The Doug McDugald Meditation Garden
A Living Legacy of Reflection and Timeless Gardens
Tucked quietly beneath a canopy of mature crape myrtles on the campus of University of St. Thomas, the Doug McDugald Meditation Garden stands as a lasting tribute to the life, vision, and legacy of McDugald Steele founder Douglas Meredith McDugald.
Originally designed and constructed by the McDugald Steele team in 1986 following Doug McDugald’s passing, the garden was envisioned as a place of quiet reflection and enduring beauty. Today, four decades later, it remains a cherished destination for university students, faculty, visitors, and the Houston community seeking a peaceful retreat grounded in thoughtful garden design. McDugald Steele continues to oversee the ongoing care, preservation, and garden management of the space, ensuring the garden remains true to its original vision while continuing to mature gracefully over time.
In 1991, McDugald Steele was honored with a Merit Award in the Commercial Design/Build category as part of the Environmental Improvement Awards program presented by the Texas Association of Landscape Contractors, now known as the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA), for the work at the University of St. Thomas.
Visit the Garden
The Doug McDugald Meditation Garden is located on the campus of University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas situated along the 3800 block of Yoakum Blvd near Branard St, behind the childhood home of Howard Hughes.
We welcome visitors to discover the garden as a quiet place for reflection, prayer, study, and appreciation of Houston’s mature landscape character. Beneath the canopy trees and within its carefully maintained grounds, the garden remains a lasting expression of beauty, stewardship, and legacy.
In 1975, Douglas “Doug” McDugald founded Douglas McDugald Associates in Houston, Texas, at the time offering landscape design services exclusively. Doug was a native Houstonian and relative of Texas First Lady, Ima Hogg. The firm’s first office operated from the back portion of a home at 100 Avondale St. in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood.
What began as a small, design-focused practice expanded and became known throughout Houston for refined residential gardens, quality craftsmanship, and enduring outdoor environments. The firm’s vision centered on creating gardens that felt timeless rather than trendy. Its philosophy emphasized that gardens should complement architecture naturally, mature gracefully over time, and provide an experience.
Those principles continue to guide McDugald Steele today.