A 1974 Philip Johnson and John Burgee design at the south edge of downtown — a 4.3-acre plaza of three contrasting water features carved into terraced concrete: the Active Pool (a deep terraced cascade you can walk down into), the Aerating Pool (sprays in a sunken garden), and the Quiet Pool (a still sheet of water under cypress trees). It is the most distinctive piece of modern landscape architecture in Texas and a refuge from the summer heat downtown.
Visit during daylight; the gardens are still open at night but the lighting is uneven and the Active Pool has had several drowning incidents over the years — signs warn against descending the steps in groups, and you should obey them.