E.R. and Ann Taylor Park

E.R. and Ann Taylor Park is a 26-acre forested oasis located in southern Houston, Texas. The park was established in 1986 when descendants of E.R. and Ann Taylor donated a portion of their family's original 600-acre property to the City of Houston.

The park has a rich history dating back to the Civil War era. Edward Ruthven Taylor, son of a prominent Houston cotton broker, and Ann, a former slave who nursed him back to health, fell in love and settled on this land in 1870. Unable to legally marry due to laws prohibiting interracial unions, they lived as husband and wife, raising six children who all went on to receive college educations.

Today, the park serves as both a nature preserve and a memorial to this remarkable couple's love story. Visitors can explore a 1.08-mile nature trail that winds through dense woods, showcasing ancient oak trees, grapevines, and diverse wildlife. The park is known for its bird-watching opportunities, with several bird blinds strategically placed throughout the grounds.

One of the park's most striking features is a collection of massive live oak trees, some of which are centuries old. These majestic trees serve as living monuments to the park's long history and the enduring legacy of E.R. and Ann Taylor.

The park also includes a wilderness pond ecosystem, providing habitat for various aquatic species and attracting migratory birds. A two-story viewing stand near the pond offers visitors an elevated perspective of the surrounding forest and wildlife.

While E.R. and Ann Taylor Park is a hidden gem within Houston's park system, it plays a vital role in preserving a slice of natural habitat within the urban environment and honoring an important chapter in the city's history.