City council passes Memorial Park master plan

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston City Council today unanimously approved the Memorial Park Master Plan.

The plan, championed by the Memorial Park Conservancy, will expand and add on to what is considered Houston's crown jewel of parks.

Full implementation of the master plan will take years. The cost could run up to $300 million with most of that being private funds tax increment reinvestment zone money.

Parts of the plan has called for moving the jogging trail and parking further east within park limits. That has caused some controversy with homeowners along Crestwood and other areas near Memorial Park. Homeowners worried that the new plan would push park goers to park in residential streets. City officials say they are willing to work with homeowners to alleviate their concerns.

Concerns have also been raised by supporters of a more natural Buffalo Bayou, which runs to the north side of Memorial Park. Some conservationists have worried that the new plan would take away from the "wild & natural" feel of the park.

The Memorial Park Conservancy will manage the master plan.