A case study looking into the benefits of developing the Cypress Creek Greenway suggests that when it comes to physical, mental, environmental and economic health, there are significant incentives to keep the project moving.

The study—funded by the Houston-Galveston Area Council—studied the impacts of the greenway project in several areas, including recreational use, urban cohesion, connectivity, air quality benefits and flood control.

"The return on investment is actually higher for Cypress Creek compared to other bayous because the area is already developed," said Jen Powis, advocacy director with the Houston Parks Board, at an Aug. 28 presentation on the case study. "There is real value in preserving this land as park land. Access to park land is a big part of quality of life."

The Cypress Creek Greenway initiative involves linking trails along the 40-mile-long Cypress Creek into one continuous trail. The actual project involves creating trails, anchor parks and building bridges to fill in gaps from west of Hwy. 290 to the Jesse H. Jones Park, where it will connect to the Spring Creek Greenway.

The overall cost of completing the greenway is hard to pin down, Powis said. The future of the project is highly subject to change, but the cost of installation averages around $50–$53 million. In a moderate analysis, the return on investment was about $16 million per year.

Advocates for the greenway are reaching out to private and public entities for partnerships. Of the 68 MUDs connected to some portion of Cypress Creek, Powis said 23 have pledged support for the greenway as of Aug. 28. As the taxing entities for crucial pieces of land along the creek, MUD cooperation is necessary to advance the project.