Construction began yesterday on a new 1.35-mile segment of hike and bike trail on White Oak Bayou, the first of 5 planned sections that will more or less formalize the route that some trail users have taken it upon themselves to blaze. Eventually, the $3.4 million that the Bayou Greenways project will spend here will create about 11 miles of off-street passage from Hollister Rd. in Spring Branch to Downtown.
But first things first: This new segment will span Shepherd and Durham and W. 11th St., where, as this rendering from SWA Group shows, that charred MKT railroad trestle will be replaced with a snazzy new one — somewhat to the chagrin of John Nova Lomax, you’ll remember, who’s on the record lamenting the yoga dads and their ilk that that char might have once scared off.
- Previously on Swamplot: Fearing the Yoga Dads the New Heights Hike and Bike Link Will Bring, Off-Trailing with Houston’s Northwest Bike Path Pioneers, Parks By You’s Feel-Good Campaign To Build More Bayou Parks by You, Enormous Plan To Build Bayou-Side Parks: The Movie
Rendering: SWA Group
I approve though I wish the bayou would get re-naturalized in the process.
Anyone know what the schedule on this is and how long the bridge over the bayou will be out of commission as it is replaced?
The current bridge over the bayou hasn’t been in commission for a long time…if you use it now, you are trespassing.
It’s the Crossfit maniacs who really chap my hide. I have made peace with the yoga dads.
Which begs the question…which is worse, yoga dads, or meditating pseudo-journalists?
I’m conflicted.
I am all for the hike/bike trails along our bayous which will be transformed into a park system that will be a great asset and enhance our quality of life. As fas as the rendering – have you EVER seen blue water anywhere in the Houston area and especially not in our bayous…really, blue water?
How is John a pseudo-journalist? I’d rather read the stuff he writes over any of those turds at the Chronicle.
Are they planning on planting some blue bonnets?
Amen, Greg!!!
How exactly is that trespassing? I run with my dog over there all the time and I’ve never seen a sign or any indication that the area isn’t public.
Pave paradise, put up a 10 ft wide asphalt path.
To kjb434: I am pretty sure it is not trespassing. I attended a walk/tour hosted by the Houston Parks Board a few months ago during which we walked the potential trail and across the bridge. I’ve been using the bridge since then. http://houstonparksboard.org/events/a_walking_tour
How precisely are they planning to turn the water blue? That my friends will be a truly amazing feat.
The blue water is funny, but what struck me initially is the number and density of trees the rendering shows.
The left side of the rendering is the North side of the Bayou. There really are a ton of trees there. The other side of the bayou is relatively treeless in comparison.