The mission of Memorial Park Conservancy is to preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.

The Conservancy

Memorial Park’s size (1,500 acres, nearly twice the size of Central Park) and central location – in the heart of Houston – make it distinctive nationally. Further distinguishing Memorial Park is its cultural history as a former WWI training camp – Camp Logan – where 70,000 soldiers trained for battle. It is the only such camp remaining in the United States that has not been developed and is an archeologically protected site because of its role in WWI and the archeological features that remain. Memorial Park is where the sport of jogging was popularized nationally by Seymour Lieberman, the namesake for the Park’s locally-popular and nationally-acclaimed jogging trail.

Memorial Park Conservancy is a private, nonprofit organization that operates and maintains 1,100 of the Park’s 1,500 acres. The Conservancy’s mission is to restore, preserve and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.

Founded in 2000, Memorial Park Conservancy aspires to implement principles of exceptional park management and stewardship in a successful public-private partnership with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD). In 2015, Memorial Park Conservancy took over the day-to-day operations and maintenance of 1,100 of the 1,500 acres of Memorial Park.

In the last ten years, Memorial Park Conservancy raised over $135M in private funds and help secure another $50M in public funding. This enabled us to delivered five major projects as part of our master plan: Eastern Glades, Land Bridge and Prairie, Sports Complex, SLT, and Running Complex and Café.

Memorial Park Conservancy advances our mission through the following areas of focus:

Conservation

Including restoration of native ecosystems, stormwater management, improving soils through the BioCycle Program, managing the Native Grow-Out Program, reforestation and tree care, watering and irrigation, invasive species control, wildlife conservation and fire protection zones.
Amenity Design, Construction and Maintenance

Including new and existing trails, new buildings and construction, and existing facility maintenance.
Community Involvement and Education

Including volunteer conservation and forestry work, community events, newsletters and social media, and advocating for Park needs.
Leading an Informed Master Plan

In collaboration with Houston Parks and Recreation Department and Uptown Development Authority, built on the guiding principles of restoring the Park’s ecological systems and creating greater resiliency; reconnecting the Park’s land, waterways, trails, and people; consolidating compatible uses together in appropriate areas; tending to the land and the Park’s cultural history, maintaining balance through responsible management; and enhancing the overall Park experience and amenities.

Memorial Park Conservancy relies on public and private funds to operate Memorial Park and deliver Master Plan projects.

According to financial data from the past three years, approximately 92% of every dollar received by Memorial Park Conservancy (“MPC”) is invested into park enhancements and programming, advancing MPC’s mission to preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.

Memorial Park Conservancy’s Reach

The Memorial Park Conservancy operates and maintains 1,100 of the Park’s 1,500 acres on behalf of the City of Houston and welcomes 2.4M visitors per year from 170 zip codes across the region.

Working alongside our project partners at the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (“HPARD”), Uptown Houston and Kinder Foundation, the MPC delivered the 2018 Memorial Park Ten-Year Plan, accelerating the implementation of $200M worth of Master Plan Projects. Completed projects since 2020 represent over $135M in capital improvements.

Memorial Park Conservancy spends 5% of its funds to raise funds to provide for the capital improvements, operations, maintenance, and programming. This includes engaging individuals, foundations, and organizations in support of MPC’s mission through partnerships and events, philanthropy, membership, legacy giving and other advancement efforts.

Management and General Operations funds provide for strategic management of Memorial Park and the Conservancy. This includes finance functions, information technology, legal operations, staff management and development, along with strategy and research.

Governance

The Conservancy is committed to open and transparent reporting, and is audited annually by an independent accounting firm, Blazek & Vetterling. In business since 1991, Blazek & Vetterling is responsible for the audits and tax requirements of over 700 regional non-profit organizations. Audited financials are then reviewed and approved by the Conservancy’s Finance Committee and Board of Directors, made up of approximately 20 independent board members. The Conservancy’s annual report is posted on their website. the Conservancy’s tax return (IRS Form 990) and audited financials are also publicly available. Memorial Park Conservancy received the top score from Charity Navigator.

Our Staff

Administrative

Administration

Senior Leadership

Chris Ballard

President & CEO

Holli Clements

Vice President of Engagement

Heather Wyatt

Chief of Staff

Arianna Case

Executive Assistant

Richard Meza

Bookkeeper

Rocio Feusier

Controller

Engagement

Communications

Janelle Bludau

Director of Communications & Marketing

Sylvia Morgese

Social Media & Communications Coordinator

Karishma Patel

Major Gift Officer

Monica Clem

Senior Director of Development

Chelsea Kuzniar

Director of Annual Giving

Idahlia Rodriguez

Development Operations Coordinator

Caitlin Fredette

Development Communications Coordinator

Kaitlin Bunsen

Annual Giving Manager

Katy Barber

Assistant Director of Development Operations

Madalyn Raia

Membership Coordinator

Xavier Leon

Reservations Coordinator

Jay Johnson

Community Engagement Specialist

Erika Valdez

Programming Coordinator

Sarah Hernandez

Visitor Services Associate

Jennifer Arredondo

Visitor Services Associate

Park Operations

Park Operations Leadership

Suzanne Formanek

Senior Director of Park Operations

Courtney Hall

Conservation Director

Clayton Emery

Manager of Park Operations

Adrian Scroggins

Conservation Technician

Horticulture

Faythe Stewart

Native Habitat Coordinator

Taylor Westra

Conservation Technician