Buffalo Bayou Partnership is Branching Out Along Buffalo Bayou East
HOUSTON, Texas (August 19, 2024) – Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) is pleased to announce a series of events and celebrations this fall centered around new developments and projects in Buffalo Bayou East, the area east of downtown Houston.
The past several years, BBP has been focused on the realization of the Buffalo Bayou East 10-Year Plan. Building from extensive community engagement within the Greater East End and Fifth Ward neighborhoods during the visioning process, the plan features new parks, trails, bayou-crossing bridges, affordable housing, and unique cultural spaces.
The fall season along the bayou will kick off on Wednesday, August 28 at BakerRipley’s Ripley House with Buffalo Bayou East: A Progress Report to the Community. This event will begin with a presentation by BBP team members and project managers, sharing the most up to date information and project timelines for Buffalo Bayou East developments in the 10-Year Plan. Featured projects will include Japhet Creek Park on the north bank, as well as Tony Marron Park, Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou affordable housing, and Turkey Bend, a repurposed industrial barge terminal, on the south bank. Of note will be the series of improved and newly constructed hike and bike trails increasing connectivity between Buffalo Bayou East to downtown Houston and Buffalo Bayou Park. Presenters will provide updates on design, projections on closures and construction, and upcoming openings and ribbon-cuttings. Following the presentation will be a reception and opportunity to meet BBP’s team to ask questions and discuss plans further. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
“We are excited to share the latest news on this transformational project,” said Anne Olson, President of Buffalo Bayou Partnership. “BBP has been working tirelessly over the past few years to design, construct, and realize the first stages of this plan. We look forward to Buffalo Bayou’s eastern banks becoming amenities for East End and Fifth Ward residents, and all Houstonians seeking recreation and increased access to nature.”
In addition to the event on August 28, upcoming events in Buffalo Bayou East this fall include:
Japhet Creek Opening Celebration: September 21
BBP will be celebrating the completion of Japhet Creek Park, a new neighborhood park along a historic Buffalo Bayou tributary extending into Houston’s Fifth Ward. All are welcome to join in the festivities of the day, including music, performances, activities, and local vendors.
Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou Ribbon-Cutting & Neighborhood Party: October 5
Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou, a residential development that includes 80 affordable units, was completed earlier this summer and new residents have been moving in since June. The community is invited to join BBP in a ribbon-cutting and block party to help welcome this project and its residents to the neighborhood.
KBR Kids Day & Tony Marron Park Send-Off: October 19
BBP’s annual family-friendly fall festival will return in October to fill Tony Marron Park with thousands of children and families enjoying a variety of activities, including performances, music, a birds of prey show, face-painting, costume contests, and more. The event will also serve as a temporary farewell to Tony Marron Park as it will close for construction later in the year.
More details about these upcoming events in Buffalo Bayou East can be found on BBP’s website.
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About Buffalo Bayou Partnership
Established in 1986, Buffalo Bayou Partnership is the non-profit organization creating and stewarding welcoming parks, trails, and unique spaces, connecting Houstonians with the city’s most significant natural waterway. The organization’s geographic focus is the 10-square mile stretch of the bayou that flows from Shepherd Drive, through the heart of downtown into the East End, and on to the Port of Houston Turning Basin. In addition to spearheading award-winning green spaces such as Buffalo Bayou Park, BBP also removes trash from the waterway and activates the bayou through unique programs, public art, volunteer events, and recreational opportunities that enrich the quality of life in Houston.
About the Buffalo Bayou East 10-Year Plan
By 2032, Buffalo Bayou Partnership and its partners will realize the Buffalo Bayou East 10-Year Plan, bringing parks, trails, bayou-crossing bridges, affordable housing, cultural destinations, and infrastructure improvements to the Greater East End and Fifth Ward. This visionary plan is made possible by a $100 million catalyst gift from the Kinder Foundation to Buffalo Bayou Partnership, which leveraged $24.3 million from Harris County, $83.5 million from the City of Houston including funds from Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ) #23 and #18, and $19.1 million in federal housing tax credits. Buffalo Bayou Partnership continues to raise the remaining funds needed to complete the plan.