News

BBP began a planting test that builds upon Harris County Flood Control District’s work upstream of the Sabine Street Bridge in late 2011. HCFCD tested a technique for removal of silt, invasive vines and various trees along this 1,000-foot stretch, but unfortunately last summer’s drought interrupted plans to re-vegetate the channel’s edge. BBP is now proceeding with this work, which will test different native groundcovers, grasses and trees to determine which vegetation will flourish. Plants in this zone must be able to withstand long periods of high water.

It is no surprise to those of you who use Buffalo Bayou Park that construction has already begun. Last fall, Lone Star Construction, which has a contract with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), began rebuilding the 4.6-mile Sandy Reed Memorial Trail using designs overseen by the City of Houston. Considerable progress has been made. Lone Star is now concentrating on new pedestrian bridges over the Greentree Tributary east of Waugh Drive, and under the existing Shepherd Drive bridge. Trails on the north bank between Shepherd and Waugh drives also are being constructed. By late summer, the majority of all trail work should be complete with the exception of Eleanor Tinsley Park where work will begin after the Freedom Over Texas Fourth of July event. Final trail construction is slated for summer 2013.