Cypress Creek Greenway: nonprofit's connected parks vision takes shape

The Cypress Creek Greenway Project jointly received a $20,000 grant with the Bayou Preservation Association from the REI sporting goods company. Half will go toward maintaining the Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail and the other half will be used to develop the Cypress Creek Paddling Trail, which covers 10 different MUD sites along the creek from Telge Park to Jones Park.

The work over the past few years has resulted in a nature trail built by Harris County Precinct 4 connecting Collins and Meyer parks, Robertson said, as well as the passage of at least four major bond issues in the last two years to fund other park improvements.

Three new parks have been dedicated over the past year as well. The CNP MUD developed the Lents Family Parks and the Timber Lane MUD created Sandpiper Park. Both are adjacent to the creek, allowing the Greenway to run through them. MUD 230 developed the Mandolin Gardens Park. Its park is a little farther away, but should still be able to connect to the others via the Greenway, Robertson said.

It is the organization's intent for the Greenway to go across northwest Harris County, from Bridgeland to The Woodlands. Robertson envisions it joining with the Katy Nature Preserve in Waller County, expanding the reach of the recreational and educational resources available to area residents along the Greenway.

"It's a long-term project," Robertson said. "I would say it is a 10 or 15 year timeframe. It's a lot of small parts. As funds become available, we are hoping that groups will realize that there is a quality of life benefit to [the Greenway]."