The Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve will undergo an estimated $1.2 million construction project set to break ground in September, according to Dennis Johnston, Harris County Precinct 4 parks director.

Two undercrossings will be built on the north and south side of Cypress Creek and Hwy. 249, which will be concrete trails for pedestrian use, he said. The north trail will connect the preserve to the SpringHill Suites hotel on the west side of Hwy. 249, and the south trail will link the pond behind the YMCA east to the park next to Willie’s Grill & Ice House. Construction is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2022, Johnston said.

This project is a piece of a larger project intended to increase connectivity. Johnston said subsequent phases of construction will include extending the trail over to the bridge next to the Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve office, located at 9860 Cypresswood Drive, Houston, on the south side and eventually west to Faulkey Gully on the north side of Cypress Creek.

The project's overall goal is to create a loop trail that will go from the 100 Acre Wood Preserve to the pond at the YMCA, to the bridge under the south side of Cypress Creek and over Cypress Creek at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve, he said. The loop will go through Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve on the north side of Cypress Creek heading west and eventually linking to Lone Star College-University Park, over to Faulkey Gully and back south across Cypress Creek at Jones Road.

“Tens of thousands of residents will eventually benefit in this area by having connectivity to parks, trails, offices, schools, businesses, shopping and restaurants,” he said.