East of downtown, Buffalo Bayou widens and straightens significantly. The steep banks offer spectacular views of the downtown skyline and the area is remarkably quiet since there are no large thoroughfares running along the banks.

The Buffalo Bayou masterplan, Buffalo Bayou and Beyond, calls for trails along the bayou from Shepherd to Lockwood Drive and the Partnership is actively promoting and funding trails in East Houston.

The land along the bayou east of downtown is almost all in private hands today. These private landowners are banding together to give small parcels of the land to the city for hike and bike trails.

As of spring of 2004, almost 4 miles of trails have been built along the bayou on private lands just east of downtown. Dozens of volunteers have helped plant more than 100 native trees along the new trails. The trails will officially open to the public in the spring.