Security issues • Attaining widespread participation • Land ownership complexity – i.e. large number of individual tracts adjacent to creek • Funding • Security issues

1. Cypress Creek
Greenway Project
Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition

2. Presentation Outline
• Background and Watershed Overview
• The Vision
• Why Develop the Cypress Creek Greenway?
• Roles of the Cypress Creek Greenway Committee
• Partners in the Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Challenges
• What exists and what is being planned?
• What can you do to participate?

3. Presentation Outline
• Background and Watershed Overview
• The Vision
• Why Develop the Cypress Creek Greenway?
• Roles of the Cypress Creek Greenway Committee
• Partners in the Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Challenges
• What exists and what is being planned?
• What can you do to participate?

4. Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition…
In collaboration with government and the
MISSION private sector, pursue unified, proactive
resolutions to flooding within the Cypress
Creek Watershed consistent with the following
objectives:

5. Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition…
In collaboration with government and the
MISSION private sector, pursue unified, proactive
resolutions to flooding within the Cypress
Creek Watershed consistent with the following
objectives:
• Flooding: Improve flood prevention measures
implemented in advance of urban development
on a cost-effective basis.

6. Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition…
In collaboration with government and the
MISSION private sector, pursue unified, proactive
resolutions to flooding within the Cypress
Creek Watershed consistent with the following
objectives:
• Flooding: Improve flood prevention measures
implemented in advance of urban development
on a cost-effective basis.
• Preservation: Promote park, recreational,
and wildlife habitant development consistent
with preservation of the watershed’s natural
environment.

7. Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition…
In collaboration with government and the
MISSION private sector, pursue unified, proactive
resolutions to flooding within the Cypress
Creek Watershed consistent with the following
objectives:
• Flooding: Improve flood prevention measures
implemented in advance of urban development
on a cost-effective basis.
• Preservation: Promote park, recreational,
and wildlife habitant development consistent
with preservation of the watershed’s natural
environment.
• Education: Improve communication links
between the government and private sectors on
matters concerning the Coalition’s Watershed
mission and objectives.

8. Harris County’s Watersheds and Channels

9. Facts About the Cypress Creek Watershed
• Located in northwestern Harris County, and extends into
eastern Waller County.
• The largest of 22 watersheds in Harris County; contains
323 square miles
• Includes two primary streams – Cypress Creek and
• Little Cypress Creek - and 8 major tributaries

10. Cypress Creek Watershed Land Cover

11. Presentation Outline
• Background and Watershed Overview
• The Vision
• Why Develop the Cypress Creek Greenway?
• Roles of the Cypress Creek Greenway Committee
• Partners in the Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Challenges
• What exists and what is being planned?
• What can you do to participate?

12. Cypress Creek Greenway Project…THE VISION
• Create a continuous linear greenbelt along Cypress Creek and
Little Cypress Creek, stretching from west of US 290 to the east
where it connects with the Spring Creek Greenway
• Use the Greenway to connect a series of existing and future
anchor parks
• Develop a pass-through trail system along the entire length of
the Greenway that would link to other trails in the Greenway
parks and local communities

13. Cypress Creek Greenway Project…
The proposed Greenway will preserve
a natural corridor along Cypress Creek
and its major tributaries that will:
• Reduce flooding along Cypress Creek
• Provide recreational opportunities
• Preserve the existing natural habitat
• Develop awareness of the cultural and
historical significance of Cypress Creek

14. Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Mix of passive and active recreational opportunities
• Combination of county/precinct parks, HCFCD tracts,
and MUD parks
• Parking and trail access points at parks

15. Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Variety of park types determined by needs
and the “individual park geography”:
- Undeveloped natural areas or preserves
- Active sports areas (ball fields, playgrounds,
restrooms)
- Off-road cycling areas with trails
- Educational facilities
- Preserved wetlands and ponds, wet
detention ponds
- Identified future park sites

16. Presentation Outline
• Background and Watershed Overview
• The Vision
• Why Develop the Cypress Creek Greenway?
• Roles of the Cypress Creek Greenway Committee
• Partners in the Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Challenges
• What exists and what is being planned?
• What can you do to participate?

