Tucked away in the heart of Spring Branch, beneath the shade of decades-old trees and surrounded by a park, a walking trail, and a soccer pitch, is a place that’s been quietly serving the community for decades: Freed Community Center. If you haven’t been by lately, you might not recognize it. And that’s the point.
In recent months, the community center has undergone a significant transformation. The star of the show these days is the bright, inviting gym which has seen substantial upgrades.
What used to be a hot, fan-cooled room is now air-conditioned and freshly renovated, with new lighting, exposed wood paneling, and space for activities such as dance, badminton, basketball, and more. Ongoing improvements to this space include sound-dampening panels and new flooring.
The center updates are a continuation of Commissioner focus on ensuring that projects in Precinct 4 create healthier spaces, enhance wellness and improve the quality of life for all residents.
A place for the community
Freed has been around since the 1950s. A bronze plaque on the wall commemorates the official dedication in 1961. After Precinct 4 took over the operations and maintenance from the City of Houston at the end of 2023, the center got a much-needed refresh.
The removal of the black wrought-iron gates and barred windows transformed the building from unwelcoming to inviting. The new look proudly sends a statement to is free, and that all are welcome here.
Chris Rincon, assistant manager at Freed, has been — and still is — an instrumental part of this journey.
He summarizes the process in a few simple words: We wanted the community to feel like this place is for them.
On any given day, seniors gather around a table to enjoy a morning chat while caring for a grandchild. In the adjacent rooms, groups are playing pickleball and ping-pong. In the main room, children participate in STEM workshops while their parents drop by for painting classes or to enjoy a free cup of coffee. Outside, in the alley, teenagers seek respite from the summer heat while listening to music.
Programs for all ages
Programs at Freed range from health education and financial literacy to ESL classes, cultural events, hurricane preparedness outreach and holiday workshops, among many other offerings. There’s even a community garden, carefully maintained by neighbors and staff. And this summer, Harris County Precinct 4 and the Houston Food Bank are providing free nutritious meals for children ages 18 and under at Freed’s Kids Cafe to promote healthier communities and habits.
For Chris and the rest of the team, the vision is clear: keep building a space where everyone feels welcome.
“We’re clean, we’re safe, and we’re here to serve,” he says. “This isn’t the time to stay hidden. We want people to know they have support, resources, and a place to belong.”
If you are in the area, please take some time to visit the new-look Freed Community Center. It is here for you to enjoy not only as a recreation center but as a resource hub for emergencies, a polling location, a meeting point to connect with your neighbors, or a place to simply cool off. And it’s only getting better.