Emancipation Park

Park · Greater Third Ward ·

Emancipation Park

Park · Greater Third Ward ·

Historic park & community center with pool, gym, courts

Information

3018 Emancipation Ave, Houston, TX 77004 Get directions

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Will Distribute Groceries, Bottled Water to Houstonians in Need | Eater Houston

"Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's office and the NACC Disaster Service (a coalition of Christian churches) will begin handing out bottled water and groceries at 1 p.m. Thursday at 3018 Emancipation to provide relief to Houston residents hit by the severe winter storm—many of whom have been without water or power for more than 24 hours and are under a boil-water notice. The distribution is part of broader emergency efforts, with additional stops and timing expected to be announced via Twitter." - Brittanie Shey

https://houston.eater.com/2021/2/18/22289571/houston-winter-storm-bottled-water-groceries-distribution-rep-sheila-jackson-lee

Emancipation Park

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Downtown Houston Businesses Sustain Minimal Damage During Police Brutality Protests | Eater Houston

"A historic gathering spot in the Third Ward founded in 1872 when freed slaves pooled money to buy the property; for many years it was the only municipal park available to Black residents and it remains an important community hub. The park served as the starting point for marches through Downtown during protests against police brutality, a start location made more significant by the nearby thoroughfare's renaming in 2017 away from a Confederate namesake." - Brittanie Shey

https://houston.eater.com/2020/6/1/21277094/downtown-houston-protests-george-floyd-killing-restaurants-minimal-damage

Emancipation Park

@postcardnews

22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities

Founded in 1872 by formerly enslaved Houstonians, this Third Ward landmark hosts year-round community events and Juneteenth celebrations. Recent renovations and ongoing programming are documented by the Emancipation Park Conservancy and local journalism.

https://epconservancy.org/calendar/

Best Parks in Houston (2025)

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Emancipation Park

Lupe G.

Google

Be cautious & careful when parking because i fell today and nearly broke my ankle. I broke my phone ,knocked the wind outta myself falling and hurt my knee. If I was elderly I would be dead right now. No one helped me up I don't know if there is cameras near this sidewalk I would like footage of my fall. I went to workout for my first time it makes you apply online to go and I didnt know the hours so I went a little early. They don't open until 9 a.m which is rather late . There is no signs saying watch your step and not aware of the torn up sidewalk and curb gap which makes it very very unsafe for anyone. Rebar visable and broken concrete. It was about 10 homeless people sleeping in various parts of the park. I didn't feel very safe at certain parts of the park where the fence is covered and not visable to the street. This park needs some type of security cameras or security guard. Be very careful if you park on the street it could cause you to fall into traffic if you trip like I did. The traffic went around me and no one even stopped to ask was I alright . That should tell you what type of area you are in.

Joshua

Google

Walking into Emancipation Park feels like a victory lap for my soul. The vibe is so historic and pristine that even my posture improved the moment I stepped onto the grass. It’s the perfect blend of “community hug” & “architectural masterpiece.” Whether I’m shooting hoops or just basking in the Houston sun, I feel 20% more legendary just being here. It’s not just a park; it’s a whole mood. If I could move my bed to the splash pad, I absolutely would. ~JLRandall♉~

Ramiro Jr. G.

Google

it is awesome place to spend time with loves ones or alone with My puppy

Ajit V.

Google

Great community path! Nice tile mosaics dot the park with descriptions of historical figures. Also includes baseball field, tennis courts, basketball court, aquatic center, and rec center. Well laid out and clean.

Ann S

Google

Never been to a city recreation center. Glad I came to this one. The architectural design on the outside is very nice and modern. The weight room is decent. Has 3 treadmills, 3 ellipticals, leg press, and a number of varying strength training equipments. Not huge or a large variety of equipment like YMCA or other gyms but it's good enough to do some strength training and cardio. You do need to check-in with a badge every time you come in. Unfortunately, there are no showers or lockers. On Saturdays, they open from 10-2 and not 9-8.

Erika M

Google

The park is small and nice. You are able to keep a close eyes on your kiddos. I am not giving it 5 stars because of the trash. There were homeless couples in the park hanging out but they kept to themselves.

Angela H.

Google

Great park, has a lot to offer the community. Pool, basketball court and tennis court, baseball field and play land for kids. Good location.

Carlton Young (.

Google

This park is SO Peaceful. I spent around 90 minutes here on a cloudy Sunday afternoon in Houston. Weather was good, and people were out enjoying the day. Lots of space for families, picnics and sporting events. Historically significant, but didn't catch many of the historical buildings as they were locked. Beautiful shots of the skyline to be had here my fellow photographers! Check it out when down in H-Town!

Caim S.

