NORTHEAST– At a well attended luncheon in Greenspoint last Thursday, March 24, the Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition made its annual report to the public on activities and progress. The report was made by Executive Director Regina Lindsey, and emceed by Development Director Jill Bullion. Keynote speaker was Houston Mayor Annise Parker, speaking on Proposition 1, the Drainage fee proposal, and its impact on regional flooding and drainage.
The GBCC report included details on a new park, a master plan for the entire 45 mile waterway corridor, and a trail system. It also discussed how retainage areas would help reduce future flooding.
The GBCC mission is to provide recreation, economic development, and an enhanced quality of life along the bayou corridor. Also the goal is to reduce flooding in its service area. The GBCC is a private organization, started in 2007 and funded by membership dues and grants. It has a number of public agency partners, including the National Parks Service.
Members and supporters who were thanked during the luncheon included Chairman of the Board Bill Franks, Jack Drake of the Greenspoint District, Sustaining members East Aldine District, Greenspoint District, Williams Brothers construction, International Investors Group, KBR, LJA Engineering, Triple B Services, and many corporate members and associate members. Sponsors of the luncheon also included Johnson Radcliffe Petrov & Bobbitt, and Lone Star College-North Harris.
Awards of appreciation were presented by Chairman Bill Franks, and included founders Joe Wozny and Jack Drake, Houston Endowment, National Parks Service, Willowbrook Rotary Club, Mike Castro, RVi planning and landscape architecture, and Triple B Services.
In her annual report of progress, Lindsey showed pictures of the West Reach Clean-up last October, an example of how the bayou is being restored to health.
In the North Reach, which included Greenspoint and Aldine, Bart Baker is committe chair, and progress has been made by planning 4 detention basins, plans to annex some ungoverned land next to East Aldine District, construction of Ida Gaye Gardens, a senior park next to a housing project, an award from Texas Dept. of Transportation for trails extending from Wussow Park out to a future skateboard park and soccer complex at Glen Forrest Basin, and a grant of $10,000 from Trees for Houston.
On the East Reach, a canoe trail will be built with the Houston Canoe Club participation.