Rapid development in north Harris County in the last decade is prompting the addition of parks and trails along Cypress Creek. Since January 2004, 24 parks have been developed along Cypress Creek in addition to 15 pathway projects and 13 land acquisitions. "I find it really encouraging to see the increased interest and recognition that parks and trails bring to the area," said Jim Robertson, chairman of the Cypress Creek Greenway Project. "There's been a tremendous effort all across the Greater Houston area to develop more of these over the last few years." See full PDF of Cypress Creek Greenway growth Park and trail development could continue along Cypress Creek. The CCGP and local municipal utility districts partnering on the Cypress Creek Master Trails Plan received results of the plan in February, which could encourage trail projects along the creek near Hwy. 249 and Louetta Road. The Harris County Commissioners Court has also held preliminary discussions about putting a parks and road bond referendum on the ballot in November that could fund projects in the area. "[Precinct 4] Commissioner [Jack] Cagle says that discussions about a potential bond this year are in the very early stages not only with the full commissioners court, but with the budget office," Precinct 4 Communications Director Mark Seegers said. "The commissioner is in conversations with them to see what kind of numbers could be financed without a tax increase." Robertson attributed much of the interest in parks and trails to a newfound understanding on the part of communities of the benefits parks can provide. "These new communities [such as Bridgeland and The Woodlands] promote their parks and trails," he said. "We're trying to retrofit in these established, more mature areas. I think if we successfully get them retrofitted, we can enhance the desirability [of these communities for] people who live in these areas." Although many projects were built or acquired independently of the organization in the last decade, the Greenway Project has helped coordinate many park and trail developments, Robertson said. A committee of the Cypress Creek Flood Control District, Robertson said the goal of the CCGP is to advocate for trails and parks along Cypress Creek and coordinate with partners on those projects. In an unincorporated area with two precincts and 47 utility districts, Robertson said partnerships are key, citing relationships with Precincts 3 and 4, Harris County Flood Control District and Bayou Land Conservancy as well as the MUDs. Even with all the partners working together to fund parks and trails along the creek, Robertson said funding projects can be difficult. MUDs can fund them through general funds, partnerships with the city of Houston or park bonds, thanks to legislation passed in 2005 that allows utility districts to take on debt to fund parks and trails. MUDs can also seek grants through partners like the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Seegers praised how motivated and organized park partners have been along Cypress Creek. "Wherever [Precinct 4] partner[s] with them, we can share their enthusiasm," Seegers said. "Of course, it's always tempered by funding and budgets."
Master trails plan
The CCGP partnered with five local MUDs and other local partners more than a year ago to develop a master trails plan near Cypress Creek and Hwy. 249. The partners hired Houston-based consulting firm EHRA, which developed a trails plan for the area that would connect the communities within the 13.5-square-mile region to Cypress Creek and other local amenities. "The benefits for the study area [are] most of the folks that live there are already using these trails; they're just not formalized trails," said Katie Golzarri, department manger of landscape architecture for EHRA. "They're looking to connect to Vintage Park, Lone Star [College-University Park], [the Hewlett Packard campus], and locations they may already travel to from a pedestrian standpoint." EHRA completed its final plan recommendations in February, featuring more than 60 linear miles of pathways that would cost more than $21 million to construct. The plan outlines specific pathways for the five MUDs that partnered on the plan: Lake Forest Utility District, Prestonwood Forest Utility District, Malcomson Road Utility District and Harris County MUDs No. 286 and No. 468."I find it really encouraging to see the increased interest and recognition that parks and trails bring to the area. There's been a tremendous effort all across the Greater Houston area to develop more of these over the last few years." - Jim Robertson, chairman of the Cypress Creek Greenway ProjectThe plan features recommendations for major trail corridors that would follow Cypress Creek, Faulkey and Pillot gulleys as well as minor connecting trails, sidewalks and bike paths. An older subdivision with little available land, Prestonwood Forest's plan includes mostly bike lanes and sidewalks. Meanwhile, MUD No. 468—which includes The Vintage—could feature sidewalks along many of the streets. Major trail corridors could also run through and between the two MUDs. Golzarri said several developers in The Vintage have shown interest in the project and could act as possible funding sources. "[Developers] were really excited because they can see the economic benefit for bringing folks in," she said. Although the MUDs could fund many of the improvements within their districts, other avenues may need to be considered for funding many of the paths, such as grants and other partnerships. Also, as much as 50 percent of the major trails along Cypress Creek are not located within one of the five partnering districts. Precinct 4 Parks Administrator Dennis Johnston said the MUDs will be critical to funding minor trails, but Harris County might help fund some of the major trails. "If you're talking about Harris County being a partner in the spokes of the wheels, no," Johnston said. "If you're talking about Harris County being [a partner for] the trunk line and the hub, then yes."
