Levy Park Guide: Playground, Dog Park and Free Events in Upper Kirby

At a glance

• Where: 3801 Eastside Street, Upper Kirby, Houston, TX 77098
• Hours: Grounds open daily. Amenities typically 9 am–7 pm; check levyparkhouston.org for seasonal changes.
• Cost: Free admission
• Parking: Free street parking on Eastside Street and Wakeforest Ave. Paid parking at Kirby Grove garage (corner of Richmond Ave and Wakeforest Ave).
• Time needed: 1–3 hours depending on events

Levy Park is a free, 6-acre urban park at 3801 Eastside Street in Upper Kirby. It’s open every day, admission costs nothing, and the programming calendar runs year-round with free fitness classes, family events, and arts programming. Come for the children’s treehouse playground, the off-leash dog park with separate large- and small-dog sections, or one of the weekly free events on the lawn.

The park traces an unlikely origin: in 1941, Leon Levy’s estate bequeathed the land to the City of Houston. After decades as a neighborhood green space, it was completely redesigned beginning in 2015 through a partnership between the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority and the Upper Kirby District Foundation, reopening in 2017. The redesign — by the Office of James Burnett and Natalye Appel and Associates Architects — swept both the Urban Open Space and People’s Choice categories at the 2018 ULI Houston Development of Distinction awards. Houston Press named it Best New Park in 2017.

The City of Houston owns the land, but the Upper Kirby District Foundation, a private nonprofit, manages day-to-day operations, maintenance, and programming. That arrangement is why the event quality and upkeep are notably higher than at most city parks — the Foundation raises its own funds and sets its own programming calendar.

What is there to do at Levy Park?

Levy Park fits several distinct zones into 6 acres: a children’s playground, an off-leash dog park, a multi-use Activity Lawn with free fitness classes, a boardwalk that climbs into the live oak canopy, and two on-site restaurants. All of it is within a five-minute walk.

Children’s Park and playground

The children’s play area is built around non-traditional features: a climbing wall, a seven-foot-wide slide, the Cosmo climbing sphere, lighted tunnels, dance chimes, a three-tiered water feature, and sculpted play berms. The design works for toddlers and grade-schoolers alike. Amenities are typically open 9 am–7 pm daily, weather permitting.

On the Activity Lawn adjacent to the playground, the Imagination Playground sets out oversized blue foam building blocks. Children can build, rearrange, and rebuild freely — one of the few open-ended creative play experiences at a Houston park, at no charge.

For more playgrounds worth the drive, see our best playgrounds in Houston guide.

The Overlook

Most first-time visitors walk right past the Overlook: a colorful boardwalk structure that winds gradually up into the live oak canopy above the park. From the top, you’re standing among the branches looking down at the lawn — a view unlike anything else in Upper Kirby and the best photo spot on the property. Follow signs from the main lawn.

Off-leash dog park

Levy Park’s dog park is split into separate sections for large dogs and small dogs. Each side has turf-covered play mounds, shade trees, a water feature, and a double-gated entry for safe drop-off. The park is toward the eastern end of the property, clearly signed from the main path.

Dogs should be current on vaccinations. Review the current rules at levyparkhouston.org before your first visit.

For a complete list of off-leash options across Houston, see our dog parks in Houston guide.

Free programming and events

Levy Park runs a full schedule of free classes and community events year-round, with no registration required for most. As of October 2026, the regular weekly lineup includes:

• Zumba (Sundays 9–10 am and Mondays 6:30–7:30 pm)
• Bollywood and Bhangra Dance (Saturdays 10–11 am and Wednesdays 6–7 pm)
• Blue Dragon Tai Chi (Thursdays 6–7 pm and Fridays 9–10 am)
• Restorative Yoga (Fridays 8–9 am)
• Family Storytime and Craft with free supplies (Tuesdays 10 am)
• Children’s Bingo for ages 4–12 (Thursdays 4:30–5 pm)
• Argentine Tango Series (Thursdays 7–8 pm)
• Sunset Bingo with DJ Del and prizes (second Friday of each month, 5–8 pm)

Annual highlights include the Howl-o-ween Dog Parade and Costume Contest in October and the Holiday Festival in December. Schedules shift by season — check levyparkhouston.org/calendar before you go.

Restaurants at Levy Park

Hearsay at Levy Park

Hearsay (3728 Wakeforest St) is an all-day gastropub with indoor seating and a covered patio overlooking the park grounds. It serves brunch on weekends and dinner through the evening. Hours are typically Monday through Saturday 11 am–11 pm, Sunday 10 am–9 pm. Confirm hours at hearsaygastrolounge.com or call ahead, as they vary on holidays.

