New trail openings along Greens, Hunting, and Sims Bayou Greenways

Communities can enjoy new hike-and-bike trails as part of Bayou Greenways 2020

HOUSTON, TX – May 15, 2019 – Houston Parks Board and Houston Parks and Recreation Department are pleased to announce several new completions along Greens, Hunting, and Sims Bayou Greenways as part of the Bayou Greenways 2020 project.

Greens Bayou Greenway: Strickland Park to Maxey Park

In June 2018, construction began on a new 1.4-mile segment of Greens Bayou Greenway to connect Strickland Park to Maxey Park. The new linear park includes the addition of a 10-foot wide concrete multi-use trail. Notable new features are improvements to both Maxey and Strickland Parks, a connection into the nearby METRO Park and Ride, and a mid-block crossing on Woodforest Boulevard.

Improvements to Maxey Park include a new seating area, signage, additional trees and a unique eagle-themed gateway at the trail entrance to the park from the parking lot. Improvements to Strickland Park include new parking spaces, signage, landscaping, a canoe/kayak launch and seating area, as well as a bobcat-themed gateway at the trail entrance to the park.

Clark Condon Associates and Huitt-Zollars designed the greenway, contractor R Miranda Trucking built the project, and RPS managed the construction. The cost of this newest segment was $2.4 million.

Hunting Bayou Greenway: Falls Street to Cavalcade Street (Mickey Leland Memorial Park)

In July 2018, construction began on a new half-mile segment of Hunting Bayou Greenway connecting Falls Street to Cavalcade (Mickey Leland Memorial Park). The development of the linear greenway park includes the replacement of an asphalt trail with a new 10-foot wide multi-use concrete trail. The trail replacement extends north along West Hunting Street and amenities include pocket parks, landscaping, benches, signage, trash and recycling receptacles in addition to native landscaping and tree plantings. A new bike/pedestrian bridge with overlook plazas connects to the existing Hunting Bayou Greenway.

Gateways along this segment include the Pine Tree Trailhead at Mickey Leland Park and the Oak Hill Pocket Park near the new bridge.

Halff Associates designed the greenway, contractor Jerdon Enterprise built the project, and Huitt-Zollars managed the construction. The cost of this newest segment was $1.7 million.

Sims Bayou Greenway: Old Galveston to Milby Park

In July 2018, construction began on a new 1.2-mile segment of Sims Bayou Greenway connecting Milby Park to Sims Bayou at Galveston Road. The new Bayou Greenway begins in Milby Park connecting to a previously completed portion of the Sims Bayou Greenway within the park and extends along Central Street and Galveston Road to the completed portion of the Sims Bayou Greenway that extends along Sims Bayou from Galveston Road to Deeda Street adjacent to the new Houston Botanic Garden.

The highlight of this segment is an alley of mature Live Oak trees along Galveston Road, which provide shade along the trail. A donation of thirty-seven Live Oaks were planted so that the trees continue farther down the trail.  Gateways including enhanced landscaping, plazas, seating, signage and trash/recycling receptacles have been constructed at the intersection of Galveston Road and Central Street and along Galveston Road at Sims Bayou.

Huitt-Zollars and Clark Condon Associates designed the greenway, contractor Main Lane Industries built the project, and PMG managed the construction. The cost of this newest segment was $3 million.

“We are excited to share that the newest completions along Green, Hunting, and Sims Bayou Greenways are now open and accessible to the public,” said Beth White, President and CEO of Houston Parks Board. “We believe firmly in the power of greenspace and connecting communities across Houston, and are proud to partner with Houston Parks and Recreation Department to create new parks for everyone.”

“Thanks to the Houston Parks Board, these new connections provide more opportunities for citizens to get up, get out, and get active in Houston Parks,” said Steve Wright, Director Houston Parks and Recreation Department.

All completions are part of Bayou Greenways 2020, a public-private partnership between the nonprofit Houston Parks Board, the City of Houston and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. The initiative is implemented in close collaboration with the Harris County Flood Control District, which manages the county’s bayous and creeks for drainage and flood risk reduction. Bayou Greenways 2020 will transform 3,000 acres of underutilized land along nine major waterways and create a 150-mile network of connected parks and trails along Houston’s major waterways.

In 2012, thanks in part to the “Parks By You!” campaign, Houston voters overwhelmingly approved a bond proposal that set aside $100 million for Bayou Greenways 2020. Houston Parks Board is raising an additional $120 million and is managing acquisition, design and construction of the Bayou Greenways. More than $107 million has been raised to date, including a historic $50 million donation from the Kinder Foundation.

Photos courtesy of Houston Parks Board.