Sylvan Rodriguez Park in Clear Lake, Houston – Parking, Timings, Turtle pond, Split stones & More!
Did y’all know Sylvan Rodriguez Park was named after Sylvan Rodriguez, who was a beloved and well respected news anchor for a number of year at KHOU-TV in Houston.
Howdy, y’all!! How are y’all doing?!
Oh boy, Houston and rest of Texas got real cold these past two weeks! Even Houston had snow!! So glad what happened in 2021 didn’t repeat itself!
Anyway, the temperatures are appearing to gradually rise up again! Though we enjoyed walking through the places lit up during the holidays, we surely do enjoy visiting places throughout the year, exploring the beauty of Texas!
Today, I wanna share about a beautiful quiet park towards the South – East of Houston.
Sylvan Rodriguez Park – A Serene 110+ Acre Green Space In Clear Lake, Houston
Yup, y’all heard that right, this beautiful park covers approximately 111 acres of lush green land towards the south east of downtown Houston.
As Clear Lake is popularly know for the presence of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the Sylvan Rodriguez Park was designed with an astronmical theme, with oak trees representing the 13 lunar cycles and the central plaza with slit stones aligned accurately to the place where the sun’s gonna rise during the Winter and Summer Solstice!
The park is equipped with play fields, a pond, small play area of children and long walking/hiking trail making it one of the best parks to visit with your loved ones – both young and old!
(You can even bring your dogs, although they must be on a leash.)
Adorned with natural beauty and a diverse variety of flora and fauna, this park makes your visit really exceptional especially if you are a nature enthusiast, or are looking for some time to relax in the midst of the nature’s embrace and wanting to tune into its tranquil lullaby!
Sylvan Rodriguez Park – A Little History
The city purchased the property for $1.3 million in 1991.
This tranquil park was named after a well known and beloved news anchor who called the clear lake area his home.
Sylvan Rodriguez (1948 – 2000)
Born on 20 Mar 1948, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, Sylvan Rodriguez, gradutated in University of Texas at Austin in 1970.
In 1977, he moved to Houston to work for KTRK-TV (ABC affiliate) Channel 13’s Eyewitness News doing the morning newscast until 1987 and worked for ABC News’ West Coast Bureau division before returning to Houston to work for CBS affiliate, KHOU-TV
He did the afternoon newscasts at KHOU-TV. He was a beloved and well respected news anchor known for his contributions to the community.
He frequently emphasized the great importance of education and often highlighted stories related to education.
Therefore, there’s even an elementary school named in his honor – Sylvan R. Rodriguez, Jr. Elementary School. The school is part of the Houston ISD (Independent School District.)
He, with his friend Mike Flory , co-founded the Sylvan Rodriguez Foundation, which helped provide educational opportunities in science, space and medicine. They both even helped lead the charge to raise funds for the Challenger Learning Center in Fort Bend County, a project of the Sugar Land Exchange Club.
When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he stood strong raised awareness regarding cancer, its research and treatment.
After fighting 15 strong months against the cancer, he died on April 7, 2000 at the age of 52.
The Sylvan Rodriguez park was dedicated and opened to public on August 25, 2001.
Sylvan Rodriguez Park – Tickets & Timings
Sylvan Rodriguez Park is open daily from dawn to dusk, so feel free to visit whenever you feel best.
There’s no ticket or fee to access the park, but please see that you abide by the rules so that everyone else visiting can enjoy a peaceful and calming experience too.
A Few Rules To Know Before Hand –
- Glass containers are prohibited.
- Alcoholic beverages and litering is not allowed.
- Use the trash cans to throw away the litter.
- Scooters and skateboards are not allowed.
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited off roadways and beyond parking areas.
- Improperly parked vehicles will be towed.
- Hunting and use of firearms is not allowed.
- Dogs are to remain on leash.
- The owners are to pick-up after pets, so it is requested y’all carry bags to pick up the their poop.
- Vending and sales without permit is prohibited.
- Plants are Animals are protected. Therefore, don’t pluck the plants/flowers or trouble the animals.
- No fishing or boating allowed.
- Control noise levels. Help making the park calm and tranquil for others too.
- Vandalizing or destroying the property is subjeect to legal actions.
- Diall 311 for any questions or help.
Location And Parking At The Sylvan Rodriguez Park
Sylvan Rodriguez Park is located at 1201 Clear Lake City Blvd, Houston, TX 77062.
Sylvan Rodriguez Park is easily accessible via major highways like I-45 or Highway 3.
Parking
Free parking is available on-site, with ample spaces near the main entrance.
The park is wheelchair accessible.
Major Attractions At The Sylvan Rodriguez Park
Soccer Fields/Lacrosse Fields
Near the parking area you’ll find 3 fields where people can play soccer or lacrosse or whatever they wanna.
