns to winding paths. It is a sophistication that feels both modern and timeless. It invites leisurely strolls, impromptu picnics, and lingering conversations that stretch into golden hour. The Eastern Glades doesn't just complement Memorial Park. They offer an escape designed for appreciation. read more

This is a really picturesque place that captures the biodiversity and landscapes of the piney woods / big thicket type of ecosystem. Hines lake is a beautiful landscaped lake which features a lot of cool wildlife, awesome boardwalks, and pavilions for gathering. There are gorgeous water lilies and reeds and small trees! Only a few steps away from the lake, you can enter a wetland boardwalk, this closely mimics piney woods type of landscape with lots of loblolly pines, etc. informative posters surrounding the boardwalk help tell the story of the snags, and throws, that you can observe nearby. This quick detour loops right back towards the parking lot. You can really get lost here! I love how they preserved the nature of Houston in this park and made it enjoyable to walk through. read more

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I definitely went when it was way too hot so I will be looking forward to visiting in the cooler weather. I am a big fan of turtles so this was heaven. I was so entertained by them all swimming around (do not feed them anything!!!). There's lots of trails you can go off on and see different sides of the water and find hidden beauties. They also had an area that has food trucks usually, we were lucky enough to be there for El Deleite and get mangonadas. Overall such a relaxing experience and a great get away from the city. Beware of the parking though it's a real fight to get a spot!!! read more

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Lovely spot. There is a nice trail for runners and walkers (looks like a lot of folks come here to exercise/train) but my favorite area was the pond. I came here out of shape and with my baby so it was really nice to just stroll around the water and admire the lovely lily pads and the cool wildlife. We saw so many giant bullfrogs and heard their loud mating calls! We were also able to view pied-bill grebes (North American birds) who do this cool thing where they dive underwater and then stick their heads out like periscopes to assess their surroundings. We also saw a big bunny. My baby is still too young to spot small animals but Mommy and Daddy had a great time wildlife-watching, haha. PARKING: There is a large lot however this place is really popular. If you come at a busy time, an easy spot isn't guaranteed. Many people come early to beat the heat. We came at 7am on a Saturday and it was already filling up. I'm sure it's less busy at peak heat. FYI: It's not free but it's only $1.20 for 3 hours. Make sure you have ParkMobile downloaded so it's easier to pay (there are kiosks as well). Bathrooms available by the parking area. read more

Clay Family Eastern Glades - Frogger - Hiking Near Me - Houston, Texas

The newest addition to Memorial Park is a sight worth seeing. A derivative parkly design of the arboretum on the other end of the park with the raised polished/smooth boardwalk allowing you to spare your shoes from all of the mud and whatnot on the marshy ground level where only the critters scamper, this is flowers times 11ty billion (or in the parlance of Dubya, a Brazilian.) The water features are a very nice touch for your to walk around and sit around on the amphitheatre like ringed space, absent golf balls whizzing by your head as you would ordinarily find trying to take in the water features at most golf courses. I am not sure where else but here you would find water features without a five iron and a group of serial adulterers nearby. It ain't all pretty flowers to sniff and water features to admire as if you were a sensible anthropomorphic dog that occasionally pays taxes and the City for parking at the various parking meters scattered about town. The one parking lot that is actually attached to the Glade (how did it become plural?) is tiny, filled with huge monster sized murrican trucks that are so large they cannot park within the lines and thus take up two spaces minimum, and has so little turnover that you are more likely to win the lottery of powerballs (what sounds more like a medical condition one might come down with after spending a night with a Queens street rat like Peter Parker) than find a spot in the lot. So you will need to find parking 10-20 minutes walk away before you even get to the Glade. And the worst part about the Glade is the other people. There is a designated running trail outside the parking lot. It is marked in several places. Then there is the raised boardwalk which is for walking as families, dogs, nice critters that will come upon the raised boardwalk but not seek to sting or bite you, and small children navigate carefully - which several asshole "runners" take to mean that they should leave the mf'n running trail and then start running on the raised boardwalk (walking area) and bump into people or do the stupid runner thing where they shout out "LEFT" and do not indicate whether it is your left or their left, and also that you are dyslexic and they might as well say something in Chinese because left and right have little meaning unless accompanied with a firm pointing finger and/or neon lit arrow sign going off in yonder direction. If you are pressed for time as a tourist or someone who just does not have that much time to invest in local nature in this economy currently in shambles, the arboretum at the other end of the park is a better choice. But if you have been there and done that at the arboretum, do not miss the Glades the next time you need to get out of doors for a bit - but it will be longer than a bit as you struggle to find close parking and walk for a good bit before you have even seen your first flower or asshole runner. Extra special shout out to the adult male crossfitter who popped off his shirt and did loud pull ups on the child's playground near the baseball field parking lot - very appropriate for a child's playground filled with children under the age of 5, crossfit bro. read more

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Did you know that you can get Glade Air Freshener in Russia too? It's true. The Western Glades are expensive, but there are a lot of reduced price, just-as-effective "Eastern Glades." The Eastern Glades are pretty awesome as they are over a hundred acres of wilderness that have been converted into a new massive section of Memorial Park. So they've just made one of the biggest city parks in the country even bigger. Houston should be very proud of Memorial Park and so many things about it, and this area of the park just makes it all the more exciting and extensive and environmentally friendly as well. And there are lots of very attractive people jogging through here or sometimes doing Yoga or Sunbathing so that's always fun. And as you can see Starlight seems to really like it. read more

