Median Madness Volunteers Made a Huge Difference ... Again

10/19/2025 – Yesterday, dozens of volunteers from across Kingwood joined together to make a huge difference in Median Madness Round 3. Young and old, male and female, Republicans and Democrats, they all worked side by side. For the good of their community, they attacked a stretch of Northpark Drive where vines and tree limbs had encroached on the roadway, reducing visibility and interfering with traffic.

An HPD officer described the problems. Drivers trying to cross Northpark had problems seeing oncoming traffic without pulling out into the road. Also, large trucks using the inside lane of Northpark next to the median would often swerve into the other lane to avoid overhanging limbs that would scratch their vehicles. The sudden swerves endangered traffic in the outside lane. But that’s no longer a problem. At least in this area near Woodland Hills Drive.

How Area Looks AFTER Clean Up Effort

Thanks to the volunteers and the help of the City workers who gave up their Saturday morning, visibility has radically improved. So have the aesthetics of Northpark Drive!

*“After” photo taken on Sunday 10/19/25. Note the broad cleared area next to traffic.* *Quite an improvement!*

Team That Made the Difference

*Approximately three dozen volunteers joined members of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, and City Council Members Fred Flickinger and Julian Ramirez (far right) for the effort.*

After a brief orientation, they spread out along Northpark. Some trimmed back vegetation while the others piled up the limbs and vines for disposal. I don’t have the names of all those who participated. But we should all thank them for their efforts.

Team Goes Into Attack Mode

It was a miracle to watch as the pictures below show. Everyone did what needed doing. With a smile. After the orientation, they immediately assaulted the offending limbs and vines with a passion. (See pictures below.)

*Professionals from Houston Parks and Recreation handled work high in the trees with special equipment.*..

…*while the volunteers with lopping shears handled the rest.*

*People just did whatever needed doing.*

*Humble ISD* *board member Elizabeth Shaw (center with long dark hair)*

*No one consistently carried bigger loads than City Council Member Julian Ramirez (At-Large Position #1).*

*There is Ramirez again in the background, hefting another heavy load.*

*Addie Vincent came representing a group called the Greenbelt Guardians. They patrol Kingwood trails to pick up trash, report downed trees and keep trails clear.*

*Council Member Flickinger (center) with Greenbelt Guardians* *Addie Vincent (l) and Blaise Paw*lak (r).

It was gratifying to see the next generation of Kingwood residents taking as much pride as their parents did in keeping Kingwood beautiful.

*Debra Knebel of Hunters Ridge (l) and another happy volunteer.* *Knebel is also a board member of the Bear Branch Trail Association.*

*Houston Parks and Recreation Department employee Janet Curtis* *strikes a happy pose as her debris pile became taller than she is.*

About the Greenbelt Guardians

According to Knebel, the Greenbelt Guardians are students from Kingwood High School, who volunteer to work on greenbelt beautification projects. They clear greenbelts and pick up debris for the various community and trail associations in Kingwood.

The Greenbelt Guardians are available to meet with the community and trail associations to discuss volunteer opportunities.

The leaders of the organization are Broderick Rosello, Blaise Pawlak, and Addie Vincent at Kingwood High School.

Reach out to them if you have time to give. They have an Instagram account: @kw.greenbelt.guardians.

Special Thanks

Thanks to everyone who turned out for Round 3 of Median Madness. You made a huge difference! And you are an inspiration!

Special thanks to Council Member Fred Flickinger for sponsoring the event and to his Deputy Chief of Staff Demari Perez for helping to organize and promote it.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/19/25

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