Challenger 7 Memorial Park

Webster, TX - If you live in Houston, you are aware of NASA and the shuttle program. If you were living in Houston in 1986, you are aware of the tragedy that befell the Challenger 7 and its crew. The sad news is that all lives were lost. In their memory memorials have been erected in Arlington National Cemetery in, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX and in the Challenger 7 Memorial Park in Webster, TX.


Now for some good news, the Memorial Park is well maintained and offers a number of fun amenities to its visitors and still offers a place to respectfully remember those who bravely boarded the Challenger 7. The park is an easy drive off I-45 (exit #19- FM 528 and turn west, turn left at the second light-NASA Parkway and turn left at the first stop sign and you are in.)


When you first turn in you will see open fields and an administrative/maintenance building to your left. Keep driving. There is a memorial to the right to respectfully remember the Challenger 7. Stop and then keep driving. You will soon see a wooden dock where you can fish. If you keep driving. You will wind around some more, see more open fields and then you will come to a sizable parking lot.


Immediately to your left is five (5), count them 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 COVERED playgrounds. On the left you will also see bathrooms, covered pavilions, picnic tables and a couple of grills. At the far end on the right is a Nature Center and the start of the boardwalk and nature trail. Travel past the parking lot and you come to a loop that u-turns you back towards the Nature Center and the rest of the park. Throughout the loop are a number of picnic tables and at the bottom of the u-turn is a canoe boat launch. It looks like it could be a nice wading area, but there were signs that said the boat launch was closed. It was hot and we were tired so we didn't go that far. We had already spent a lot of time climbing and exploring the playgrounds. Bonus for Mom was the swinging benches. We saw several of them and most were well shaded by trees.


It was very peaceful the Monday afternoon we visited. It is a healthy hour drive from northwest Houston, but a good spot to stop for a picnic on the way too or from Galveston.

Trip Stats:

• Who: Mom, three 10 year old boys and one 5 year old boy
• What: Challenger 7 Memorial Park, http://www.co.harris.tx.us/comm_lee/PChallenger7/
• When: afternoon, on a Monday
• Where: South of Houston headed towards Galveston (about an hours trip from northwest Houston)
• Why: outdoor play
• Costs: FREE