Yelp

I love Third Ward, especially its history rooted in Emancipation Park. The recent Juneteenth Festival held there was overflowing with Black joy, much like many of the other events I've attended there on there (Jazzy Sundays, Zydeco Festival, etc.). The nearby street parking makes it easy to access and the plentiful grassy areas, shaded huts, and even splash zone and well-maintained playground makes it an ideal family-friendly community gathering space. There was a full-on food cookoff and I got to meet some incredible chefs serving navy beans and rice, crawfish cornbread (a first for me!), and hands down the most tender barbecue I've tasted in all of Houston courtesy of Chef G. What I loved most was that even with the crowd and all the community and vendor booths, it never felt packed.Each community booth spotlighted a different historically Black neighborhood in Houston, and the live performances on stage kept the vibe going. To learn the deep history of Emancipation Park, there's a clean, beautiful mosaic pillar with biographical info on Richard Allen, serving as a reminder that this isn't just a park, but moreso a monument to freedom, resilience, and celebration.

Josh M.

Yelp

Emancipation park is a local gem for 3rd ward. It's our local park. So we regularly walk the park, use the playground and have gone swimming a few times during the summer. Poll hours can be hard to nail down, but it's fun when you can take a dip. Recently, hosted Jazzy Sundays in the park, which was a lot of fun. The community really came out for those Sunday evening concerts!

Angela R.

Yelp

Emancipation park is 3rd wards city supported park... The park brings a great green space for 3rd ward... The layout and architecture of the park is beautiful... lots of amenities for the community to use... The park does host various events as well for the community and surrounding area to enjoy... This park is such a gem for the area....

Mahwish S.

Yelp

I'm thankful for the Rec Center. It has a small gym with basic equipment. It is perfect for getting started. My FAVORITE step class is on Mondays and Wednesdays taught by Sade. She's an amazing teacher and you will break a good sweat and feel like you have WORKED out! All the staff I have interacted with are very nice!

David M.

Yelp

This is a great park to take the family and your dog to walk around while in Houston. The facilities are a little dated and there isn't a bathroom available. There are baseball fields, tennis courts, and a playground for kids. Check this park out if you are in the neighborhood.

Ann S.

Yelp

This review is strictly about the indoor gym. Glad I came to this one. The architectural design on the outside is very nice and modern. The weight room is decent. Has 3 treadmills, 3 ellipticals, leg press, and a number of varying strength training equipments. Not huge or a large variety of equipment like YMCA or other gyms but it's good enough to do some strength training and cardio. You do need to check-in with a badge every time you come in. It's never busy the times I've been there but I've seen roughly from 1 to 6 people there at a time. Unfortunately, there are no showers or lockers. But at least this is free and the hours are reasonable minus the 2-3 pm "cleaning time".

Vlad V.

Yelp

When the pandemic started and I wasn't able to travel, my sense of adventure suffered. I found an outlet by exploring parks and sculptures in Houston. Mini adventures as I call them. I took the day off on a Thursday and stopped by Emancipation Park after lunch in the area. Emancipation Park is located in Third Ward and is a really nice park. There's a playground, basketball courts, tennis courts, an indoor gym, and plenty of greenery. Beyond park stuff, I also appreciated the focus on history. There are several signs that talk about the history of the park. There are sculptures in all four corners of the park of influential Blacks in the neighborhood. There are some cool sculptures in the center of the park. You can see it all in 30 minutes or so.

Danielle H.

Yelp

I love bringing the kids here to the park. It's never too crowded. It's a futuristic type newer playground. The splash pad is a huge plus on the many hot days. We've also gone to some outdoor events here that we're open and spacious. Looking forward to trying the indoor facilities. Such a nice addition to the neighborhood.

Ardara H.

Yelp

Great historical park, lovely amenities and nice lawn. Today Creole Celebration great music, Whorting band, pop-ups and a lot of food vendors. The weather was grand and the police friendly.

Sunny B.

Yelp

Emancipation Park is a nice inner city park located in the third ward. There's a lot of open fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a free recreation center. We spent about 30 minutes walking through the park (~10 acres in size). The park is unique for its history - In 1872, African-American populations in Houston pooled $1,000 to put down on ten acres of land to host annual Juneteenth celebrations, and named it Emancipation Park in honor of their freedom. In the twentieth century, Emancipation Park was actually the only municipal park African-Americans could use during this period of racial segregation. Into the twenty-first century, many renovations have occurred, most recently in 2017.

Kalyn M.

Yelp

Nice Tennis Court, Baseball Field and Basketball Court. They are open throughout the day (Refer to Park Hours) Have other amenities like Pool and Gym open to the public which is nice. Very nice and chill park and not at all crowded during the day so I will go more often.

