Hermann Park enhancements debut this week

A complete renovation of 26 acres inside Hermann Park finally opens to the public this week.

Why it matters: The Commons , located in the southwest corner of the park, is a major piece of the Hermann Park Conservancy's $52 million Play Your Park campaign and broader 20-year master plan .

Driving the news: The conservancy is hosting a celebration to open The Commons at 9am Saturday, when the public will be able to experience all the upgrades for the first time.

Zoom in: Those upgrades include the 2-acre Play Gardens, which feature interactive playgrounds with a 45-foot-tall rocket ship slide, splash pads, a carousel and more.

• They also include a central lawn for sprawling out in the grass, new grilling and picnic areas, and places to relax and cool off in the shade of the park's iconic live oaks.

Between the lines: The renovations help build a gateway to the park from the Texas Medical Center.

• "We're trying to encourage people who work in the medical center to just come over and take a 15-minute, 20-minute stroll," conservancy president Doreen Stoller told Houstonia in September . "Just looking at nature helps with the healing process. Frontline health care workers and people under stress can just come across the street in a few minutes and take it in."

💭 Jay's thought bubble: Hermann Park is one of my favorite places in Houston, and I can't wait to explore all The Commons has to offer.

• You'll probably soon catch me sneaking up the rocket ship slide when I think no one's looking.

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