the old golf course site is a set of hike and bike trails helping people of
all ages access and enjoy the 178 acres of green space in the heart of Clear
Lake. It appears already that trails will be one of the most popular
additions and will likely generate much public comment. This sub-committee
of about 15 people is interested in your comments and help. Our meetings
will be open to visitors to encourage input and this site's blog spot will
be followed to discuss and record comments and input. We're already
impressed that the flow ideas coming in from a variety of sources are
improving our initial ideas. Join in for a nice day in the Clear Lake
neighborhood.
These are initial goals to support future plans for trails:
1. Stimulate a broad range of input and rich mix of suggestions
2. Build interest and support for trails and overall project
3. Clarify and understand guidelines for what is feasible
4. Research various trails options to identify and prioritize options
5. Research and judge viability of options to obtain funding for trails
6. Discuss and develop prioritized trails options to provide Advisory
Committee
Some initial ideas coming in include: golf course trails connect to drainage
ditches though neighborhoods, hills to increase exercise, exercise equipment
and stations, crushed rock instead of concrete surfaces, distance markers
and more. The big challenge will be identifying and figuring out viable
funding options.
The overall completion date for the overall Advisory Committee plan is Sept.
1, 2012. That means the set of recommended options from the sub-committee
will need to be done by mid-August at the latest.
Don't hesitate, please send suggestions to the blog on this website and/or
emails to dougpeterson@earthlink.net.
Committee
Some initial ideas coming in include: golf course trails connect to drainage
ditches though neighborhoods, hills to increase exercise, exercise equipment
and stations, crushed rock instead of concrete surfaces, distance markers
and more. The big challenge will be identifying and figuring out viable
funding options.
The overall completion date for the overall Advisory Committee plan is Sept.
1, 2012. That means the set of recommended options from the sub-committee
will need to be done by mid-August at the latest.
Don't hesitate, please send suggestions to the blog on this website and/or
emails to dougpeterson@earthlink.net.
Keep it simple. I enjoy it just the way it is now.
ReplyDeleteI like it simple too,but see comment to 08e600bc-bbec-11e1-bef5-000bcdcb5194 below.
DeleteI believe we should put in a skatepark for all of our skateboarders in the area instead of baseball and basketball courts ,we don't need that.
ReplyDeleteNO SKATE BOARDS
DeleteThe BE comes standard with painted wheels and front and rear fenders and the white/grey version has painted spokes too, giving it a very clean and classy look.
ReplyDeletecruiser bicycles
I'd like to suggest that the hike/bike trails have some kind of cover, whether it's from trees or something artifical. Most hike/bike trails in the area have nothing protecting walkers/riders from Houston's brutal summer sun. Because I am at high risk for skin cancer, this lack of cover is a big reason for me not to use any of these trails during the summer months. Cover of some kind would also reduce the heat, even if just a bit, on these trails. On the occasions when I do use an area bike trail, like the one on Kirby Drive that turns onto Red Bluff, I can tell you that emerging from the shade on Kirby Drive into the blasting heat of the sun on Red Bluff is a very unpleasant experience.
ReplyDeleteYep, we agree some shade is definitely in order. We're pushing for trees to be planted or moved near the trails.
DeleteI like the walking/bicycle path the way it is now. Crushed rock is not a good idea and I have seen this done in other places and people didn't like it.
ReplyDeleteIt's not clear yet what the recommended trail material will be. Concrete is very expensive and hard on the joints, although bicylists like it. Asphalt is much cheaper and easier to apply, but it is harder than gravel and can be washed away by flooding water. Crushed gravel is the favorite of many runners, but the rock is rough for bikes, difficult for some walkers and can easily be washed away by a flood, if the flood waters reach it. What surface do you recommend?
DeleteI know this isn't going to happen, but what we really need in the area is some amusement park type rides. I would like things like ferris wheel, a coaster or two, and other rides similiar to what they have at the Boardwalk. Also a go-cart track, so I am not tempted to ride mine on the street and sometimes have to dodge the cops if they are in the area.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, make the recommendation! I personally love the carousel on the National Mall in Washington, DC. I should say our family loves it after the kids rode it many times. I personally would love to see a mini-ampitheater, like a little, simple Miller Theater, open for plays and acoustic music. Seems to me we've sited one like that in Austin's Zilker Park. Anyway, come to one of the meetings and strengthen your recommendation with personal advocacy.
DeleteAfter moving into the area I find the Hiking and Biking trails a wonderful way to keep in touch with nature and it also helped connect me to my community and make new aquaintances. It is perfect just the way it is.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to add levels to the hike/bike trail so joggers have a place to jog up/down hills. If they can go down from a top level to a lower level, then a later path back up to the top level, it will a nice addition for joggers in flat Houston.
ReplyDeleteThe bike path in Middlebrook/Brookforest is a good example of having up/down areas on a trail, except there is only the top level trail with the ramps going to bridges over the creek or under the Hickory Knoll bridge.
I also like Anonymous's suggestion of having some kind of shade.
Cool. We've been talking about the need and value of hills in this hill-challenged region. I strongly expect we'll push for hills in at least part of the parkspace, probably down near the Community Center, if possible, and in other open areas. And the trails can certainly go up and down the sides of the water detention pond/stream areas. We also want to find a government sponsor to connect the trails to other trails like that behind Falcon Pass Elem. and CLHS via trails going under bridges like that on Space Center Blvd (again, another down and up, like Middlebrook).
Delete