Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/323757
t m c » p u l s e | j u n e 2 0 1 4 17 The more use you have, the more safe it is perceived to be. And perception is usually 80 percent of the challenge. The majority of the landscapes you will see, with few exceptions, will be native. They will be enhancing the natural habitat of those ecological corridors, so you will be able to enjoy the respite that they will provide. You will have a continuous green corridor, which connects the diverse neighborhoods and activities we have along the bayous. They weave together disparate but wonderful pieces. Think about Brays Bayou. On the lower end of the channel, you start at the Port of Houston, which is number one in the world for tonnage. You travel thorough the historically significant east end neighborhood, with all of its industry. You go through the historically significant Gus Wortham golf course, then U of H, additional historical neighborhoods. And then you land at the Texas Medical Center. So you are now able to experience these diverse places, which you wouldn't have a chance to otherwise experience without this green connection that feels comfortable and inviting. So being able to make those connections throughout our city is, I think, one of the terrific things about the bayou greenways, in addition to the ecological features. Q | Can you describe the oversight responsibilities of the Parks Board? A | The Parks Board has been around for 38 years now. It was formed by Mayor Hofheinz, with the intent of creating an entity that looked after the interest of private donors who wanted to contribute to the city's parks system. There was a lot of interest; in fact, a lot of our parks have come through the Parks Board, but those potential donors just didn't feel comfortable giving their assets or their money to the city. So they formed the Parks Board, and as years went by, its influence grew, primarily because a lot of private citizens—Houstonians —decided to gift large parks to the city. Quite quickly, the Parks Board becomes the entity through which the city started forming its large green spaces. Well over half of the city's park land has come through the Parks Board. Either through acquisition or through donations. So it has grown over the years to become the primary private non-profit partner to the city to grow, improve and protect the park lands within the city. Particularly in the last ten years, we have grown exponentially for a variety of reasons, both board related and staff- ing related. We are now the major over- seer, planner, doer of the city's parks system, in tandem with the City of Houston. A lot of private money comes through the Parks Board, and the Parks Board has right of entry to every public space in the city of Houston, which means we can go in and make improve- ments or buy land—all on behalf of the city. Private citizens cannot just go into a public space and make improvements. We do all of that throughout the city, and we are particularly focused on equitable distribution of amenities and green spaces. For example, parks like Hermann Park, Memorial Park and Buffalo Bayou Park—I am naming the three jewels of our system—have their own very effective boards. So they don't need our help. But JC Park in Northwest Houston, for example, doesn't have such a resource. So the Parks Board helps with improvements to those parks that may not have that kind of stewardship that tend to them. And the greenways pretty much fall into that category, because, for all prac- tical purposes, they are also the park lands for some of those neighborhoods through which they meander. As of July 1st of this year, the parks board will also be in the maintenance business on the bayou greenways. So in addition to raising private funds to help build gre- enways, we will also be entrusted with maintaining those corridors. The key is to do this all efficiently. To make the dollar go much further, by leveraging every single dollar we have and making it work for us, for those who fund us. Q | The Texas Medical Center rep- resents one of the largest pieces of real estate in the city. How can we maxi- mize that opportunity relative to the green space? A | One thing that I have found very heartening is that part of the TMC vision is to create a park-like setting for the Texas Medical Center. And it seems like such a no-brainer. Brilliant ideas are usually like that, they are so simple, but you just have to get there. What's important about that is being able to navigate in a setting that may not be the most pedestrian friendly. It com- pounds that feeling of frustration and fear. In terms of the urban context, the TMC has a large footprint, and getting larger by the day. How do you take it to the next level and make it shine in a way that it hasn't before? In a way that is much more inviting. I think it will help tremen- dously in transforming the image of the Texas Medical Center. There is great synergy there. I think if we can continue to work with your team on the land that happens to traverse through your campus, it can be something of joy and beauty and interest to you. That's one part of the relationship, but what I would also like to focus on is that there is something of joy and beauty and interest in the Texas Medical Center, that needs to be one of those very spe- cial places where you pause. Just stroll around in this very special "neighbor- hood". Take a break. Not only when you need to see a doctor, but as a place to enjoy in Houston in its own right. Q | When you think about our city now and in five years from now, is it your hope that Houston is known as one of the most green and connected cities? A | The way we have grown has been very spread out. And Houston was not known for its mixed-use kind of living. But that is changing. And it is changing more rapidly now than ever, and there's no going back. So, millions more people are going to come here, and the changes are being driven by the "creative class," the "new intellectuals." This new and younger workforce is demanding that. They could live and work anywhere, especially the best and the brightest. And we want the best and the brightest to live and work and contribute to Houston's future. We want to attract them, we want to keep them, including the ones who are home grown. What we are finding is that the quality of life, the quality of place is pretty significant to those folks who are deciding if they should go to Austin, Los Angeles, or come to Houston. So what I believe will happen is as we transform these greenways, life is going to get richer and richer along those corridors. So I fully expect if we are having this conversation years from now, that it will be a very different fabric in the city of Houston and a good amount of it will be attributable to the greenway development that is underway here. Q | How do you handle the work-life balance? A | I have been a workaholic ever since I can remember being me. When I married my husband, he knew that well. When you have children, you focus on them. And to some extent, they drive your schedule. And now that my daugh- ter is an adult, both my husband and I love what we do and can spend even more time doing that. When people call you a workaholic, it is almost like it's a dirty word. It's not. What's wrong with that? You spend so much time in your life working or practicing your profes- sion; it's a crying shame if you aren't enjoying it. And I think part of my role, as I get older, in my profession, is to help younger ones push out to the great beyond —push those limits. Working hard is not necessarily to the exclusion of a healthy family or social life. I still fully enjoy time with my family and friends. It all can work together just wonderfully. Q | Any closing thoughts that you would like to share? A | I would really encourage Houstonians, young and old, to get involved in the public realm. Get involved in the community. Think about giving a little back. Because I firmly believe that while making a wonderful living, you can feel really, really good about public service. The great things you can do are endless, whatever your passion is. Get involved and give a little. It is very rewarding, and it also opens you up to a whole different slice of the community. I think that's a life-enriching experience, and it is something you can do for the rest of your life.