Archive for the ‘oak park’ Category
January 31st, 2010 | 
Author: Widely known as one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Houston, River Oaks was originally developed in the 1920s by Will and Mike Hogg and James Potter. In 1928, you could buy a lot in the River Oaks subdivision for $2,200. These days, homes in River Oaks sell for considerably more. The starting price for most homes in the exclusive, pricey neighborhood have a median value of about $3 million with starting prices of about $400,000.
River Oaks is a subdivision in Central West Houston with about 1,600 homes. It is located in easy proximity to Loop 610 and the Southwest Freeway, and is only minutes from downtown Houston. The beautiful area features columned mansions, gated estates and manicured driveways bordered by carefully maintained gardens.
The exclusive residential subdivision of Houston is a fitting place for the “home of your dreams”. The Hogg brothers and Potter envisioned an exclusive, upscale neighborhood, and they enforced restrictions on the value of homes that could be built on the plots in their subdivision (nothing under $7,000), and the styles that could be used.
Despite the restrictions, the homes here are a wonderfully diverse blend of architectural styles. Those restrictions, however, did enforce a beautiful uniformity of feeling, so that the neighborhood of River Oaks has an internal harmony that is lacking in many newer communities.
Many of the homes were designed by the leading architects of their time, and the community has long been home to the big names of Houston society and culture. One of the homes is on the National Registry of Historic Homes. The Hogg family home, built by Ima Hogg, was donated to the Museum of Fine Arts complete with all of its furnishings. River Oaks is old style Houston at its best, and deed restrictions placed on land sales ensure that it will remain that way into perpetuity.
While it is within a mile of two shopping centers, the neighborhood itself is strictly residential. The deed restrictions prevent any commercial or multi-family development within the two mile square area. It is a tribute to gracious, comfortable living.
The centerpiece of the neighborhood is River Oaks Boulevard, lined with towering oaks and stately homes. The boulevard leads directly to the portico of the River Oaks Country Club, the center of social life. Homes here include gracious mansions, secluded estates and elegant, lovely edifices.
The styles include Tudor, Georgian, plantation, chateau, Spanish and traditionally designed one story homes. New development carefully echoes the elegance and style of the older homes in the area, with lovely new patio and garden designs as well as elegantly appointed traditional architectural styles.
The River Oaks Property Owners Association maintains control over the growth in the exclusive neighborhood, enforcing its elegance through deed restrictions and caring for the parks and esplanades. The ROPOA also operates its own security service, the River Oaks Patrol Service.
The neighborhoods that border here mirror the elegance and sophistication of the beautiful area. Royden Oaks, Avalon Place, Oak Estate and other nearby neighborhoods have been planned to emulate the stately desirability of homes here. Many of the older homes in these neighborhoods are carefully renovated and maintained to live up to the standards set by their more exclusive neighbors. Even the amenities and fittings of the neighborhoods echo the traditions of yesteryear, as in the cast iron street lamps on the streets of Royden Oaks which are identical to those used in River Oaks.
Living here also offers all the benefits of living in one of the most cosmopolitan and refreshing cities in the world. Houston’s beautiful downtown is just minutes away, giving the residents of the exclusive enclave easy access to world class restaurants, shopping and cultural events.
The neighborhood is a part of the Houston Independent School District, one of the most highly regarded public school districts in the state. Children from here attend one of several public or private elementary, middle and high schools and have access to more than 25 colleges or universities in the Houston area.
River Oaks offers fine living in a beautifully appointed neighborhood, where the elegance of yesterday blends with the modern conveniences of today. From the River Oaks Community Center which offers free classes to residents of all ages, to the Buffalo Bayou, it is the most sought after residence address in Houston.
Posted in The local native peoples called the enormous waterfalls “Niagara Falls’’ — because that’s what the tribes name was (Anglicised: Niagara) and they thus felt a spiritual connection to it. Even at the present day, personally myself, I feel the mightiness yet a peacefulness as well. Niagara Falls is known as the “Honeymoon Capital”. Whether you want to tie the knot or not, it is definitely a place you, your family, and friends can explore and should be put on the map as one of your travel destinations — even if it’s just once in your lifetime! Niagara Falls is consists of actually 3 waterfalls: Canadian horseshoe falls, the bridal veil falls, and the American Falls. It is the 3rd largest in the world; however, it is the combination of height and the volume of water that makes is the overall biggest and by far the most appealing and visited. An amazing 250,000 cubic feet of water goes over every 1 second (i.e. in the summer peak time; all other seasons will vary to a lower amount). The total height is approximately 167 ft. This is a geological marvel that we should not take for granted. This Brink of he Falls certainly is the best vantage point when it comes to seeing the actual Falls.
