Connecting communities From the cover
future trail to one further downstream from Bualo Bayou Speedway to connect to Hermann Park. Rondot said the ultimate goal is to create a continuous trail system that people will be able to use all the way from Gessner Road to the Texas Medical Center and nearby Hermann Park. The project scope includes about 10 miles of new trails and underpasses, he said. “It’s amazing the connectivity this is going to bring to the neighborhoods and give people expanded options for getting around,” White said. “And then the other really wonderful thing to celebrate is that we’re going to maintain them. The community can be assured that the quality and standard of care are not going to change.” The majority of projects along Brays Bayou that were not completed in 2025 are slated to start construction in 2026 or 2027.
game changer in terms of safety and experience for people who use the trail.” Trent Rondot, conservation and maintenance director for the Houston Parks Board, said the new undercrossings will keep residents from crossing streets like South Rice Avenue, Hillcroft Avenue and Braeswood Boulevard, as well as four other streets. “That’s seven streets that people don’t have to worry about crossing,” he said. “And it actually ties in really well with other projects that we’re doing downstream towards the [Texas] Med Center to create even more trails and underpasses.” Looking ahead, HPB o cials are currently out to bid on a project that will create a new lower shelf trail from South Rice Avenue to Stella Link Road that will include a pedestrian bridge over Willow Waterhole Bayou and eventually connect to the TMC. Another project is also expected to link from that
The full story
The Houston Parks Board and its partnering organizations completed several projects in the Meyerland neighborhood in 2025 to increase accessibility to nearby amenities. The rst set of projects created a 4.4-mile system that runs from Loop 610 to South Gessner Road and provided a 1-mile, 10-foot-wide hike-and-bike trail, seven new underpasses and replaced an existing asphalt trail. “It’s amazing when you think about what this is going to add to the community,” said Beth White, former CEO of the Houston Parks Board. “It’s not a lot of miles in the grand scheme of things, but getting those bridge underpasses in there is a
Brays Bayou Greenway Trail projects Expansion of the trail includes adding miles of hike-and-bike trails, new underpasses and amenities in the Meyerland area and beyond to connect communities, reduce ooding and provide accessibility.
1 New lower trail Nearly 3 miles of new trails were added to the lower shelf on the south side of Brays Bayou. It crosses under eight streets and has multiple connections up to street level. • Scope: Cambridge Street to Buffalo Speedway • Timeline: construction completed in fall 2025 • Funding source: city of Houston
2 New lower trail undercrossings
3 New upper trail & memorial plaza
This project added 1.4 miles of new trails on the lower south side of the bayou and four new underpasses. • Scope: Underpasses are at A South Rice Avenue, B Chimney Rock Road, C Hillcroft Avenue and D North and South Braeswood Boulevard. • Timeline: construction completed in fall 2025 • Funding sources: city of Houston, Harris County Precinct 4
This project added a mile of new trails on the north side of the bayou, which connects to the Atwell Pedestrian Bridge and includes a new memorial plaza dedicated to Capt. Gary Herod with seating, benches, picnic tables and a drinking fountain. • Scope: Chimney Rock Road to Hillcroft Avenue • Timeline: construction completed in fall 2025 • Funding sources: Harris County Precinct 4, city of Houston, community donations
Completed projects Upcoming projects
SOURCE: HOUSTON PARKS BOARD COMMUNITY IMPACT
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4 New lower trail & pedestrian bridge
5 West Loop Transit Center A connection from the Brays Bayou Trail to the METRO West Loop Transit Center will be created to improve access to mass transit sites. • Scope: from Brays Bayou Trail to the transit center • Timeline: construction to start in spring 2026 • Funding source: city of Houston
6 Trail replacement & new undercrossings Nearly 2 miles of new trails and three new underpasses will be added on the south side of the bayou east of Gessner Road. • Scope: New underpasses are at A Fondren Road, B Braes Bayou Drive and C Bissonnet Street. • Timeline: construction to start in 2026 or 2027 • Funding sources: Harris County Precinct 4, city of Houston
7 New trail Over 2 miles of new trails will be added to the neighborhood, as well as a pedestrian bridge across Brays Bayou east of I-69 and three new underpasses. • Scope: Braeburn Glen to Beltway 8, with underpasses at I-69, Beechnut Street and Beltway 8 • Timeline: under construction until spring 2026 • Funding sources: Harris County Precincts 3 and 4, city of Houston
This project includes creating 1.6 miles of new trails and a pedestrian bridge between Stella Link Road and South Rice Avenue across the Willow Waterhole Bayou. Underpasses are at the West Loop and the Union Paci c railroad bridge. • Scope: Stella Link Road to South Rice Avenue • Timeline: construction to start in early 2026 • Funding source: city of Houston
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