A Picnic in the Park: Evelyn's Park Phase 2 Debuts

Evelyn’s Park is a Bellaire neighborhood hub that’s often full of families, and their Picnic in the Park celebration was no different. From noon to 4 p.m. last Saturday, neighbors gathered for a triple celebration: the fifth anniversary of Evelyn’s Park, a preview of the park's new “Phase 2” features, and Earth Day. There were endless kids’ activities and crafts, including a tie-dye booth from Evelyn’s Park and rock-painting from the City of Bellaire Culture & Arts Board. 

Michael Rodriguez at the tie-dye booth.

Expert advice was available at the tie-dye table from Suzie Daum, aka “the tie-dye mom.” Another booth gave away 5,000 free seedlings in honor of Earth Day, donated by Trees for Houston. Trees included American Beautyberry, Sweetgum, Turk's Cap, Bald Cypress, White Oak, Bur Oak, and Native Pecan.

The band Rock Bottom, all 6th-graders, from the AVB Music Young Artists Showcase. From left to right: Bennett Thomas on guitar, Grant Hilliard on bass, Henry Grace on drums, Judson Morrison on guitar. (Photo: Jan Fortune)

Music was provided by the AVB Music Young Artists Showcase, with several bands featuring young musicians, including the band Rock Bottom. Band director and instructor Alex Botrie manned the switchboard. 

Phase 2 features of Evelyn’s Park include three new shade structures and three play areas. Four of the features of Phase 2 were previewed Saturday. Many families took refuge under the Trevilion, a new shade structure located near the Bellaire and Betsy’s side of the park. Kids kept cool in the newly opened Splash n’ Play area while parents watched from the Veranda, the adjacent shade structure. The Solar Pavilion was located farther from the main action, but provided a shady respite for a hot Houston day.

Two of the features were not yet previewed at the event, but are part of the new Phase 2 Features. The first is Mount Bellaire, which will be the primary playscape for older children, and will include a large climbing mound, concrete slide, and log jam play structure. The second is Discovery Hill, a playscape for younger children with several climbing mounds, grass reeds, a fan slide, a tunnel, and giant lily pad shade structures. Check out our slideshow above to see the three new playscapes. 

Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that four of the Phase 2 Features were officially opened at the event. While some of the features previewed at the event, they are not yet officially open.