Walking

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by Christof Spieler

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Most of Houston is abysmal territory for walking, but that's not true for Rice's immediate surroundings.

American turn-of-the-century reform movements brought with them a new concept for cities: open parks, grand boulevards, civic monuments. The idea was called "city beautiful," and, while it never quite caught on in individualistic Houston, it did leave its marks in the then developing areas around the brand-new Rice campus.

If you cross Main Street at McGregor (right across from Lovett College) some day and walk a block, you'll find yourself at the edge of Hermann Park . It's a bit worn at the edges these days, but along with the alley of oaks over Main, it represents the ambitions of 80 years ago. There's a lake, lawns and woods, a corny miniature train line, a golf course, botanical gardens and the Houston Zoo.

Next door to the park is the Texas Medical Center , a hodgepodge of mostly hideous architecture housing some the nation's most prestigious medical schools and teaching hospitals. It's not bad for a walk, either; the wide sidewalks and many paths make it remarkably pedestrian-friendly.

Continuing through Hermann Park past the Miller Outdoor Theatre toward the Montrose traffic circle, you'll come to an equestrian statue of Sam Houston. Next to it is the Museum of Natural Science . A short detour to the east will bring you to a beautiful tree-shaded path leading to Braes Bayou and the bike path along it.

From the statue, you'll see across the Mecom Fountain to the Museum of Fine Arts , another monument to civic pride. The neoclassical facade is the back end; walk around to the front and you'll see not only the entrance but also the sculpture garden and Contemporary Arts Museum across Bissonnet.

Double back along Montrose and then Main. You'll find yourself skirting one of the most prestigious residential areas in Houston, Shadyside . Laid out in 1916 by the founder of Texaco for his equally wealthy friends, it's an oasis of oaks and grand old houses. One of the gates on Main is usually unlocked.

After another block, you'll find yourself at the grand entrance to the Rice campus. When Lovett Hall was built, Houstonians considered it akin to a vision rising out of the plains. The walk down the oak alley is no less glorious today.

-- Christof Spieler

This item appeared in the Features section of the September 1, 1995 issue.

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