EHRA worked with the District to create a comprehensive Parks Master Plan, which included recommendations for the development of over two miles of hike/bike trails adjacent to local streets, and within flood control and utility pipeline easements. The District began implementation of the Plan by prioritizing the beautification of West Road, a major arterial street that runs through the District.
This project was the second phase of parks implementation outlined in the District's Parks Master Plan, which was completed by EHRA in 2007. Utilizing the site of a recently demolished former wastewater treatment plant provided an opportunity to create a passive park space for District residents.
In 2006, Caldwell Companies sought to create Towne Lake as a community where residents and services could be connected by water. Their vision included boat docks and marinas augmenting traditional walking trails to navigate a vibrant residential community. EHRA was the perfect partner to take Caldwell Companies’ vision and create this livable suburban oasis.
EHRA assisted with the district creation of Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 126 to accommodate a ±329 acre master planned community located in northern Montgomery County in the City of Conroe, south of League Line Road, west of Longmire Road, and adjacent to Lake Conroe.
EHRA planners, hydrologists and landscape architects worked together to propose an alternative use for the space, re-developing the basin into an amenity pond. EHRA carefully selected native plant materials for both their ability to survive in the harsh conditions of the basin as well as providing filtration for improved storm water quality.
Memorial Park, encompassing more than 1500 wooded acres near the southeastern intersection of IH-10 and IH-610 and bounded by Buffalo Bayou on its southern edge, is unique among urban parks in its size, location and quality of natural features. Three major themes developed during the planning process to enhance and restore the park and create a master plan:
Stabilize: Existing erosion will be stabilized to limit further damage and the forest will be further evaluated in detail to determine the best long term strategy for forest management to reduce exotic invasive species and ensure a healthy, diverse biological community.
Connect: The Park will be more accessible and better connected by an extended comprehensive trail system and other access improvements that reach beyond the Park. In addition to physical connections, expanded and extended educational programs throughout the park will help to secure the park for future generations by creating a better informed park constituency.
Restore: Areas that are vacated, such as parts of the Maintenance facility and stable areas, and other major areas of the park will be restored and enhanced by actively managing the forest, by reducing erosion, and by managing recreational use.
The Master Plan consists of recommendations for each of several major topics as identified during extensive investigation of the park’s historic and existing conditions. These topics are the basis for the goals and actions in the plan. It is one of the largest and most visionary urban parks projects currently underway in the United States.:
The plan, which was adopted in 2015 is underway as this is written. If you haven't visited the park in a while, it's worth a look as many aspects of the plan have been executed with many more to come!
