Cypress Edition | January 2026

Park improvements in Cypress take ight From the cover

The update

outdoor recreation has grown in popularity in the region over the last ve years—a trend she expects to continue. “A robust parks and trails system provides places to play, to exercise and simply to take a mental break by immersing ourselves in nature,” Briggs said. “Parks provide places to gather and foster a sense of community.” Additionally, she said investment in parks plays an important role in boosting economic growth, as businesses choose to locate in areas with well-managed green space because it’s easier to attract employees.

In 2025, two projects were completed at Russ Poppe Park in Cypress: new pickleball courts opened to the public and more than 270 trees of various species were planted to halt erosion. The North Houston Association—made up of more than 150 regional businesses—advocates for the establishment of green space, parks and trails as part of its mission, NHA President Marlisa Briggs said. Briggs said the association received regular updates from Ramsey’s team about progress on the master plan. The NHA’s areas of focus include mobility, water supply and drainage, the environment, and local development trends, per its website. Briggs said

New trail connections and park amenities are rolling out across Harris County Precinct 3, including in the Cypress-Fairbanks area, more than two years after the Parks and Trails Master Plan was initially outlined. Ocials with Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s oce said several projects have been completed since 2023, with additional trail links and park enhancements scheduled to continue through 2026 and beyond. According to a statement from Ramsey’s oce, “The goal of the plan was to outline a long-term, 30+ year plan for the parks so it was intended to be done in smaller pieces.”

Completed projects Harris County Precinct 3 has completed at least six projects since unveiling the 2023 Parks and Trails Master Plan.

1 Elizabeth Kaiser Meyer Park Half a mile of the Gourley Nature Trail was reconstructed. New pickleball courts were added. 2 Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve A new playground, boardwalk and south trail connections were added. A new parking lot was completed.

4 Dennis Johnston Park Butter y Garden received erosion improvements, while fresh gravel and pollinator-friendly owers were added. 5 Judge Ted Poe Community Center The 8,500-square-foot center was remodeled and renamed. 6 I.T. May Park New pickleball courts were added.

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3 Russ Poppe Family Park New pickleball courts were added.

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Projects were assigned prioritization based on time frame—short being within the next 10 years, medium within 10-20 years, and long-term taking 20 years or more.

Cypress service area park master plan recommendations

Name of park

Renovation recommendations

Natural enhancements

New facilities

A.D. Dyess Park

Improve drainage at baseball elds and throughout the park. Renovate restrooms, replace site furnishings. Pave aireld parking lot. (priority mainly short, medium for parking lots) Replace damaged picnic tables and re-stripe parking lot (priority short)

Increase tree canopy (priority short)

Develop more soccer, football and multi-sports elds on the west side of the park. Add parking and playground on north side of park (priority mainly long) Expand nature trail system. Add o-road biking paths within forested area of the park and shing piers (priority mainly medium) Add shade structures and restrooms for Boy Scouts. Add equestrian trails, trailer parking and multi-use trails (priority medium)

Cypress Park

Add reforestation planting (priority short)

Fritsche Park

N/A

Harris County Deputy Darren GoForth Dog Park Little Cypress Creek Preserve

Replace damaged picnic tables and re-stripe parking lot (priority short)

Plant additional shade trees. Protect trees in dog park areas. (priority short)

Add shing piers (priority medium)

Convert parking lot to asphalt, add signage (priority medium for parking lot, short for signage)

Add boardwalks to wetland areas, add more nature trails, enhance/restore native planting (priority long) Increase tree canopy (priority short) Improve access to existing wetlands. Improve nature trails. Add additional information signs. (priority medium)

N/A

Matzke Park

Overlay and re-stripe parking lots. Improve drainage (priority short for drainage, medium for parking lots)

N/A

Russ Poppe Family Park

Improve nature trails and park drainage (priority short)

Add disc golf, adventure course or outdoor gym. Provide nature trails and boardwalk at ponds. (priority mostly medium)

NOTE: THIS LIST IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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