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Backyard of Our American Dream

For years, Burnett Bayland Park has been Gulfton’s shared backyard —

A place where families gather, children play, and cultures come alive.

Help us improve this park for generations to come.

Known as the “Ellis Island of Harris County,” Gulfton is one of the County’s most vibrant and culturally diverse communities, inviting people from all corners of the world to fulfill their dreams. Residents bring rich cultural heritage, traditions, and experiences to the neighborhood. With more than 50 languages spoken throughout the community, Gulfton is a microcosm of the world.

The Burnett Bayland Park campaign, powered by Precinct4Forward, translates a shared vision for an accessible public space that supports children, families, and the broader community into action. The Burnett Bayland master plan provides award-winning improvements that ensure the park prioritizes the residents it will continue to serve.

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High Population Density

More than 50,000 residents live within the 2 square miles of Gulfton, the highest density in Harris County. 

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A Global Microcosm

With more than 60% of families born in another country and 50 languages spoken, Gulfton represents the cultural diversity of the world.

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Poverty Rate

Gulfton’s poverty rate, 35%, is more than triple the national average of 10%, and double the local rate of 16.7% for Harris County.

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Youth Demographics

Over a quarter of Gulfton residents are under the age of 16, receive free or reduced priced lunch, and lack access to recreational facilities. 

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Chronic Flooding

Severely limited greenspace throughout Gulfton contributes to chronic flooding in and around Burnett Bayland Park. 

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Heat Island Effect

Minimal tree canopy exacerbates the urban heat index. Gulfton summers measure up to 17 degrees hotter than other communities in Harris County. 

A young girl and a woman, both wearing white construction helmets with a crest and star emblem, are at a groundbreaking ceremony. The girl is holding a golden shovel and wearing pink glasses, a gray school uniform, and black sneakers. The woman is in
An aerial view of Burnett Bayland Park's future plans with several small soccer fields, walking paths, numerous trees, and a modern building with a blue roof.
Children and adults dancing and playing at an outdoor event under a covered pavilion with basketball hoops. There are trees and open field in the background.
Modern building with a perforated blue facade, open ground floor with stairs, located near water, under a starry night sky.
Group of women and children dressed in colorful traditional Mexican dresses performing a folkloric dance outdoors under a basketball hoop with onlookers in the background.
People entering Burnett Bayland Park through a modern yellow entrance structure in a park with green grass and trees, under a partly cloudy, sunlit sky.

A Collective Vision for Gulfton: Community shapes the plan

Developed over several months through robust community engagement and a neighborhood stakeholder committee, the award-winning Burnett Bayland Master Plan showcases the community vision for Burnett Bayland Park as the heart of Gulfton, offering opportunities for the community to relax and play, experience and escape into nature, spend time with family and friends, gather as a community, and develop new skills and talents. 

Learn more
A vibrant outdoor park scene with a large tree in the foreground and groups of people enjoying the sunny day. The park features a modern blue pavilion with people sitting and socializing, surrounded by colorful flowers and lush greenery.

Invest in the Backyard Of The American Dream

The Burnett Bayland Park revitalization is a project that will transform Harris County’s Burnett Bayland Park into a world-class, inclusive, and resilient destination. This Campaign will result in the development of a 50-acre vibrant community hub and will support positive health outcomes, community connection and economic opportunity, while promoting environmental resilience. 

Fueled by visionary public and philonthropic partners, this $101 million campaign is already funded through Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Take Action

Watch Our Campaign Video

Burnett Bayland Park Before and After

Drag your cursor over the image to see the transformation

Aerial view of Burnett Bayland Park's current state with green fields, trees, playground, tennis court, pathways, and nearby buildings, bordered by Gulfton Street, Chimney Rock Road, and Renwick Drive.
Aerial view of Burnett Bayland Park's planned transformation layout with parks, sports fields, pavillions, gatherings areas, ponds, and pathways, bordered by Gulfton Street, Chimney Rock Road, and Renwick Drive.

“It’s like having a little piece of paradise in our backyard.”

— Maria Hernandez, Madres del Parque

Three people standing close together indoors, smiling at the camera at a Burnett Bayland Park community engagement event.

We invite you to be part of the transformation of Harris County’s Burnett Bayland Park into a world-class, inclusive, and resilient destination.