At the southern tip of the Columbia Tap Trail, there is a quiet place that holds decades of history, resilience, and remembrance.

Volunteer to help re-home native prairie plants that help mitigate heat and flooding while providing benefits to local species!
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A Place of Healing

In 1986, R. Michael Lee and his partner Chuck created the Texas AIDS Memorial Garden amid the devastation wrought by the AIDS epidemic and the harrowing loss of friends. What began as an act of grief became an enduring symbol of love, resilience, and community care.

Once a neglected piece of land along the Columbia Tap Trail, the surrounding garden is now a cherished place of healing. In 2023, it was officially recognized as one of the oldest AIDS monuments in the United States by former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Over the years, Michael Lee fought tirelessly to preserve the sanctity of this space. Thanks to the support of volunteers, Friends of Columbia Tap, and local community leaders, the garden continues to evolve while offering visitors a place for solemn reflection and remembrance.

Despite numerous setbacks, the garden stands today as a testament to the transformative power of remembrance and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

Rooted in Resilience

The landscape itself reflects healing—not only for people, but for the environment.

The linear vegetated ditches along the trail, known as bioswales, are specially designed to:

• Absorb stormwater from surrounding streets
• Reduce flooding in Brays Bayou
• Filter pollutants through deep-rooted native plants
• Improve water quality
• Provide habitat for native birds, pollinators, and wildlife

Native plants such as Louisiana Iris, Black-eyed Susan, Spicebush Swallowtail host plants, and Purple Coneflower help restore ecological balance while strengthening the resilience of the trail corridor.

These systems demonstrate how thoughtful ecological design can protect both communities and ecosystems.

Come Participate in a Native Prairie Planting

This legacy of care continues through hands-on volunteer efforts—and you’re invited to be part of it.

Help re-home native prairie plants that mitigate heat and flooding while supporting local wildlife and pollinators.

Native prairie restoration is one of the most effective tools we have to:

• Reduce urban heat
• Improve flood resilience
• Support biodiversity
• Restore native ecosystems
• Strengthen community stewardship

Event Details

Native Prairie Planting
Sunday, February 22
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
5504 Ardmore St, Houston, TX

Hosted by:

• Friends of Columbia Tap
• Rotaract Club of Houston Innovation Corridor
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
• Green Spring Productions
• Houston Tree Initiative

Why This Matters to Texas Rainbow Fund

The Texas AIDS Memorial Garden a physical part of our collective story.

For LGBTQ+ Texans, public spaces like this represent visibility, dignity, and belonging. They remind us of those we lost, those who fought for care and recognition, and those who continue building stronger, more inclusive communities today. They also truly represent what Houston could look like if we treated our green public spaces differently.

Investing in safe, resilient, and welcoming public spaces is core to the Texas Rainbow Fund mission. Native prairie restoration strengthens neighborhoods physically and symbolically—reducing environmental risk while creating places where everyone can gather, reflect, and thrive.

This work connects environmental resilience with social resilience.

Because the health of our communities and our ecosystems are deeply intertwined.

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Get Involved

Whether you are a longtime volunteer or joining for the first time, your participation helps continue a legacy of care that began nearly four decades ago.

Come plant. Come learn. Come remember.

And help build a more resilient, inclusive Texas—one native plant at a time.