Buffalo Bayou, the 52-mile slow-moving waterway that was the site of Houston's founding in 1836, has become a destination for outdoor recreation near downtown Houston. It is one of the few bayous left in central Houston which was not reconstructed with concrete in the 1960s and 1970s. It contains an incredibly diverse urban ecosystem supporting dozens of native species of flora and fauna.

In 2006, an innovative lighting program, designed for the entire Buffalo Bayou greenway, was unveiled with the Sabine-to-Bagby Promenade. Diverse lighting treatments identify Buffalo Bayou as the spine of the city and a major destination for night-time activity. The lights, designed by artist Stephen Korns and international lighting firm L’Observatoire, brighten the bridges, trails, and water of the park with a blue-to-white color scheme changing in tandem with the phases of the moon.

The bayou is currently undergoing a major renovation plan that will dramatically increase access and recreation activities along its main stretch. The project is set for completion in early 2015.