Market Square Park, the original heart of community activity in downtown Houston, opened August 28 to combine live entertainment, shady walkways and a dog run to rival all dog runs.

With the addition of a window-service style Niko Niko’s, park-goers can enjoy their favorite Greek food and sit outdoors nestled in the shade or take to the lawn for picnic-style casual dining. Additionally, free live concerts in collaboration with the non-profit The Houston Sound are planned for the fall. Neighbors near and far are encouraged to soak-up the atmosphere of live music filling the streets of historic downtown Houston.

The public art on display is a vital component of the redesign, with some of the most unique pieces created by local and national artists. The park’s rich past is illuminated by Richard Turner’s repurposed and scattered pieces of demolished downtown buildings and the hand-painted ceramic tiles by Malou Flato, which evokes the feel of Market Square in the late 19^th and early 20^th century. Points of View, a painted steel and wood sculpture by James Surles stands above a gentle water feature and anchors the new cafe.

To create a truly diverse park that can accommodate a growing and diverse community, many great minds came together. Lauren Griffith Associates, a Houston-based landscape architect, Ray + Hollington Architects and Tribble & Stephens all consulted on the project and designed a park that was in keeping with history and embracing of the future.