$27 million gift from Nancy and Rich Kinder anchors $57.5 million park transformation, elevating their philanthropy past $500 million
In a major boost to Houston’s green space renaissance, the Kinder Foundation has committed a transformative $27 million lead gift to the revitalization of MacGregor Park, a historic 65-acre urban oasis in the heart of the Third Ward. The donation is the cornerstone of a $57.5 million redesign effort that will reconnect communities to nature, restore vital green space, and preserve cultural legacy.
The gift reflects the deep civic spirit of Nancy and Rich Kinder, whose names have become synonymous with Houston’s most impactful philanthropic efforts. As longtime champions of public parks, equitable access to green space, education, and the arts, the Kinders have shaped the city’s landscape in both visible and lasting ways.
“We’re very passionate about all our parks in Houston, and MacGregor Park has been on our radar for a long, long time,” said Nancy Kinder, president and CEO of the Kinder Foundation. “When I found out how many parks we have in Houston that are more than 100 years old, I was kind of shocked. It reinforces why Rich and I think parks are so important. It’s why we want to take care of some of the city’s most iconic spaces — and MacGregor Park is one of them.”
This isn’t just another park project for the Kinders — it’s a continuation of their unwavering belief that public spaces should be beautiful, functional, and accessible to all. Their philanthropic philosophy is guided by the idea that lasting change begins at the community level, and that investments in public infrastructure — when done with care and vision — can uplift entire neighborhoods.
Nancy Kinder, known for her hands-on approach and thoughtful engagement, often emphasizes the importance of listening to the community and creating spaces that invite connection, creativity, and healing. She recalls advice from a New York landscape architect two decades ago during the design of Discovery Green: “You have to have 10 different things for visitors to do, for them to want to come back.” That principle now helps guide the vision for MacGregor Park.
Her husband, Rich Kinder, a former energy executive and co-founder of Kinder Morgan, has long shared her belief that wealth comes with the responsibility to give back. Together, through the Kinder Foundation, they have donated over $500 million to projects that reflect their values — including Buffalo Bayou Park, Memorial Park, Bayou Greenways 2020, and the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
While the Kinders are widely celebrated for their park investments, their reach goes far beyond trails and trees. Their foundation has supported transformative efforts in education, health care, and civic leadership. They’ve helped fund programs at Rice University, established the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, and bolstered key organizations advancing economic opportunity, research, and the arts.
In every project, the Kinders emphasize transparency, accountability, and long-term impact. Their focus isn’t on putting their name on buildings — it’s on building a better Houston.
The MacGregor Park project, first imagined in 2016 and reworked in 2019 after deep community consultation, is now set to become one of the city’s most dynamic public spaces. Led by the Houston Parks Board and designed by landscape architect Walter Hood, the redesign will feature:
- New pickleball courts
- A redesigned prairie playground
- Revamped volleyball and baseball facilities
- A sprawling pine tree grove near the Homer Ford Tennis Center
- A renewed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza featuring the preserved “Tree of Life” sculpture
- A cultural and athletic promenade that connects the park’s elements like a flowing river
Hood’s design respects the park’s heritage while building for the future. Old parking areas will be moved to the perimeter and subtly memorialized — preserving the site’s memory while making room for nature.
“We’re really thinking of it as a river — something that flows through the park and touches every element,” said Hood. “It’s rare to have donors like the Kinders who not only fund a vision but deeply care about what it means to the people who live here.”
With construction expected to be complete by the end of 2028, MacGregor Park will emerge as a shining example of what’s possible when private generosity meets public purpose. For the Kinders, it’s another step in a legacy that’s already reshaped the city — and a gift to future generations of Houstonians.
“We want people to feel welcomed here,” said Nancy Kinder. “We want this to be a place they return to again and again — not just because it’s beautiful, but because it feels like it belongs to them.”