HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS, HOUSTON PARKS BOARD MOVE FORWARD ON $28.3 MILLION NEW REGIONAL PARK: HILL AT SIMS
HOUSTON CHRONICLE, FEBRUARY 3, 2024: ELLIS SHEPHERDS PROJECT CREATING GREEN SPACE, TRAILS IN SUNNYSIDE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY
Harris County Precinct One is working to transform the Hill at Sims, a 100-acre regional detention basin, into a public park. Houston Parks Board is leading the study on behalf of Precinct One. Harris County Flood Control District owns the basin and the adjacent 150-acre property along Scott Street. Together, these properties have the potential to form a new regional park within the Sunnyside/South Acres/Crestmont Park area of Houston.
The site is adjacent to Sims Bayou Greenway, which, on completion, will stretch nearly 20 miles from Blue Ridge County Park to Milby Park. It is also within walking distance of multiple schools, parks, churches, and homes.
Precinct One and Houston Parks Board received feedback on the draft planning study, which has now been finalized and can be found at the links below. Scroll down for current project information and upcoming community outreach.
Hill at Sims Study – Executive Summary
Hill at Sims Study – Executive Summary – Spanish
PHASING
HILLTOP & BASIN TRAILS
- Improvements to the Hill (includes hilltop pavilion, concrete walks and nature paths, overlook/gateway points, and hill security barriers)
- 1.6 mile basin loop trail
- Nature trails
- Water access pier
- Parking
SCOTT STREET GREENWAY
- 1.5 mile trail along Scott Street from Swingle Road to South Acres Drive
NATURE CENTER PAVILION
- Nature center pavilion with restrooms
- Flexible lawn space for active programming
- Picnic pavilions
- Plantings
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
- Harris County Precinct One is funding the design and construction of a new pedestrian/bicycle bridge across Sims Bayou from Hill at Sims, connecting to Sims Bayou Greenway and Margaret Jenkins Park.
A future phase will include a planning study for the southern portion of the site.
The Hill at Sims is located across Scott Street from Cloverland Park, 3801 Hickock Lane 77074.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
On August 5, 2021, a virtual community meeting was held to provide updates on how community feedback from the March 2021 meeting was incorporated into the project design.
To view a recording of the meeting, click here.
To view the presentation slides, click here.
On March 31, 2021, a virtual community meeting was hosted to gather community input on the project and to share updates on the planning study.
To view a recording of the meeting, click here.
To view the presentation slides, click here.