Sesquicentennial Park
This award winning urban park was designed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Houston’s founding along the banks of Buffalo Bayou. Kerry Goelzer served as project manager for Team HOU Architects, winners of the competition entry, and Ray+Hollngton Architects, the architects of record for the final phase. She worked closely with Guy Hagstette, FAIA, Team HOU’s park designer and Lauren Griffith, ASLA, the landscape architect, through all phases. The park features lookout pavilions, waterfalls, natural landscaping, and seven stainless steel towers designed with artwork by the artist Mel Chin and the children of Houston. Each tower of “Seven Wonders” represents a pillar of the community related to Houston’s history: agriculture, energy, manufacturing, medicine, philanthropy, technology and transportation. The striking images are visible beyond the park’s perimeter, gateposts marking the park’s location.