17. Why Develop the Cypress Creek Greenway?
• Economic Benefits
− Trails and parks currently the number one amenity desired by residents
− Increased home values near parks and trails
− Invigorates existing neighborhoods not having park and trail amenities
− Attracts economic development
• Quality of Life Benefits
− Opportunities for fitness and outdoor recreation
− Creates a variety of individual, family, and group recreational options
− Creates a sense of community
• Park systems recognized as essential part of our communities
by Texas State Legislature
• Will connect to larger park and trail systems

18. Texas Water Code
Sec. 49.461 – 49.466, including Sec. 49.461(a):
The Legislature finds that:
(1) The provision of parks and recreational facilities is necessary
and desirable for the health and well-being of the people of this state;
and
(2) It is the policy of the state and the purpose of this subchapter to
encourage persons in districts to provide parks and recreational facilities
for their use and benefit.

19. Bayou Greenway Initiative

20. Sam Houston Trail and Wilderness Preserve
Houston Wilderness

21. Presentation Outline
• Background and Watershed Overview
• The Vision
• Why Develop the Cypress Creek Greenway?
• Roles of the Cypress Creek Greenway Committee
• Partners in the Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Challenges
• What exists and what is being planned?
• What can you do to participate?

22. Roles of the Cypress Creek Greenway
Committee of CCFCC
• Develop and provide a vision for the Cypress Creek Greenway
• Serve as an advocate and proponent for the Greenway
• Identify and educate partners about the potential benefits of the
Greenway
• Coordinate and serve as a liaison between and among partners
• Be a resource and knowledge base for Greenway corridor information
• Coordinate with partners outside the Cypress Creek corridor
• Identify acreage tracts suitable for preservation or parks
• Work to develop new anchor parks (Kickerillo Mischer Preserve and
Cypress Park)
• CCGP not purchasing land and building parks and trails

23. Presentation Outline
• Background and Watershed Overview
• The Vision
• Why Develop the Cypress Creek Greenway?
• Roles of the Cypress Creek Greenway Committee
• Partners in the Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Challenges
• What exists and what is being planned?
• What can you do to participate?

24. Partners in the Cypress Creek Greenway Project
•Harris County Pct. 3 and 4 Commissioners and Park Departments
•Harris County Parks Department
•HCFCD
•MUDs (+/- 50 total, met with 30)
•Neighborhood HOA’s and Other Groups
•Developers
•GHORBA (Greater Houston Off Road Biking Association)
•Katy Prairie Conservancy
•Legacy Land Trust
•Quality of Life Coalition/Greater Houston Partnership
•Bayou Preservation Association
•H-GAC (Houston Galveston Area Council)
•Houston Parks Board (and former Park People)
•Houston Wilderness
•Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce
•Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce
•Landscape Architects and Land Use Planners
•Engineering Firms
•Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
•TxDOT
•Houston Audubon Society
•Equestrian Interest Groups
•North Houston Association
•Elected officials

25. Presentation Outline
• Background and Watershed Overview
• The Vision
• Why Develop the Cypress Creek Greenway?
• Roles of the Cypress Creek Greenway Committee
• Partners in the Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Challenges
• What exists and what is being planned?
• What can you do to participate?

26. Challenges
• Attaining widespread participation
• Land ownership complexity – i.e. large number of individual tracts
adjacent to creek
• Funding
• Security issues

27. Challenges
• Attaining widespread participation
− Numerous entities are actively involved and many more are needed
• Land ownership complexity – i.e. large number of individual tracts
adjacent to creek
• Funding
• Security issues

28. Challenges
• Attaining widespread participation
• Land ownership complexity – i.e. large number of individual tracts
adjacent to creek
− HCFCD right-of-way (easement and fee) is a plus
− Deal with ownership issues on a project by project basis
• Funding
• Security issues

29. Challenges
• Attaining widespread participation
• Land ownership complexity – i.e. large number of individual tracts
adjacent to creek
• Funding
− Existing budget − Foundation grants
− Bond elections − Nonprofit participation
− County funds − Creation of partnerships
− TPWD grants for parks and trails − SRTS (Safe Routes to Schools)
− Developer and corporate contributions − Conservation easements
and partnerships
− Corporate grants
• Security issues

30. Challenges
• Attaining widespread participation
• Land ownership complexity – i.e. large number of individual tracts
adjacent to creek
• Funding
• Security issues
− Perception is reality
− “Bad folks” avoid developed and high use areas
− Positive testimonies of those living near greenways
− Creative solutions with security providers
− Parks and trails continue to be built

31. Presentation Outline
• Background and Watershed Overview
• The Vision
• Why Develop the Cypress Creek Greenway?
• Roles of the Cypress Creek Greenway Committee
• Partners in the Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Challenges
• What exists and what is being planned?
• What can you do to participate?

