Houston parks face cuts in proposed FY26 budget; mowing cycles to lengthen, some pools stay closed

Houston Parks and Recreation Department Director Kenneth Allen told the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee on May 16 that his department’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget would force reductions in maintenance and renovation work across the city’s park system, lengthen mowing cycles and reduce ranger coverage.

“We are falling behind other cities in their investment in parks,” Allen said, adding that parks are “the heartbeat of the community.” The presentation laid out inventory, program and revenue details and described actions managers plan to use to close a budget gap.

The department told council members it maintains roughly 383 parks, 38 swimming pools, 60 community centers and more than 40,000 acres of developed parkland and related property across Houston. Allen said general fund expenditures for the department are roughly $87.7 million and that total proposed department expenditures are about $107.4 million for FY26. Cheryl Johnson, senior deputy director for parks finance, said total proposed revenues across funds are about $19.6 million, roughly 2% below FY25 estimates.

Why this matters: Committee members and public commenters said the proposed cuts will affect basic maintenance and public safety that shape how neighborhoods look and feel. Council members repeatedly pressed the department for how the changes will affect mowing, aquatic operations and community-center programming.

What the budget would change - Mowing and grounds maintenance: The department…