Today, Saturday, April 15, 2023, marked a milestone in the recovery of the Lake Houston Area from Hurricane Harvey.
The San Jacinto Greenway, a gorgeous linear park with hike and bike trails, has replaced the Riverview Townhome complex so utterly destroyed by floodwaters in Forest Cove. At exactly 12:16 and 21 seconds, more than a dozen City, County, State, Federal, School Board, Houston Parks Board, Flood Control and Forest Cove officials officially cut a symbolic bright green ribbon to open the first 2.5 mile segment of the new San Jacinto West Fork Greenway.
The event had something for just about everyone:
Speakers who put the event in perspective
Free tacos from El Jimador, a local restaurant on Hamblen Road.
Refreshments
A DJ spinning tunes
The award-winning Riverwood Middle School cheer squad
Shaded picnic tables
Abundant sunshine
It had the feeling of a cross between a small-town festival and a Hallmark movie.
Neighbors greeted old friends. Proud parents showed off babies. Officials up for re-election pressed the flesh. And everyone, it seemed, took selfies with everyone else.
People Refusing to Accept Defeat
An almost audible sigh of relief hung in the air. Today was about people who refused to accept defeat. Who fought together to rebuild their community after 240,000 cubic feet per second swept some entire townhome complexes off their foundations.
Photo of townhome one year after Harvey in 2018. Imagine this times 80.
There were dark days during the seemingly endless buyout phase of the project when everything felt so hopeless. What remained of the townhomes became a magnet for arson, drug dealing, illegal dumping and graffiti.
At times it felt like the blight might never go away. But it did. Beautiful triumphed over bleak. And this morning, despite overnight thunderstorms, not a leaf was out of place and a community stood tall once again.
Award-Winning Riverwood Middle School Cheer TeamCrowd mingling among booths early in the event.HoustonMayor Pro Tem Dave Martin (left) and Humble ISD School Board Member Robert ScarfoBeth White, President & CEO, Houston Parks Board, introduced speakers and explained how the project came to be, including a hefty grant from the Kinder Foundation.No chairs? No problem! Just pull up some pavement.Dr. Tina Petersen, Executive Director of Harris County Flood Control District talked about the buyouts, FEMA, and how this area will remain green in perpetuity.A guided bicycle tour of the trail system attracted families, teens and retirees.Meanwhile, some people decided to explore the new San Jacinto Greenway on their own in the other direction.
Harris County Precinct 3 will reportedly finish pushing the San Jacinto Greenway through to Edgewater Park at US59, but has not announced a timetable yet. More news to follow when that becomes available.
Come to the Forest Cove Community Center this Saturday, April 15, from 11 AM to 1 PM at 1025 Marina Drive to celebrate the newest segment of San Jacinto Bayou Greenway!
RSVP at bit.ly/SanJacBayouGreenway to confirm your attendance. Please share this invitation with your friends, neighbors, and family. The whole community is invited.
11:30 AM: Speakers and Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Martin
12:15 PM: Group bike ride (20-minute roundtrip)
01:00 PM: End
Park along the street and on the tennis courts behind the community center.
Officials in attendance will include:
City of Houston Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Martin, District E
State Representative Charles Cunningham, District 127
Lawrence Bell, Harris County Precinct Three
Dr. Tina Peterson, Director, Harris County Flood Control District
Chris Carroll, Interim Deputy Director, Greenspace Management, H.P.A.R.D.
Matt Tielkemeijer, Vice President, Forest Cove Property Owners Association
Beth White, President & CEO, Houston Parks Board
Project Information
Houston Parks Board started construction of this 2.5-mile Bayou Greenway segment from Woodland Hills Drive to Hamblen Road in January 2021 and completed it in March 2023. The trail does not yet stretch all the way to US59, but it’s getting close.
New off-street trails, as well as the use of existing residential streets for the trail system
Trail connection for Kingwood residents at Woodland Hills Drive to access the Bayou Greenway
Planting of native trees, meadows, and wildflowers
Benches, seating areas and overlooks
Interpretive and directional signage
Trash cans and recycling containers
Recreation Enhancement, Flood-Damage Reduction
This project brings recreational amenities to the Forest Cove/Kingwood area and removes people from repetitive, devastating flooding.
Houston Parks Board
Houston Parks Board partnered with Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) to purchase land and convert it to greenspace. A portion of the greenway goes through the now-demolished Riverview Townhome complex, which HCFCD acquired with a combination of FEMA funding and flood-bond funds.
I interviewed one family that had flooded eight times in five years. Hurricane Harvey dealt the death blow to the once-proud townhomes but it took almost another six years to obtain funding, demolish what remained of them, and build this trail system.
Forest Cove Townhomes waiting for demolition in February of 2022
San Jacinto Bayou Greenway is part of a citywide initiative called Bayou Greenways. Houston Parks Board leads the initiative. Partners include: the City of Houston, its Parks and Recreation Department, and the Harris County Flood Control District.
Bayou Greenways creates a continuous linear park system along Houston’s major waterways, transforms more than 3,000 underutilized acres along the bayous into accessible greenspace, and connects 150 miles of hike-and-bike trails.
Photos Taken on 4/14, Day Before Ribbon Cutting
Below are some photos of the Greenway taken one day before the ribbon cutting as final preparations were underway.
Looking west from Forest Cove Pool toward the UP railroad bridge over the San Jacinto West Fork. New trail snakes from middle left along river.Still looking east toward railroad bridge at point where trail turns north toward Hamblen Road at Burning Tree Court.Looking SE toward Forest Cove baseball fields along Forest Cove Drive.Another view looking SE along Forest Cove Drive. where trail winds near one of many river inlets.Looking back NW toward Forest Cove Community Center.Hike and bike paths are concrete and wide enough to easily accommodate traffic in both directions.
