Okay, this has become a passion for me.
Are you considering venturing outside this Fourth of July and wondering where to go, what to do? Good news! First, it looks like the temperature will drop “down” to the lower 90s by Tuesday. And even better: You don’t have to leave town to find a serene, open green space. Just a mile and a half from the southwest corner of Loop I-610 is a huge park and conservation area—with six connecting lakes—that you and most other Houstonians have probably never heard of: Willow Waterhole Greenway https://www.willowwaterhole.org/home. The park is a perfect getaway for anyone wanting to be outside yet far away from the crowds and noise of July 4. Take your family, walk the dog, or just stroll the trails that ring the lakes. You’ll enjoy the quiet, the shade, and the scenic views.
Willow Waterhole Greenway is a 291-acre complex of six interconnected lakes constructed over the last 20 years, initially to help reduce flooding in the Brays Bayou watershed. Its establishment was the culmination of years of planning and work by various governmental agencies and neighborhood groups and individuals. The lakes detain excess stormwater from Willow Waterhole Bayou, a small tributary of Brays Bayou that meanders through the Westbury and Willow Meadows neighborhoods, water that might otherwise flood the surrounding area. But more than just a flood detention area, this unique park is also a prairie conservation area, a haven to wildlife and native plants, and a gathering place for families and friends. It's your chance to appreciate nature in the middle of a big city.
Willow Waterhole Greenway is situated behind Westbury High School on Chimney Rock Road. Parking is available off Dryad Street and on the other small streets that run through the park. The Greenway closes at dusk.
Here are some of the things you can do at the Greenway on the Fourth of July.
Stroll along any of the trails that wind around the park’s lakes. Ride your bike, walk your dog, enjoy the native plants, listen to the birds, admire the unique wood carvings near the parking lot off Dryad Street. The bluebonnets are long gone, but there’s always plenty to see.
Stake out one of the many shaded picnic tables overlooking a lake. No grills are available, so bring your food ready to eat—and an ice chest with cool drinks!
Grab a fishing rod, bait, bucket, hat, and lawn chair, and go fishing. And teach your kids to fish. The six lakes hold water all year and are stocked with bass, catfish, and sunfish. You can fish from the banks or from the new 8-foot-wide concrete pier that extends into Westbury Lake. You’ll need a Texas fishing license if you are 17 or older—find information here: https://www.willowwaterhole.org/hours-regulations
Slide a nonmotorized boat—canoe, kayak, and paddleboat—from the grassy banks into the shallow water and paddle your way around a lake. Bring your own or rent one from any of several shops in the Houston area.
Practice your photographic skills. Surprise your friends with the Greenway’s panoramic views, its glistening lakes, its exotic waterfowl, and more. Then quiz them about the location. You’ll also find selfie stands with scenic backgrounds along the trails.
And whatever you do, take lots of water with you.
Check out the scenic views at the Willow Waterhole Greenway website and see what’s happening on their Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/willowwaterhole/
More to come about the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy’s activities, including this year’s October 28 all-day free MusicFEST event.
photo: Getty Images