Overseen by architect Phil Freelon, redesign highlights park?s historic nature The highly anticipated renovation of Emancipation Park, an historic public space in Houston?s Third Ward, will be re-dedicated this Saturday after a $33.5 million renovation. Overseen by lead designer Phil Freelon of Perkins + Will, who was the lead architect for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the renovation brings a refined look to this 10-acre recreation center while referencing the traditionally African-American neighborhood?s rich history.

The recreation center

The park has played an important role in Houston?s history since its founding. The site of the state?s first Juneteenth celebration, a holiday celebrating the announcement of the abolition of slavery, the park was established in 1872 by a group of formerly enslaved African Americans who pooled together $800 to purchase 10 acres of land, and was the first public park in Texas. The original park buildings were designed by Houston architect William Ward Watkin, who helped devise the masterplan for Rice University, and built by the New Deal-era Works Progress Administration. The park has been a community hub for generations, especially during the Jim Crow era, and until the ?50s, contained the only swimming pool in the city open to African-Americans.

Recreation center

Entry screen around pool

Freelon?s redesign features a number of new faci...