John S.

Yelp

Beautiful park, safe and welcoming to kids of all ages. Any random weekend may have an event or concert here. I love this park.

Jennifer A.

Yelp

Nice park. Enjoyed watching Frankie Beverly & Maze during this year's Juneteenth celebration. Stepped out after the sun went down of course to avoid the blazing hot heat. The view of the fireworks was also nice.

Delilah F.

Yelp

We took our students here before touring a college close by, and we are so happy we did. This is a must-see place. The history and how this park came to be should be taught to all. I truly enjoy this park and know that my students were just as happy to visit and take in the history of this park as much as I was.

Stuart U.

Yelp

Look into the history of this little gem of a landmark and you will be amazed at the vision that these founding gentleman had for this gift for us to enjoy.

Nicole W.

Yelp

This is such a beautiful park filled with a ton of history. It's gorgeous and has so much to offer. The lawn space is huge so you could have a picnic, workout, etc. They've also got a couple great sitting spaces that are shaded. I walked around and listened to a guided audio tour on the GeoTourist app. I highly recommend doing the tour so you can learn the background of the place.

Farran M.

Yelp

Emancipation Park is one of the coolest inner-city parks in Houston. This newly renovated green space sits on the edge of Third Ward with a sweet view of the skyline. I'm buying a home in the area, so I stopped by to inquire about the recreation center. To my surprise, the entire facility is free of charge with a valid DL. The recreation center has a weight room and indoor basketball court. Also on the property: Indoor/outdoor pool, outdoor basketball court, tennis courts, baseball field, water park and a playground. The city of Houston did a great job with Emancipation Park, I'll definitely be a regular in the area.

Virginia M.

Yelp

The evening for the neighborhood night out was beautiful in Houston. Music, lots of families wanting to know how to eat better. At the Peaceful Planet Foundation table we had over 20 people taking Vegan StarterKits pamphlets plus an apple, orange, or banana. Should do this more that once a year.

Candice T.

Yelp

Gorgeous views. Clean. The park has a lot of different areas and that makes it interesting. Love it!

Arie M.

Yelp

This isn't my neighborhood but I checked out the park's grand opening and it's pretty good. They have a swimming pool outside, small basketball court outside, indoor weight room, and indoor basketball court. There are also meeting areas and such indoors though I'm not sure how you can use them. If you live in the area, you should take pride in the park and enjoy it.

Michelle C.

Yelp

One of the worst experiences I have ever had trying to rent a venue. I booked online and sent all required paper work and payments in. I was advised my event was double booked with someone else's and my event was canceled upon calling to confirm the rental. I had spoken with an employee at least 4 times prior to completing the rental online to advise I would be booking the date. Employee was unapologetic and did not offer any alternative options. Exercise extreme when booking and make sure you speak with someone after booking online!

Monique R.

Yelp

I absolutely love this park and its history. I used to frequent the community center gym and for a free gym you can get a good workout in. I especially enjoyed the women's night on Mondays. The park itself is beautiful and offers many amenities. It's kid friendly with an updated park that my niece and nephew must visit whenever they're with me.

Yolanda P.

Yelp

So, I attended the Robert Glasper Jazzy Sunday event and the resteoom situation was completely degrading. While attending the Juneteenth festivities, I thought how nice the restroom facilities at this park were. But here we are with 5 porta potties and the building with the nice restrooms has a sign that says VIP. RIDICULOUS!

Obeii A.

Yelp

The park looks beautiful than it did before and better workout setting. It has a basketball court, free gym, a swimming pool, and a huge field. My friends and i tried to play soccer but we were confronted by a horrible security guard. He was shouting over and over to make it clear that this park costed millions and its too valuable to play in it. Whats the point os spending millions on a park that we cant play? All i know is that i miss the old emancipation park

Erika V.

Yelp

I recently moved to 3rd ward and found myself with the new rescue pup and a three storey townhouse with no yard lol. My new rescue Mastiff and I spend a lot of time in Emancipation Park these days. It's a great park with lots of history... It has a nice variety of features from a playground to a baseball diamond, to tennis courts, to a track and a pool.

Christina N.

Yelp

Hannah dead empty and depressing. There's a nice history but other than that. It's boring as hell. Honestly regret driving there.

Mi A.

Yelp

Simply Amazon... I use to play tennis in the park back in the day... I am really impressed with the renovation... Pool, gym area, softball field, basketball court, outside stage area, splash pad, covered outside table area, community center, and the beautiful landscape... I look forward to many happy times for the community use of Emancipation park...

Dominique C.

Yelp

This is the best place to take your family on a nice sunny day. It's super clean, and they also have free gym membership.

