COMPLETED
Updated 06/06/2020
White Oak Bayou Greenway Bridge west of Moy Street
On May 2, 2015, more than 200 people attended a “Bridge Bash” hosted by Houston Parks Board, Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 5, and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. The event marked the completion of a new hike-and-bike trail and bridge over White Oak Bayou west of May Street that connects to the Heights Hike and Bike Trail. The new bridge replaces the former MKT Railroad Bridge.
White Oak Bayou Greenway from Antoine Drive to Alabonson Road
On July 9, 2015, Houston Parks Board – along with Mayor Parker, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, and others – celebrated the opening of a new 10-foot-wide concrete trail on the westernmost portion of White Oak Bayou Greenway from Antoine Drive to Alabonson Road. This project included a new hike-and-bike bridge ovber White Oak Bayou parallel to Alabonson Road.
The project was funded through a USDOT Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant with local matching funds from various groups.
Oakbrook Greenspace along White Oak Bayou Greenway
On July 23, 2016, Houston Parks Board– along with Council Member Brenda Stardig, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Housing and Community Development Department, General Services Department and others – celebrated the demolition of Oakbrook Apartments, an abandoned apartment complex at the end of De Soto Street along White Oak Bayou.
After the apartment complex was demolished, Houston Parks Board converted the land to greenspace for the purpose of flood mitigation. The space was further enhanced by the installation of native grasses, trees, benches and a bioswale.
Funding for the purchase and demolition of the apartments was made possible by a partnership between the entities mentioned above.
White Oak Bayou Greenway from Studemont Street to Hike-and-Bike Bridge near Moy Street
On December 9, 2016, Houston Parks Board – along with Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 5 and others – celebrated the opening of a new 2-mile segment of White Oak Bayou Greenway from west of Studemont Street to west of Durham Street, near the Moy Street hike-and-bike bridge. Included in the project were connections to Harvard Street, Bonner Street, Patterson Street, Yale Street and Heights Boulevard. Additionally, brick salvaged from the historic Yale Street Bridge was embedded in the new trail between Heights and Yale.
Construction of this segment of greenway was largely funded as a project of the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 5.
White Oak Bayou Greenway from Alabonson Road to Hollister Detention Basin
In January 2018, Houston Parks Board completed construction on a new 10-foot-wide concrete trail from Alabonson Road to the Hollister Detention Basin (corner of Shady Grove Lane and Langfield Road). The trail connects into Woodland Trails Park and neighborhood streets like Hidden Arbor Lane, Woodland Trails Drive, and others.
Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) plans to extend the White Oak Bayou Greenway further into the county. Please contact HCFCD for further information.
White Oak Bayou Greenway to Buffalo Bayou Downtown Trail Connection
In April 2018, Houston Parks Board finished construction on three trail connections near downtown Houston:
- trail connection up to the Leonel Castillo Community Center from the White Oak Bayou Greenway trail on the east side of the bayou,
- trail connection from the White Oak Bayou Greenway trail to the intersection of Main Street and Wood Street, and
- trail connection to the existing lower paved water’s edge near University of Houston-Downtown, creating a continuous, off-street bike and pedestrian connection between White Oak Bayou Greenway and the Buffalo Bayou trails
The project was funded through a USDOT Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant with local matching funds from various groups.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Updated 06/06/2020
Construction is in progress on Bayou Greenways Park, a new park space and trailhead along White Oak Bayou Greenway on Studemont Street. The new park will be built on vacant land purchased by Houston Parks Board, and the new trailhead will be built on land owned by the Texas Department of Transportation.
The purpose of Bayou Greenways Park is to celebrate Bayou Greenways 2020 and recognize the donors that made the project possible.
Improvements include:
- Gateways with custom Bayou Greenways Park signage and program narrative, trailhead signage and wayfinding signage
- Trail connections to the White Oak Bayou Greenway and Heights Hike and Bike Trail
- Architectural features, such as decorative brick pavers and a Bayou Greenways map with sandblasted design of Houston’s bayou system and associated landmarks at the main plaza
- Custom metalwork incorporated in: park and trailhead signage, poetry panels, railings and donor recognition items
- Poetry panels along the lawn perimeter and poetry wall at the main plaza
- Gabion bridge, wooden boardwalk and overlook adjacent to the main plaza
- Donor recognition opportunities, such as donor recognition panels at the gabion bridge and overlook railings as well as metal inscribed medallions
- Seating areas with custom benches and brick-clad seating walls
- White Oak Bayou boardwalk overlook
- Trash cans and recycling bins
- Native tree, wildflower, and bioswale plantings and a new open lawn
- Small, concrete parking lot off Studemont Street complete with wayfinding signage
PLANNING AND DESIGN
Updated 06/06/2020
White Oak Bayou Greenway from west of Studemont Street to Heights Hike-and-Bike Trail
Houston Parks Board is in final permitting for the design of a new 10-foot-wide concrete trail and culvert crossing between Studemont Street and the Heights Hike-and-Bike Trail.
The organization is assisting the City of Houston through the design and permitting of this important trail connection. Once design and permitting is complete, the City of Houston will bid the project and manage the construction process.