The Park People, a nonprofit citizens’ organization for parks advocacy, was founded in 1979 in response to a National Urban Recreation study which found Houston and Harris County exceptionally lacking in park space. The Park People was founded to raise Houstonians’ consciousness as to the value of and the need for parks and green space in our urban lives; to create a “parks ethics” in the Houston community; to identify and celebrate the park space we have, while working continuously to enhance and augment it with funds for additional parkland acquisition, maintenance and upgrades. Since its inception, The Park People has provided almost $4 million in private funds to benefit citizens throughout Houston and Harris County with aggressive parks advocacy; public education and information through newsletter, workshops, seminars and public forums; and consistent lobbying at local, state, and national levels for more and better parks.