Realization of the regional Bayou Greenway Initiative took a $2,000,000 step forward last week, with the announcement that the segment of hike and bike trail along Brays Greenway from the ship channel to Old Spanish Trail will now be able to be completed thanks to a transportation enhancement grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) awarded to Houston Parks Board and the City of Houston. This five mile stretch of uninterrupted trail, already underway, is envisioned to be completed in late 2012.
The scenic trail will provide continuous, shared pedestrian and bicycle access between four neighborhood parks, five schools, and numerous commercial and retail centers. New bridges on Forest Hill Blvd. and Telephone Rd., being constructed as part of the Harris County Flood Control District’s Project Brays, will allow trail users to directly connect to five major METRO transit stops, from which they, and their bikes, can travel city-wide without having to rely on a car.
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.), in partnership with the Houston Parks Board 501(c)(3) (H.P.B.), has entered the “Pepsi Refresh Everything” Campaign in hopes of winning a $250,000 grant to kick-up soccer play at Burnett Bayland Park, 6000 Chimney Rock. H.P.A.R.D.’s entry is called “Bright Fields! Bright Futures!” and its goal is to light a 330’ x 210’ soccer field at Burnett Bayland Park. The winner of the $250,000 grant is determined by the total number of votes their project receives from August 1 to August 31.
Supporters are asked to visit http://www.refresheverything.comand vote every day during August for “Bright Fields! Bright Futures!” and support Houston Youth Soccer.
The Houston Parks Board is seeking an Advocacy Manager. Responsibilities include influencing outcomes and decisions related to the allocation of public and private resources, support increasing awareness of the significance of greenspace for the Houston Region, and coordinate activities of the Houston Parks Board’s Advocacy and Outreach Committee. Please see Position Announcement for more details.Position Announcement
This event seeks to initiate important dialogues on Quality of Place Indicators critical for the greater Houston region in the 21st Century. It will educate and inform decision and policy makers, as well as the general public, raising awareness across the board about the state of our region’s quality of place, the progress that has been made, and the issues that still remain.
Likened to a report card’, the study on which the Symposium is based, as well as the event itself, will take place annually to continue the dialogue and address these, as well as other Indicators vital to the region.