The Harris County Precinct 3 parks department has been working with the Harris County Flood Control District to develop and open several new parks for residents to enjoy by the end of 2013.

Work on Maxwell Park—located between 12200–13400 Maxwell Road in Cypress—was complete earlier this year. The park is situated along Little Cypress Creek and features an abundant tree farm with hundreds of trees donated by the Apache Corporation—a global oil and gas company—along with a walking trail and on-site parking.

"This is a small pocket park right on the creek," said Steve Dorman, Precinct 3 parks superintendent. "This is a park that we are keeping in the most natural state as possible. We want to keep it open for wildlife living along the creek."

The HCFCD is finishing construction of a nearly 60-acre detention pond for the future Cypress Creek Park and a 75-acre detention basin to be used by Horsepen Creek Park. Both multi-use parks are expected to be open by the end of the year.

Work is also wrapping up on Cypress Creek Park—a 165-acre park located at N. Eldridge Parkway. and Pine Drive near Cypress Creek. It will feature a jogging trail, playground and exercise equipment and picnic areas, Dorman said. Horsepen Creek Park is under construction at Barker Cypress and West roads and will feature a hike and bike trail around the 190-acre area and a 7-acre dog park divided into sections for small and larger dogs. Other amenities will include a hike and bike trail, playground and exercise equipment, picnic areas restrooms and parking. Several hundred trees will be planted at both parks, Dorman said.

"Both of these [parks] are going to be passive parks," he said. "Meaning there will not be areas for organized sports."

With the parks and detention basins situated along creek beds, area flooding is expected to be minimal once the projects are complete.

"The purpose of the detention pond is to trap water as it moves [downstream] to help minimize flooding," Dorman said. "We have not solved the flooding problem in Houston, but we have addressed quite effectively through these detention basins."

It has become common practice for local precincts to work with flood control entities to establish green space along detention basins in the area. For more than 20 years, Precinct 3 and the HCFCD have worked together to establish several multi-use parks.

"Commissioner Radack saw an opportunity to create effective green space on flood control property that is already owned by the taxpayer," Dorman said. "We take existing taxpayer property in Precinct 3 and develop it, and it makes a great park."