Central Plaza/Standing Stone Solstice Circle
When you move towards the circular , Crescent Landing Dr, you’ll find Central plaza/Standing Stone Solstice Circle. The labyrinth in the paving pattern in the center of the plaza is based on the medieval design in Chartres Cathedral in France. (The points on the outer ring of the paving points to the four geographical directions)
It was designed and built by Dixie Friend Gay in 2001. The circular parking lot and plaza are aligned with the crescent lake on a north-south axis.
If you stand in the center of the plaza, split stones mark the point on the horizon where the sun will appear to rise during the Summer Solstice (around June 20-23) and during the Winter Solstice (around December 20-23) in a year.
The 13 Oak Trees
The 13 laurel oaks planted in a circle with a large open area in the center for meetings represent the 13 moon cycles in a year.
Bird Watching
The park being rich in different flora and fauna, gets richly visited by a wide diversity of avian life. It’s a perfect place for avain life enthusiast or nature lovers to come by and enjoy admiring the beautiful flying beings.
Plane Spotting At Ellington Field
The park is real close to the Ellington Air Force base and therefore it’s a great place for plane spotting at Ellington Field. Sometimes you might find the fighter jets from the air base doing an air show right above the Park and amaze you with their stunts!
The Walking Trails
The park has long peaceful and relaxing walking trails. This place is like heaven on earth if you loving spending time with nature.
Jogging
This park could a perfect place for you for your morning jogs or walks, if you like to have a peaceful refreshing jog.
The Flora
As you get past the pond and onto any of the trails, y’all will find tons of various kind of different native prairie grasses and wildflowers.
During spring y’all can find patches of bluebonnets too!
The Fauna
The park is blessed with the presence of innumerable, diverse fauna.
Y’all can find cows, deers, wild rabbits, ducks,turtles and even snakes. Not to mention the wide variety of bird and insect life.
The Turtle Pond
Y’all will find the Turtle pond, when you go further down the central plaza (or should I say around the plaza as it has circular path :P) The pond has lots of turtles and ducks! This pond even has a fountain at the center!
Things To Remember When Visiting The Sylvan Rodriguez Park
- When you follow the hiking trails, you’ll find tons of wildlife, even ants and snakes. Please maintain caution.
- This part of the city is rather more quiet. it’s always better to lock your car properly and keep your belongings safe.
- Be sure to bring water or food as you might not find them anywhere close, althought do know there’s not a whole lot of sitting area.
- Please use the trash cans to dispose off the trash.
- The restrooms at the Pavilion, unfortunately, isn’t well maintained.
- Before letting the children play at the park, please see if play area was subject to rust because of the weather. If it is, then it’s not safe not to let the children near them.
- Don’t let the children or yourself real close to the pond.
- If you would like to enjoy the real beauty of the park, visit after the monsoon season.
- Carry binoculars to get a better view of the birds or other wild life at the park.
- Lightweight (1.1 pounds)
- High Powered (12*42) (with Phone Adapter, Tripod and Tripod Adapter)
- Clear Low Light Vision
- Recommended For Bird Watching
Looking For Places To Stay Nearby The Sylvan Rodriguez Park?
There ain’t many hotels around as this part of Clear Lake is mostly a residential area. But I’ve found two places you might want to stay if you are looking for places around to stay for your visit. These are nearest to the Sylvan Rodriguez Park.
- A Home For The Stay
- It’s 2.43 mi away from the park. It has no name but when you book this place you can have the entire house for yourself. It’s perfect if y’all are here for long stay and will be visiting all the major attractions around.
- Scottish Inns and Suites
- It’s about 2.71 mi away from the park.
- If y’all are looking for better options, I suggest y’all explore hotels near the NASA Johnson Space Center and make a trip to the Sylvan Rodriguez Park during the day from your stay there.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fish At the pond?
No. No fishing or boating is allowed.
Is the park dog-friendly?
Yes, the park is dog friendly but your furry friends need to be on a leash at all times. And please clean up after them.
Does the park have a parking space?
Yes, there of plenty of parking space at the park and it’s free!
Writer’s Note
Hey y’all. Are y’all excited to visit the Sylvan Rodriguez Park?!
Although the park is rich with flora and fauna and provides a very relaxing experience. I think it’ll mostly attract nature lovers as there won’t be much activity around – just a few joggers, you and nature, making it perfect for those looking to spend some quiet and relaxing time.
Many residents love coming here but a few do mention that the park could have been better maintained by the local authorities. Even though the local authorities have done a lot in the past years, I believe they will continue to do so, making the Sylvan Rodriguez Park one of the best in the Clear Lake.
Feel free to comment below what you think about the park or what all things you’d like the local authorities to do to make the park better.
Love y’all!! See y’all with the next awesome post! 👋
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