Sunnyside is getting its first new park in nearly half a century — and it’s a big one.
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and the nonprofit Houston Parks Board (HPB) have completed Hill at Sims Park, a 100-acre regional greenspace in south Houston that transforms a stormwater detention basin into a vibrant destination for outdoor recreation, community connection and flood resilience. The nearly $30 million project opens to the public Saturday, May 30, at 9 a.m.
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“For too long, communities like Sunnyside — where I grew up — have gone without the parks and greenspaces they deserve. Hill at Sims changes that,” said Commissioner Ellis. “At a time when working families face rising costs and shrinking public resources, investments like this matter. Safe, beautiful places to gather and enjoy time outdoors should not be luxuries reserved for the wealthiest neighborhoods.”
A park built for people and the planet
Situated within an existing Harris County Flood Control District stormwater detention basin, Hill at Sims is designed to do double duty — holding nearly 325 million gallons of stormwater along Sims Bayou while giving residents a stunning place to spend time outdoors.
The park’s centerpiece is The Brown Foundation Hilltop Pavilion, perched atop a 60-foot hill offering sweeping views of Downtown Houston, Uptown and the Texas Medical Center. Nearly 5 miles of paved and dirt hike-and-bike trails wind through the park, connecting to roughly 20 miles of trails along Sims Bayou Greenway and the broader Bayou Greenways network — more than 170 miles of trails spanning the Houston region.
Other highlights include the Dr. Alma Allen Bridge, linking Sims Bayou Greenway to the park; the Hildebrand Foundation Overlook, a glass viewing platform with panoramic park vistas; the Anthony W. Hall, Jr. Pier for recreational fishing, funded by Texas Parks and Wildlife; the Congressman Al Green Pavilion with an outdoor classroom; and six large-scale murals by local and international artists, created in partnership with Street Art for Mankind.
The park also features the Beth White Overlook, named in honor of HPB’s former president and CEO, and six total overlook areas throughout the grounds.
“Hill at Sims reflects the kind of forward-thinking design Houston needs as we adapt to a changing climate,” said Justin Schultz, president and CEO of HPB. “Through strong public-private partnership and the leadership of Commissioner Ellis, we’ve transformed essential flood infrastructure into a resilient, nature-based park that expands access to greenspace, strengthens community connectivity, and turns a regional challenge into a lasting public benefit.”
A model for flood-resilient parks
Hill at Sims is more than a park — it’s a blueprint.
The project demonstrates how flood mitigation infrastructure can be reimagined as a community asset, a concept Harris County Flood Control District Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen says has value well beyond Sunnyside.
“Hill at Sims reflects how strategic partnerships can elevate infrastructure projects beyond their primary purpose,” Petersen said. “While the Harris County Flood Control District’s mission is centered on delivering flood mitigation infrastructure, we welcome opportunities to collaborate with partners who bring expertise in parks, trails and recreation to create added value for the communities we serve.”
The park is expected to serve nearly 50,000 residents and strengthen connections to 12 nearby schools and community anchors — including religious institutions, a public library, a hospital, a community college and multi-service centers.
Public-private partnership fuels $30 million investment
The nearly $30 million project was made possible through a combination of public and private funding. Public investment totaling nearly $22 million came from the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis, along with federal and state funding secured through the advocacy of State Rep. Dr. Alma Allen and Congressman Al Green. HPB raised nearly $8 million in private investment, led by a major contribution from The Brown Foundation, Inc.
“The Brown Foundation is proud to have invested in the transformative Hill at Sims park project for the Sunnyside and south Houston communities to help enhance quality of life,” said Nancy O’Connor, president of The Brown Foundation, Inc. “Access to quality greenspace brings families and individuals closer to healthier lives and stronger communities. The hilltop pavilion’s panoramic views of Houston’s skyline serve as a powerful reminder of the connection between great public spaces and thriving neighborhoods.”
Texas Parks and Wildlife and Trees for Houston also contributed in-kind support, with Trees for Houston supplying more than 670 native trees to the park.
Built with the community in mind
The vision for Hill at Sims didn’t happen in a boardroom. It was shaped by more than 20 community meetings and input from over 700 Sunnyside residents.
The public grand opening celebration is Saturday, May 30, at 9 a.m.