Pearland, TX

Known as a city "where town meets country," Pearland, Texas, is considered to be one of the quickest-growing suburbs in the Greater Houston area. The prevalence of pear trees in the region is what eventually gave the city its name in 1893, after originally being dubbed Mark Belt. The trees were largely destroyed by two hurricanes, one in 1900 and the other in 1915.

City limits signs note that the city has a population of more than 90,000. In 2007 Pearland was ranked the 34th-fastest-growing suburb in the nation, a statistic that may explain why the area has experienced more than 46-percent job growth since 2000.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The city that once had a primarily agriculture-based economy has become a white-collar town. Pearland's largest employers include:

• Pearland Independent School District
• Weatherford Pearland, an oil field equipment manufacturer,
• City of Pearland

Pearland is also the spot for many up-and-coming projects, such as the Pearland Town Center, the Shadow Creek Town Center, the Waterlights District and the University of Houston-Clear Lake branch campus at Pearland.

FOR VISITORS

• Centennial Park: The 46-acre park has well-lit basketball courts, soccer fields, softball fields, a jogging trail, a pond and playgrounds.
• Independence Park: Located at the intersection of Liberty Drive and John Lizer Road, the park is home to tennis courts and basketball courts, soccer fields, a 50-meter pool, barbecue shelter, playground and hiking and biking trails.
• Jamison Recreation Center: The City Parks and Recreation Department manages this center. A basketball court and recreation classes are available to visitors.
• Melvin Knapp Senior Center: Seniors can engage in a number of activities, including bingo, dance classes, card games, arts and crafts, monthly parties and medical-care classes.
• Pearland Community Center: Recreation classes and rental availability are the primary uses for this center.
• Southdown Park: Pearland's newest park, Southdown, is located on the west side of the city. A walking path, an off-leash dog park, sand volleyball courts, playground and fitness stations are all accessible to visitors.

BEST BETS

Top attractions within Pearland include:

• Pitch, Putt, and Play: This center is full of family fun, including a miniature golf course, arcade, batting cages, bumper boats and a moonwalk for small children.
• Froberg Vegetable and Fruit Farm: Located on County Road, this down-home center sells fresh produce, nuts, pecans, cheese, milk and homemade pies.

Many Pearland residents and visitors head into Houston to check out other attractions, such as:

• Museum of Fine Arts Houston: The center includes two museum buildings, in addition to the Alfred C. Glassell School of Art, the Lillie and High Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden, and two decorative arts centers. Exhibits are always changing, but a few permanent collections include African art, American paintings and sculptures and Asian art.
• Space Center Houston: Just outside of the Pearland is this science mecca, including a space center theater, NASA tour, astronaut gallery and the Kids Space Place. School visits, day camps and space school are also available at the center.
• Holocaust Museum Houston: Authentic film footage, photographs, artifacts and documents give visitors a taste for what life was like during the Holocaust. A registry for Texas Holocaust survivors is also available.
• Wings Over Houston Air Show: Each fall, the car dealer Ron Carter presents this popular Houston air show at Ellington Field, which includes fighter jets and army helicopters.

GETTING AROUND

Pearland residents have access to several highways and airports:

• Drivers heading to Houston can take State Highway 288.
• State Highway 35 stretches north and south.
• The privately owned Skyway Manor Airport and Pearland Regional Airport serve the area.
• The Brazoria Country Airport is a public air transport facility.
• William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport offer commercial service out of nearby Houston.

EDUCATION

Pearland is home to Alvin Community College. Nearby universities include San Jacinto College South, University of Houston-Clear Lake and Texas Southern University, all of which are in Houston.

LOCAL MEDIA

Local television stations include:

• KRIV FOX
• KTRK ABC
• KHOU CBS
• KRPC NBC
• KXLN Univision

Local publications include:

• Pearland News
• Journal of Friendswood and Pearland
• Houston Press
• Houston Business Journal