Clay Family Eastern Glades - I know you've taken your cat to memorial park, but ever glades? - Hiking Near Me - Houston, Texas

Another freeish park in the houston area! It's a part of memorial park but has nicer trails, picnic area, some food trucks. There's a large pond and some trails around it. Parking can be a struggle. There is a small lot in front of the park that is $2 or $1 for a few hours. If you can't find parking there you can drive a little past the park and there are a bunch of the parking lots near. I would just bring bug spray and a hat if you are going to go in the heat. A lot of people also jog in that area. Nice park! Recommend to stop by if you are in memorial park area. read more

If you're a fan of parks, wetlands, and nature, a visit to the newest addition to Memorial Park - Clay Family Eastern Glades - is a must. It's 100 acres of previously inaccessible land, which now has a lake, boardwalks for exploring the wetlands, hiking trails, picnic areas and lovely views. If you're into yoga, I bet you'll find the perfect spot to get your om on. Important to note, there isn't any biking allowed on these parts of the trails, and I didn't notice any runners either. My friends and I entered through the "Blossom Plaza" along Crestwood where you can find some free street parking, and paid parking at $1 per three hours. We biked there and found some bike racks right at the entrance. Overall, if you need a quick escape from the city, and have thoroughly explored all the Memorial Park has to offer, give this new addition a try and you might just find your newest spot to sit, relax, and enjoy nature. read more

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Now that we are approaching autumn soon, I have a feeling I will be frequenting the Eastern Glades a bit more than I have during the hot summer heat. I'm excited to go for a walk or a light jog, and just take nature in again. It is beautiful and I remember the very first time I visited, I almost got lost in the beauty...and direction. It is huge! Find me having a picnic, doing yoga, bird watching, taking selfies with the flowers and trees (I have witnessed many professional photoshoots here), whatever it is, I just can't wait to return during the cooler temps! FYI: there are Wellness Walks every Friday morning now until November! read more

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This is a very tranquil place to either relax or exercise. I was very surprised to see so many people active in this area since it's not common in the area that I live in. This place has very lush greens that are literally and figuratively a breath of fresh air for those who live in the city. It is within a short distance away from the Galleria and Highland Village, a hub for people who want to experience fine dining or shopping. I like that there were many seating options, especially the area with all the sponsors' names etched into the stone facing the lake. read more

Clay Family Eastern Glades - Hiking Near Me - Houston, Texas

NOT A PUBLIC PARK! You have to pay 1,200 a year or 250 a day to even take photos of your pets here!!l an absolute scam! The staff especially HANNAH HICKOX are so rude and incompetent. Although beautiful you can't even capture any of it without being verbally harassed if you have a camera. Insanely sad since there are no signs posted anywhere in the park you would assume it's a public space but it's not. If you want to have a picnic with your family you may also get yelled at as my friend did for not having a permit - FOR A PICNIC read more

Clay Family Eastern Glades - Staff member - Hiking Near Me - Houston, Texas

Fantastic addition to Memorial Park. Great to walk around and enjoy the outdoor scenery. Also a really nice photoshoot spot

Gorgeous place to come and take a walk. I think eventually the thought process is this park will be a fun place with food trucks and gatherings, but given that it's not possible in the COVID-era, it's still a wonderful backdrop in Houston. Parking is $1 for 3 hours so you'll definitely get enough time. There's a bridge over a gorgeous body of water, and the park is very clean and well-maintained. Really recommend this park to come walk with your friends or family, or a date! Dog-friendly! read more

Clay Family Eastern Glades - Hiking Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Great sanctuary in the middle of the city! Parking is $1.50 for 3h, and there is plenty of it. The loop is about a 15-20min walk and it's very scenic, with lots of small trails on its periphery. Tables are able to reserve, or you can bring your own picnic blanket. read more

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This is the gem park of Houston. It has a beautiful blend of manicured and natural landscape. There are perfect picnic spots - some covered with a fireplace area. And the grass has plenty of little coves for you to find a private spot to lay out on a blanket. The pond is gorgeous in the morning with the mist and this is truly a place to come and relax in the middle of the city. read more

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very impressive trails but the lake and boardwalks are the highlight of 'eastern glades' across from the arboretum and next to the golf course. picnic benches aren't abundant but there are unlimited places to sit ranging from ridiculously lush grass all around lake (is this bluegrass or rye or fake, not sure, but it's narly and soft as memory foam cool on bare, it's therapeutic almost, sorry, i'm a sucker for good grass), raised platforms, concrete and decorative slabs. the tall pines lining the area create an unmistakably peaceful sound when the wind blows. it's a high, high traffic area particularly when the sun is low when it's hot and after work so be expecting insane crowds, fyi. read more

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This is such a beautiful area to stroll in at Memorial Park. Parking can be a challenge. The grounds are absolutely immaculate and gorgeous and there are many areas for great photo ops. I like how there are pavilions scattered throughout; pack a picnic blanket to spread out & enjoy the view! read more

I recently came here to visit this gem. I would consider myself an avid nature lover and this just warms my heart. I remember when Memorial Park was in the first phases of development of this part of the Eastern Glades because I worked in the area. It's amazing to see such beauty atmosphere and nature that everyone deserves to enjoy! I would recommend all visit if you're able to! They have many different trails, photo pops, mini bridges, picnic areas that are shaded, pavilions, etc. read more

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Loved this new park.., perfect venue for any outdoor celebration. Nicely planned and well maintained