The 2023 Master Parks and Trails Plan created a long-term vision to expand trail connectivity and upgrade parks. Since its release, officials say several projects have been completed, with additional trail links and park enhancements continuing through 2026.
The big picture
In 2025, the Precinct 3 office completed work to install a new playground and boardwalk at the Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve in Spring. The project also added a new south trail to the preserve, connecting it to the YMCA trail.
The North Houston Association, made up of more than 150 regional businesses, advocates for the creation of green space, parks and trails as part of its mission, NHA President Marlisa Briggs said.
Briggs said outdoor recreation has also grown in popularity in the region over the last five years, a trend she expects to continue.
“A robust parks and trails system provides places to play, to exercise and simply to take a mental break by immersing ourselves in nature,” Briggs said.
Alan Smith is a former board member with the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce and owner of Hasta La Pasta in Spring.
Smith said many of his customers frequent community events at Meyer and Collins parks before stopping by his restaurant. He said he finds the green space a contributor to the area’s quality of life.
“People want to live, work and play, as they say, in areas that have things that are of interest to them, that they find to enhance their lifestyle,” Smith said.
In 2025, Precinct 3 officials also completed installing a new pickleball court at Meyer Park. Smith said outdoor recreation options are great for the public, including seniors who are staying active.
Harris County Precinct 3 has completed six projects across the service area, including:
- Elizabeth Kaiser Meyer Park: Half a mile of the Gourley Nature Trail was reconstructed. New pickleball courts were added.
- Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve: A new playground, boardwalk and south trail connections were added. A new parking lot was completed.
- Russ Poppe Family Park: New pickleball courts were added.
- Dennis Johnston Park: Butterfly Garden received erosion improvements, while fresh gravel and pollinator-friendly flowers were added.
- Judge Ted Poe Community Center: The 8,500-square-foot center was remodeled and renamed.
- I.T. May Park: New pickleball courts were added.
How we got here
The Precinct 3 Parks and Trails Master Plan debuted in 2023 and divided the north Houston area into four service areas: Spring, Cypress, Humble and Crosby. Officials with Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s office said park improvements were needed because population in the area, which spans over 555 square miles, is expected to double by 2045. The population growth will also increase demand for recreational facilities, trails and green space access, officials said.
“Population growth in the north Houston area is a major driver for the master plan,” Precinct 3 officials said in an email. “Planning is required to ensure parks and trails keep pace with that growth.”
When the plan was first released, an estimated cost of all the projects totaled over $758 million and is being funded through a mix of county, state and other partner funds. The total project cost is subject to change as more projects launch.
Spring and Klein have a total of 12 total parks of varying sizes, the smallest being “pocket parks” and the largest being the Spring Creek Greenway. In total, the Spring area has:
- 1 pocket parks
- 2 neighborhood parks
- 1 community parks
- 2 sports complexes
- 4 regional parks
- 2 greenways
Precinct 3 officials said projects in the master plan could also be completed through partnerships with other entities.
“We are consistently looking for partnership opportunities with other agencies,” officials from Ramsey’s office said in an email. “That includes other cities like the city of Houston, [Municipal Utility Districts], developers, etc.”
