Houston City Council votes unanimously to approve joint application for Houston's oldest public park.

Houston, Texas, February 7, 2007 - Sam Houston Park, Houston's first and oldest municipal park, received special designation as a Protected Landmark at today's meeting of the Houston City Council. The application, made jointly by City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department and The Heritage Society, highlighted Sam Houston Park's historical significance to the city and emphasized the need for preservation safeguards imposed by the Protected Landmark designation.     

 Founded in 1899, Sam Houston Park has served as the site of one of Houston's first public schools as well as the city's first zoo. Today, the Park is home to Houston's first and only outdoor museum, The Heritage Society. Comprised of 9 historic structures and a museum gallery, The Heritage Society maintains another Protected Landmark - the 1847 Kellum-Noble House. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Kellum-Noble House is Houston's oldest standing brick structure on its original foundation and is located on the south-most portion of Sam Houston Park. Maintained by City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Sam Houston Park remains an important present-day reminder of Houston's rich and complex history.