We are working with the community to design a 0.5-mile promenade
Using approximately 60-ft of public right-of-way, we are unifying Donovan Park, Heights Blvd Esplanade, Lawrence Park and Houston Heights Reservoir into a coherent system of parks
The MKT Trail courses through the heart of Houston. It links together Houston Heights, Woodland Heights, White Oak Bayou, Sawyer Yards Art District, Buffalo Bayou and Allen’s Landing with connections into Downtown destinations such as the Theater District and the Skyline District.
On the east side of downtown, the trail also makes its way to East End/East Downtown. With plans to extend the reach of this Hike-and-Bike trail eastward, potential exists to link to four important nexus of green space: Esplanade on Navigation, Harriburg Trail and the Columbia Tap Trail. The Commerce St rehabilitation and removal of the old railroad tracks will link the Harrisburg trail with the MKT trail.
MKT Railroad was decommissioned at the end of the last century, and in the late 2000s, a rail-trail was established as a mixed-use path for cyclist, joggers, and walkers. Since then, the Bayou Greenways 2020 initiative linked even more trails together.
For the Greater Heights, the MKT Trail acts as a catalyst for micromobility, linking the neighborhood’s premier shopping and dining destinations
- Enhancing the community’s connectivity and walkability
- Capitalizing on economic development opportunities
- Providing a transformational recreational amenities
Houston Heights Association is seeking to create a landscape beautification plan to enhance and modernize the landscaping of 0.5 miles of linear green space with a width of approximately 60 ft parallel to the MKT Trail.
Preliminary Design Criteria
- Safety improvements for intersections with cars: raised crosswalks, stop signs, archways to unmistakably signal trail crossing
- Separate footpath: suggest and defend material selection (decomposed granite, rubber, asphalt) shape of footpath (linear, meandering) considering use, cost, maintenance effort, etc.
- Splash pads are highly desired feature
- Lightning – using historic street lamps or more modern designs, perhaps similar to BBP
- Opportunities for public art and inclusive activities for all ages and abilities: pedestrian furniture, hammock / lounging / sunbathing area, playground, workout equipment, group exercise lawn / pavilion, community gardens, dog run
- Tree and shrubs selections; special gardens such as Rose garden, Arid garden
- Gathering plaza
- At least 4-5 temporary building for local merchants to be leased out, revenue of rent to be used for maintenance, encourage local merchants (in the context of high rents in the area) priority for grocer for essentials, curated products for trail users, bike spare parts and low-cost servicing
We are working with the community to design a 0.5-mile promenade
Using approximately 60-ft of public right-of-way, we are unifying Donovan Park, Heights Blvd Esplanade, Lawrence Park and Houston Heights Reservoir into a coherent system of parks
