A grand opening for the Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve is set for April 1.[/caption]

The 80-acre Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve will open to the public April 1 with a celebratory event, representing another milestone in the ongoing Cypress Creek Greenway project.

The preserve, located on the east side of Hwy. 249 just south of Chasewood Park Drive, will offer 1.7 miles of paved trail surrounding the 40-acre Marshall Lake. Activities at the grand opening, which runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., include nature presentations, canoeing and pontoon boat rides touring the lake.

The project was developed by Harris County through a partnership with Prestonwood Forest Utility District. Construction began last March, earlier than originally planned thanks to the partnership, county officials said.

“This is the best possible outcome of what can happen when residents, developers, local utility districts, and county government work together,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle said. “We can preserve greenspace and benefit the public. This park is a key piece of the Cypress Creek Greenway that will give residents access to hundreds of acres of land.”

As a part of the agreement, Prestonwood allowed the county to convert its former fire station building into a staff building with a live-in caretaker, saving the county time and approximately $2 million, officials said. The county spent an additional $3.4 million to improve roads, create the hike and bike trail, build restrooms and provide parking.

Cagle said the Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve is a key part of the Cypress Creek Greenway trail system, which connects hundreds of acres of parks along Cypress Creek. Eventually, the park will connect to the Prestonwood Forest community and the 100 Acre Wood Preserve on the opposite side of Hwy. 249. The park also serves as a natural detention facility that can help slow floodwaters and absorb run-off, officials said.

The preserve was donated to Precinct 4 in January 2009 by Kickerillo Companies and Mischer Investments.