32. Existing Anchor Parks
312 ac
86 ac
91 ac 74 ac
55 ac
91 ac
325 ac
286 ac 852 ac
17,000 ac
111 ac

33. Larger Contiguous HCFCD Tracts
48 ac
30 ac
On Cypress Creek: 68 ac
540 acres total in larger tracts 31 ac
850 acres grand total 56 ac
33 ac
12 ac
56 ac 54 ac 21 ac
83 ac 53 ac

34. Planned Anchor Parks
80 ac
150 ac

35. Kickerillo Mischer Preserve – Planned Anchor Park

36. Kickerillo Mischer Preserve

37. Kickerillo Mischer Preserve – Conceptual Park Plan

38. Kickerillo Mischer Preserve

39. Kickerillo Mischer Preserve

40. Kickerillo Mischer Preserve

41. Kickerillo Mischer Preserve

42. Kickerillo Mischer Preserve

43. Cypress Park – Planned Anchor Park

44. Conceptual Plan for Cypress Park

45. Cypress Creek at Cypress Park

46. Cypress Creek at Cypress Park

47. Cypress Park

48. Meyer and Collins Parks Trails

49. Meyer and Collins Parks Trails
Collins Park
Meyer Park

50. Gourley Nature Trail

51. Gourley Nature Trail

52. Gourley Nature Trail

53. Lake at Meyer Park

54. Gourley Nature Trail

55. Bridgeland
Bridgeland

56. Bridgeland

57. Bridgeland

58. Bridgeland – Cypress Creek Trail

59. Bridgeland – Cypress Creek Trail

60. Towne Lake
Towne Lake

61. Towne Lake

62. Cypress Creek Greenway
NWHC MUD 5
NWHC MUD 10
MUDS 364 & 365

63. NW HC MUD 5 Master Plan

64. Cypress Creek Greenway
Faulkey Gully
Lake Forest UD
MUD 286

65. Lake Forest Utility District

66. Faulkey Gully

67. MUD 286 Park

68. MUD 286 Trails

69. Cypress Creek Greenway
Charterwood
Cypress Forest
PUD
Towne Lake
Cy-Champ PUD
MUD 230

70. Cypress Forest PUD

71. Cypress Creek Greenway
Terra Nova West UD
WCID 110
CNP UD

72. Cypress Creek Greenway
Timber Lane UD
MUD 43

73. Timber Lane Park and Trail Master Plan

74. Presentation Outline
• Background and Watershed Overview
• The Vision
• Why Develop the Cypress Creek Greenway?
• Roles of the Cypress Creek Greenway Committee
• Partners in the Cypress Creek Greenway Project
• Challenges
• What exists and what is being planned?
• What can you do to participate?

75. What Can We Do to Achieve the Vision?
If currently not planning to participate….
−Seek to learn more about the benefits
−Visit completed parks and trails
−Speak to the experts (engineers, legal, Harris County)
−Consider developing a conceptual plan including a preliminary cost estimate
−Be open to pursuing different funding options
−Seek out partnerships
−Learn from those who have already implemented plans

76. What Can We Do to Achieve the Vision?
If already implemented or implementing a plan….
−Seek opportunities to leverage on what you have done
−Be willing to share expertise, experience, and learnings
−Promote to others the benefits of what you have done

77. What Can We Do to Achieve the Vision?
Other:
−Be willing to discuss with, and promote to, elected officials and their staffs
−Consider the long term as well as the short term view
−Call upon CCGP where appropriate
−Recognize the benefits of cumulative efforts

78. Greenway Project
Contact:
Jim Robertson
281-370-8243
JHRVER@aol.com

79. Trail Vision for Lakewood Forest Area

80. Trail Vision for Lakewood Forest Area

81. Trail Vision for Lakewood Forest Area