“Studies have shown that neighborhoods and their values thrive wherever there is green space and trails and we want a stabilized residential community which will beget business development.”
– David Hawes
Executive Director

BikeTrail 1

A $1.76 million Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program grant, coupled with a $400,000 contribution from the International Management District, will fund the construction of 2.3 miles of hike-and-bike trails that will soon connect Art Storey and Hackberry Parks.

“This is important because we have two really neat parks, but no connectivity between them,” said David Hawes, IMD executive director. “Why wouldn’t we want to add more linear green space?”

Art Storey Park, a 175-acre Harris County park with a 1.77-mile trail around a significant detention pond, is located near the corner of Bellaire Blvd. and Beltway 8 and bordered on the south by Brays Bayou. Hackberry Park, located just a few miles west on Bellaire and Dairy Ashford, is a project of the Houston Parks Board. The 22-acre space, formerly a golf course, was acquired by the City of Houston and the Parks Board in 2007. It makes use of existing buildings for community activities and features five ponds.

The proposed bikeways project that would connect the two parks would run along the Harris County Flood Control District conveyance channels and would also connect to Chambers Elementary School. Improvements would include a roadway bridge crossing, trail signage, special paving, park furniture and compost for tree planting. The hike-and-bike trail represents a significant effort by the management district to revitalize the Alief area.