Gillian B.

Yelp

Love all the activities they have here. Baseball field, playground for the kids or adults, basketball courts, tennis courts, picnic areas with bbq pits. Large open field to play games. Glad this community Center is here and the community using the park.

Kendra D.

Yelp

Over the past 2 years I've fell more and more in love with this park. I'm so glad 3rd Ward has this gem. I visit here weekly and love all this it offers FOR FREE! I've been to numerous events, rallies, classes, etc and I'm never disappointed. I love it. I really should cancel my private gym membership lol I encourage everyone to give participate in something. My husband loves the Wednesday night men's basketball and my favorite is Hip hop step aerobics with Coach Gee. The pool is also super nice. 5 stars for this much needed historic, renovated community center that caters towards the overall health of the black community

Breanna S.

Yelp

This park is a great park to go workout or to just relax. It's a great place in Third Ward! This park is always clean and safe! There's a lot of space to workout and there's a tennis court and play area for the kids. After running or partaking in any activity at this park, there are so many restaurants and other businesses you can visit in the nearby area.

Lady J.

Yelp

I will NEVER!!!! support the Crawfish Festival event ever again!!.. paid $19( 5 plus service fee) for three people..only to stand in a damn line for crawfish for a hour and 1/2 to not get none because they sold out!!!.. while the music was nice and the park was nice... The organization of this event was AWFUL!!! Not enough vendors... and to have one line was ridiculous with 1 person taking orders..just HORRIBLE!!..never again will I go.. I rather Kemah crawfish festival or the one in Spring TX.. #TimeWasted...#MoneyWasted

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Will Distribute Groceries, Bottled Water to Houstonians in Need | Eater Houston

https://houston.eater.com/2021/2/18/22289571/houston-winter-storm-bottled-water-groceries-distribution-rep-sheila-jackson-lee

Emancipation Park

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Downtown Houston Businesses Sustain Minimal Damage During Police Brutality Protests | Eater Houston

https://houston.eater.com/2020/6/1/21277094/downtown-houston-protests-george-floyd-killing-restaurants-minimal-damage

Emancipation Park

@postcardnews

22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities

https://epconservancy.org/calendar/

Best Parks in Houston (2025)

View this post on Instagram

Emancipation Park

Lupe G.

Google

Joshua

Google

Ramiro Jr. G.

Google

it is awesome place to spend time with loves ones or alone with My puppy

Ajit V.

Google

Ann S

Google

Erika M

Google

Angela H.

Google

Great park, has a lot to offer the community. Pool, basketball court and tennis court, baseball field and play land for kids. Good location.

Carlton Young (.

Google

Caim S.

Yelp

Josh M.

Yelp

Angela R.

Yelp

Mahwish S.

Yelp

David M.

Yelp

Ann S.

Yelp

Vlad V.

Yelp

Danielle H.

Yelp

Ardara H.

Yelp

Great historical park, lovely amenities and nice lawn. Today Creole Celebration great music, Whorting band, pop-ups and a lot of food vendors. The weather was grand and the police friendly.

Sunny B.

Yelp

Kalyn M.

Yelp

John S.

Yelp

Beautiful park, safe and welcoming to kids of all ages. Any random weekend may have an event or concert here. I love this park.

Jennifer A.

Yelp

Delilah F.

Yelp

Stuart U.

Yelp

Look into the history of this little gem of a landmark and you will be amazed at the vision that these founding gentleman had for this gift for us to enjoy.

Nicole W.

Yelp

Farran M.

Yelp

Virginia M.

Yelp

Candice T.

Yelp

Gorgeous views. Clean. The park has a lot of different areas and that makes it interesting. Love it!

Arie M.

Yelp

Michelle C.

Yelp

Monique R.

Yelp

Yolanda P.

Yelp

Obeii A.

Yelp

Erika V.

Yelp

Christina N.

Yelp

Hannah dead empty and depressing. There's a nice history but other than that. It's boring as hell. Honestly regret driving there.

Mi A.

Yelp

Dominique C.

Yelp

This is the best place to take your family on a nice sunny day. It's super clean, and they also have free gym membership.

Gillian B.

Yelp

Kendra D.

Yelp

Breanna S.

Yelp

Lady J.

Yelp

Emancipation Park

Information

Postcards

Media

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Will Distribute Groceries, Bottled Water to Houstonians in Need | Eater Houston

Downtown Houston Businesses Sustain Minimal Damage During Police Brutality Protests | Eater Houston

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Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Will Distribute Groceries, Bottled Water to Houstonians in Need | Eater Houston

Downtown Houston Businesses Sustain Minimal Damage During Police Brutality Protests | Eater Houston