About Us
River Oaks Foundation was formed in 1999 as a non-profit corporation for the purpose of raising funds for the beautification and preservation of the hallmark green spaces and common areas of River Oaks.
Our History
1924
River Oaks Founded
The River Oaks neighborhood in Houston was developed in the 1920s by brothers William and Michael Hogg and their business partner Hugh Potter. They envisioned creating an upscale, planned community with strict deed restrictions, elegant homes, and lush landscaping.
1999
Foundation Formed
Building upon this new stewardship role, Bolivar Andrews, Gwyn Smith, Caroline Gregory, and Paul Hobby formed the River Oaks Foundation in 1999. The board is now comprised of seven members of the River Oaks community, two of whom also serve on the ROPO board.
1998
River Oaks Property Owners
In 1998, the River Oaks Property Owners adopted from the City of Houston all of the neighborhood's esplanades, islands, and parks. These integral green spaces are daily reminders of the founders' original vision.
2000
Projects Kick Off
River Oaks Foundation held a campaign in the early 2000s and those proceeds have been used on a variety of projects around River Oaks ever since. This was the first fundraising campaign to create a fund to maintain and improve the neighborhood beauty.
River Oaks Neighborhood
Map of parks, esplanades, and green spaces owned by The River Oaks Property Owners
Past Projects
The original Staub gates to the neighborhood were cracked and crumbling until the foundation was repaired and replastered, and the iconic markers were in their original pale pink. The foundation funded projects including planting trees and refreshing the landscapes of Homewood Park on Lazy Lane, Rebecca Myer Park on Reba Drive, Mary Elliott Park on Chevy Chase Drive, Sleepy Hollow Park on Sleepy Hollow Court, and the park at Kirby Drive and Shepherd. Troon Road, Olympia Drive, Briarwood Court, Ella Lee at Larchmont, and Pine Valley Island all have green spaces enhanced by foundation dollars.
Current Projects
Our current project is to raise funds to complete construction of the rose gardens on River Oaks Boulevard. The design was based on old photographs from the 1930s and 40s. So much thought and planning went into the original design concept by the founders Hugh Potter, the Hogg brothers and the landscape architects Hareand Hare, that there was no reason to change anything. Construction began in the spring of 2020 and as of now, seven of the nine esplanades have been land- scaped with brightly colored rose gardens. The gardens survived the big freeze and burst into bloom after those dreadful days in mid-February. We are hoping to celebrate completion of all of the esplanades this fall.