Victoria Park was named to honour Queen Victoria, 1892, the reigning monarch of Great Britain. The park is really a large, spread out floral garden and well-maintained pedestrian walkways. It stretches from the bottoms of Murray Hill to Clifton Hill along the Niagara Parkway. From there you can see the wonderful Falls and the massive mist cloud which forms due to the evaporation effect. If you are lucky enough, on a bright clear day, you may even catch a rainbow! The illumination of the falls takes place nightly year round. As a thrilling bonus, Fridays, Sundays (and holidays), a huge fireworks display occurs. Both events are complimentary. This is one of the most admired parks in all of Canada. In other words, a must see! The Niagara Parks Commission spends countless hours and much devotion maintaining and protecting this treasure for the whole world to enjoy! The Oakes Garden Theatre reminds one of a roman garden and is adjacent to the Rainbow Bridge following south. The newly transformed Table Rock Centre is where the Journey behind the Falls is located, which is right at the brink of the Falls. It houses the Elements on the Falls Restaurant, fast food outlets, gift shops and the Niagara’s Fury, a simulated movie about the creation of the Falls. Just opposite of the Table Rock Centre is the Riverview Market Eatery on level 1 and Edgewaters Tap & Grill on level 2. A memorable tour of a lifetime is The Maid of the Mist boat ride, which can be taken from the Maid of the Mist marketplace 0.5 km north of the Falls.
Fallsview & Clifton Hill are the two main tourist districts in the vicinity. There are several restaurants, night clubs, souvenir shops, lodging, and attractions to experience … the name of the game is … pick and choose your venue … and have great FUN!
Free admission into the park; Fees apply to vehicle parking lots.
The Butterfly Conservatory (admission extra), Botanical Gardens, School of Horticulture, and the Whirlpool Golf Course & Restaurant are along this route. This gives you a range of choices of things to see and/or do.
The above mentioned points of interest are approximately 5-10 km north of the actual Falls along the Niagara Parkway.
Parking lots are free for all the above sites.
Notes:
Appropriate hiking gear is highly recommended.
Fishermen must obtain a local licence.
Hunting is strictly forbidden.
Read more Niagara Falls Articles
The Chianti Sculpture Park offers each of its visitors a unique experience. In an untouched wood of ilex and oak trees in the heart of Sienese Chianti, many internationally renowned artists from five continents have created imposing contemporary sculptures in accordance with their own creative ideas and style.Piero Giadrossi the founder of this Park, has travelled extensively for over 20 years and has always collected small and large contemporary sculptures. His vision was to share with the discerning visitors of Tuscany, his love for sculpture and so he decided to create a permament exhibition along a shadowy trail which runs through a beautiful wood of oaks. Each artist chose the site for his or her installation, thus each work becomes a unique presence in the corner of the wood where it is mounted. To select the artists Piero was helped by an Art Committee and careful thought was given to the nationality and the media used. “All the sculptures therefore, can be considered to be truly site-specific, which explains their harmony with the trees, the sounds, the colours, the light, and every other element of the wood. In fact, these man-made works do not extend beyond the limits of nature, rather, they integrate with it and enhance it,” says Piero Giadrossi.
Twenty countries are represented so far and this makes the Park truly unique in Italy. One of the objectives of the Park was to give room to artists barely known in Europe, but famous in their country of origin; significant talents that otherwise would have no exposure to the western public.
Temporary exhibition will be held annually in the amphitheater.Opposite the entrance of the Park an old building which was a pottery, has been transformed into a large art gallery and so visitors who have admired the large sculptures in the Park can have a chance to admire smaller works made by the same artists.
How to get to the Chianti Sculpture Park:
Milan-Rome highway: Firenze Certosa exit.
Superstrada to Siena: Siena Nord exit.
Left onto SS 222, towards Castellina and then take a right turn after 1.5 km towards Vagliagli.
Drive for about 8 km and then turn right towards PIEVASCIATA. It is a country road and you will find the Park at your right after about 4 km.
From Rome: drive the Superstrada around Siena until you find the Siena Nord exit. Then follow the instruction above.
Opening hours:
April – October from 10:00 am to Sunset.
From November to March it is advisable to call first: 0577-357151
For further information and for accommodation booking contact Dream Destination Europe http://www.dde-europe.com/eng/
