Master Plan and Major Projects

FWP considers project opportunities to complete either as our own organization or, more often, in partnership or led by with others such as the City of Houston, the Houston Parks Board, or TIRZ5. FWP works with the City of Houston on all projects we sponsor, to insure that projects meet city expectations for safety and durability, as well as have an enduring maintenance plan with funding.

WOODLAND PARK Master Plan AND

Woodland to Moody Park Trail Connectivity STUDY

  • TIMING: TO BE DETERMINED

  • PRoJECT STATUS: FRAMEWORK PLAN COMPLETE

  • CITY APPROVAL: NOT YET STARTED

  • FUNDING: 0% COMPLETE

  • BOARD LEAD: KELLI FEREDAY

    In 2015, TIRZ5 and the Houston Parks Board commissioned SWA Group to complete a Trail Connectivity Study and Framework Plan for the park. This plan is a “jumping-off point” for envisioning and finalizing the priority of projects within the park.

    Within Woodland Park itself, the Framework plan includes more defined areas such as a “Great Lawn”, exercise loop, and bayou overlooks along with improved ADA accessibility, improved park entrances with appropriate plantings and seating areas, and aesthetic/comfort improvements to the basketball and tennis courts.

    The trail along Little White Oak Bayou is a natural connection between Woodland Park and Moody Park, a hike we lead every year in late winter for FWP members and others. Passing through virtually untouched sections prairie and sand-bottom springs, it’s hard to believe that you are in the middle of one of the largest cities in the US. Yet, turn the corner and you see trees and banks covered in trash, herons perching on tires, and abandoned public housing.

    Connecting these parks doesn’t only mean reclaiming a beautiful natural space; it also means re-connecting out communities. Woodland Park is the critical link in the greenspace chain connecting Stude Park, White Oak Park, and Freed Park with Moody Park.

    More details will be shared in 2023 as the FWP considers a renewed vision for this project.

birdwalk.JPG

birdwalk

  • TIMING: TO BE DETERMINED

  • PRoJECT STATUS: SCOPING

  • CITY APPROVAL: NOT YET STARTED

  • FUNDING: 0% COMPLETE

  • BOARD LEAD: Kelli Fereday

Let’s open the riparian forest experience to all! Over 160 bird species have been identified in the park, but very few visitors are even aware of the bayou and riparian forests supporting vast flora and fauna - and just a few steps from the tennis courts. This project envisions an engineered and ADA-accessible boardwalk and bayou overlook on the north-west corner of the bayou natural area (entrance near the existing tennis courts). The Birdwalk project requires major project donors to ensure that the walkway is sustainable through flooding episodes and sensitive to the natural space.

Engineered Trash Management Solution

  • TIMING: TO BE DETERMINED

  • PRoJECT STATUS: Options Scoping Study Complete

  • CITY APPROVAL: NOT YET STARTED

  • FUNDING: 0% COMPLETE

  • BOARD LEAD: TBD

We all know that the extensive pollution problem in Little White Oak Bayou does not originate from Woodland Park; it flows down into the park carrying literal tons of waste from upstream. An engineered trash handling system along with a regular disposal and maintenance plan is required to mitigate the negative human impacts on this fragile eco-system. You can view the 2015 Bridgestone Scoping Study for Trash Management Options here.

Playground Refurbishment

TIMING: TO BE DETERMINED

  • PRoJECT STATUS: Scoping

  • CITY APPROVAL: NOT YET STARTED

  • FUNDING: 0% COMPLETE

  • BOARD LEAD: AMANDA BROWN

While the Woodland Park Playground provides plenty of fun for children nearly every day of the year, it is showing signs of wear and tear and is ready for replacement. FWP will work with the City of Houston to determine the timeline for replacement by the city, and seek to influence the design to be representative of the park’s natural setting, Additional funding may be required to achieve the community’s vision.