Entrance to the segment that connects to the Kingwood trail system at the east end of Hamblen road. Shaded rest stops with benches dot the entire Greenway.
Hope to see you at the ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow. Don’t forget to RSVP. It will help them plan quantities for the free food. Bring the family, your bikes, and your helmets. The transformation in this area from Harvey to today is remarkable to see! It’s beautiful again!
Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has set the demolition dates for two of the three remaining Forest Cove Townhome complexes. The two farthest from the river will be torn down on 7/5/22 and 7/14/22. See image below.
On 6/17/22, HCFCD also deposited the check for the buyout of the last unit in the last complex. So, according to HCFCD spokesperson, Amy Stone, “The final demolition should be scheduled soon!”
Demolition dates for the three remaining Forest Cove Townhome complexes.San Jacinto West Fork at top of frame. Forest Cove Community Center and swimming pool on right.
Reason for Delays
Buying out close to 100 units destroyed by Harvey has been a tortuous and time-consuming process. Several of the owners, unable to live in the townhomes, reportedly walked away from their properties, leaving them in limbo. In the process, they created a blight on the community that became a magnet for drug dealing, illegal dumping, vandalism, arson, and graffiti.
I talked to an angry Forest Cove resident this morning who can’t wait for the last remaining units to be demolished.
Photos Taken on 6/18/22
Here are some photos taken this morning from ground and air showing the condition of the last units still standing.
Two complexes scheduled for demolition on 7/5 and 7/14.Same complexes from the ground.Last complex, not yet scheduled for demolitionSame complex from ground level.
Back to Green Space
HCFCD usually lets such buyout areas return to green space and has announced its intention to do the same here. However, it’s not yet clear exactly what that means. Flood Control has not yet responded to a request for specific plans.
Nevertheless, the Houston Parks Board has already begun a trail along the West Fork. It currently reaches from the Kingwood trail system at River Grove Park to Marina Drive in Forest Cove, shown below. It now terminates behind the two complexes already scheduled for demolition in July.
Terminus of Houston Parks Board San Jacinto Greenway at Marina Drive, approximately 2.6 miles from River Grove Park as the crow flies.
Planned route of trail connecting Woodland Hills Drive to 59 and Spring Creek Trail.Green = completed. Purple = planned.
Someday soon, this area could become a huge asset to the Kingwood/Forest Cove/Lakewood Cove community again.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/18/22
1754 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/20220618-RJR_9535.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2022-06-18 12:34:142022-06-18 12:49:50Demolition Dates Set for Forest Cove Townhomes
The Houston Parks Board announced Tuesday that it will begin construction of the San Jacinto Bayou Greenway along the West Fork of the San Jacinto. Construction will start “sometime in January.”
Project Scope
“The new 3-mile Bayou Greenway segment will run from Woodland Hills Drive to Ross Road,” said LisaKasianowitz of the Parks Board.
New off-street trails as well as use of existing residential streets for the trail system
Trail connection for Kingwood residents at Woodland Hills Drive to access the greenway trails
Parking for greenway users within the former Riverview Townhomes Community
Planting of native trees, meadows and wildflowers
Benches and seating areas
Interpretive and directional signage
Trash cans and recycling containers
Work Schedule, Precautions
Construction work will take place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. “Crews may work on Saturdays to make up for any weather delays,” said Kasianowitz. “We expect to minimize potential disruptions. But some noise and dust are associated with this project. So we appreciate the community’s patience.”
Construction should conclude in late 2021 to early 2022. The Parks Board urges residents to remain cautious around construction, intersections, and connecting streets. The Board also requests the public not to enter areas surrounded by orange construction fencing.
Maintenance
After construction, the Houston Parks Board will implement its Conservation and Maintenance program. That includes:
Weekday visits from their Conservation and Maintenance team
Weekly trash pickup
Bi-weekly mowing of grass along the trail
Upkeep of the trail and amenities
And any necessary flood cleanup within the greenway.
Future Expansion
In the future, San Jacinto Bayou Greenway will connect into and through Harris County Precinct Four’s Edgewater Park, which is in development. It will also connect to Precinct 4’s Spring Creek and Cypress Creek trail systems.
San Jacinto Bayou Greenway is part of a citywide initiative called Bayou Greenways 2020. For this project, the Houston Parks Board has partnered with the City of Houston, Houston Parks and Recreation, and Harris County Flood Control District.
The Parks Board’s Bayou Greenways 2020 initiative will create a continuous park system along Houston’s major waterways. The program will transform more than 3,000 underutilized acres along the bayous into linear parks. It will also connect 150 miles of hike-and-bike trails.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/6/2021
1126 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-05-at-5.55.30-PM.jpg?fit=900%2C1189&ssl=11189900adminadmin2021-01-06 03:32:442021-01-06 03:35:13Houston Parks Board to Begin Construction of West Fork Greenway This Month
To clear a path for the greenway, the Houston Parks Board has acquired a property along Northshore Drive. It’s west of Sweet Bay Street and south of Hamblen Road (see map below).
Starting March 19, Houston Parks Board will begin demolishing structures on this property.
Schedule
The contractor will be Cherry Demolition. Their trucks will use Hamblen Road and Northshore Drive.
The job will start Thursday, March 19. It will run through Thursday, March 26, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you see heavy equipment in the area, that’s what it is about.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Property-Demolition-Map-for-San-Jacinto-Greenway-Project.jpg?fit=1700%2C2200&ssl=122001700adminadmin2020-03-12 13:28:342020-03-12 13:28:43Houston Parks Board Makes Progress on Greenbelt Project South of Hamblen
