FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  CONTACT: Estella Espinosa
March 2, 2005                                                713.845.1135

Heavy Spring Break Traffic 
At Hermann Park
Anticipated by HPARD

As thousands of students and their parents prepare to leave the classrooms for a well-deserved spring break, representatives from the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Texas Medical Center, METRO, HPD and other city entities are working together to insure Houstonians enjoy themselves at one of Houston’s premier parks.

Hermann Park, located near the Medical Center, provides a number of activities for Houstonians to participate in.  The Houston Zoo, the Museum District, hike and bike trails, the Japanese Garden, McGovern Lake, Hermann Golf course, and Judson Robinson, Jr. Community Center are just a few of the attractions and activities available to Houstonians.

“Hermann Park has a lot to offer and we’re proud to have such a wonderful and historic park in our system,” said Joe Turner, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department.  “We encourage the public to come enjoy the park but please be aware that there may be some traffic congestion.”

This year, spring break will run over a four-week period beginning Feb. 28 and ending on March 28.  It’s possible that 20,000 people per day could be headed to Hermann Park if the weather is spring-like and sunny. 

Carpooling and riding the METRO bus system, or METRORail system are good alternative ways of beating potential traffic problems.  From the south, you can catch METRORail at the Fannin South Park & Ride lot located at 1604 West Bellfort (between Knight and Fannin).  Or you can park downtown and catch  METRORail at any of the downtown Rail Stations.  Once you get to Hermann Park, there are two drop-off locations from which to choose: Hermann Park/Rice U Station, at Fannin and Sunset; and Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo, at North MacGregor and Ross Sterling.  For more information on the METRORail system, including a map, schedule and fares, visit www.ridemetro.org or call METROLine at 713.635.4000. 

“We’re working to make Spring Break a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone who visits Hermann Park,” Turner stated. “So come on out enjoy the fine spring weather and make sure to take traffic into consideration when you’re planning your outing.”

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