Mayor John Whitmire Launches New Mission for Downtown Houston’s Tranquillity Park
Working in partnership with Downtown Houston+, the City will give Houstonians and visitors a more welcoming, world-class park in the shadow of City Hall
February 12, 2026 — At his annual State of the City address to key business leaders and members of the community, Mayor John Whitmire announced his vision to elevate City of Houston parks and public spaces, including a transformation of Tranquillity Park located in the shadow of City Hall at 400 Rusk St..
Tranquillity Park, flanked by Smith, Walker, Bagby and Rusk streets, opened to the public on the 10th anniversary of the historic 1969 lunar landing. The park honors the first human to walk on the moon, Commander Neil Armstrong, who announced, “Houston, Tranquillity Base here. The Eagle has landed.”
“Tranquillity Park can and should be a better reflection of this great city’s ambitions and achievements. This is one of the popular places where Houstonians gather to participate in our most cherished public events and parades. It can be a place where we welcome visitors from around the world. It can be a place where people who serve the public in local government or residents and workers in Downtown’s office towers can come for a break during their workdays,” said Mayor Whitmire.
Kris Larson, President and CEO of Downtown Houston+ said he applauded Mayor Whitmire for his vision and commitment to restoring one of Houston’s most important civic green spaces. “We appreciate Mayor Whitmire for challenging us to think creatively about this public asset in the heart of our region that had been ignored too long. Reviving Tranquillity Park will require clever interventions to broaden the park’s appeal and ease of use, while celebrating Houston’s proud history of space exploration. But physical updates teamed with active management can transform the underused public space into a reenergized place without heavy reconstruction.”
As he shared his goal of making Tranquillity Park a place of civic pride again, Mayor Whitmire pointed out that work has already begun with better care and maintenance. Last November, the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department, along with Houston Public Works, added soil, mulch and new sod at the roots of the park’s heritage oak trees.
Since then, paver repair has started, and wider upgrades will commence in March.
Mark Folkes, President and CEO of The Hobby Center for Performing Arts said improvements to the park will also weave The Hobby Center more closely into the fabric of Downtown. “For years, Houston Theater District visitors have passed Tranquillity Park and imagined its potential as a vibrant outdoor destination that complements its prime location adjacent to City Hall and The Hobby Center. We’re thrilled that improvements are underway to transform the park into an engaging public space that extends the energy, creativity, and vitality happening inside our world-class performing arts institutions, and we’re grateful for Mayor John Whitmire’s leadership in moving this effort forward.”
Around Downtown Houston, improvements to public spaces, including transformation of the George R. Brown Convention Center and the new Main Street Promenade are spurring private investors to fix up their properties as well. Expansions and new construction recently announced in Downtown include new hotels, conversions of outdated office buildings into residential properties and hotels, and the recent $50 million “reimagining” of the office tower at 910 Louisiana to open its ground floor to embrace Hermann Square and City Hall.
“I ran for mayor to fix Houston. This is an example of a long-neglected space that will be fixed. We will honor Tranquillity Park’s history and improve the public space, not just for aesthetic reasons, but also to create a park for Houstonians and visitors to enjoy and to position downtown Houston for the future,” said Mayor Whitmire.
Ed Note: Tranquillity Park is spelled with two “l’s” because it is named for the Sea of Tranquillity on the Moon.