Gaspachos Mexican Bites

Gaspachos (3709 Eastside St) is a walk-up counter serving tacos, agua frescas, and Mexican snacks with outdoor seating that faces the lawn. Hours are typically Monday through Thursday 11 am–10 pm, Friday through Sunday 10 am–11 pm.

Kind Ice Cream

The Kind Ice Cream truck parks in the Activity Lawn area with handcrafted scoops and frozen treats. Availability varies — check the park’s social media before making the trip specifically for ice cream.

For more options a short walk or drive away, our best restaurants in Upper Kirby guide covers the full neighborhood. Bringing a dog? Our dog-friendly Houston patio guide lists patios that welcome leashed pups nearby.

Tips and best time to visit

October through April is the most comfortable window: Houston’s heat eases and the outdoor lawn events are at their best. In summer, arrive before 9 am — the turf and pavement heat up fast, and the playground gets warm by mid-morning.

Weekday mornings are the quietest time at the playground. A Tuesday or Wednesday before 10 am is nearly crowd-free if you have young children. Weekend evenings draw bigger turnouts for events, which can be a lively atmosphere or a packed lawn depending on the night.

Insider tip: Sunset Bingo on the second Friday of each month is one of the most underrated free evenings in Upper Kirby. DJ Del provides the soundtrack, prizes go to bingo winners, and the open-lawn setup makes it a genuinely good time. Plan for about two hours.

Getting there and parking

Address: 3801 Eastside Street, Houston, TX 77098

Free street parking is available on Eastside Street and on Wakeforest Avenue. For larger events, when street spots fill quickly, the Kirby Grove garage at the corner of Richmond Avenue and Wakeforest Avenue provides additional paid parking. Check signage at the garage for current rates.

METRO bus routes serve the surrounding streets along Kirby Drive and Richmond Avenue. Use the trip planner at ridemetro.org for current schedules. An overview of the system is in our Metro Houston guide. Rideshare drop-off is easiest on Eastside Street.

Nearby attractions

Levy Park sits within a short drive of several of Houston’s most visited sites. The Menil Collection in Montrose is about 1.5 miles east. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is roughly 2 miles southeast near Hermann Park. The Water Wall (Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park) is about a mile west on Post Oak Boulevard. Everything else the neighborhood has is in our Upper Kirby things to do guide.

Save this: Levy Park checklist

• Check levyparkhouston.org/calendar before you go — the best events shift by season and can draw large crowds
• Gaspachos and Hearsay accept cards; Gaspachos has quick walk-up service if the gastropub has a wait
• Bring water for your dog in summer; the turf holds heat after 10 am
• Dogs need current vaccinations for the dog park; bring documentation on a first visit
• The Overlook boardwalk is at the north end of the park; follow signs from the main lawn or you’ll miss it
• Evening events fill street parking fast — arrive 15 minutes early or head straight to Kirby Grove garage

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is Levy Park free?

Yes. Levy Park in Upper Kirby, Houston, has free admission. Parking is also free on adjacent streets; the nearby Kirby Grove garage charges a fee.

Where is Levy Park in Houston?

Levy Park is at 3801 Eastside Street in the Upper Kirby neighborhood of Houston, TX 77098, near the intersection of Kirby Drive and Richmond Avenue.

Does Levy Park have a dog park?

Yes. Levy Park has an off-leash dog park split into separate sections for large dogs and small dogs. Each section has turf mounds, shade trees, a water feature, and a double-gated entry. Dogs should be current on vaccinations.

What free events does Levy Park offer?

Levy Park runs free weekly classes including Zumba, Bollywood and Bhangra Dance, Tai Chi, yoga, Argentine Tango, Family Storytime, Children’s Bingo, and monthly Sunset Bingo with a DJ. Check levyparkhouston.org/calendar for the current schedule.

What restaurants are at Levy Park?

Levy Park has two on-site restaurants: Hearsay at Levy Park (3728 Wakeforest St), an all-day gastropub open for brunch and dinner, and Gaspachos Mexican Bites (3709 Eastside St), a walk-up counter serving tacos and Mexican snacks. A Kind Ice Cream truck also appears in the park on varying days.

Where do you park at Levy Park in Houston?

Free street parking is available on Eastside Street and Wakeforest Avenue adjacent to the park. For larger events, the Kirby Grove parking garage at the corner of Richmond Avenue and Wakeforest Avenue offers additional paid parking.