Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones and Houston Parks Board broke ground on three new projects aimed at improving accessibility and safety along Brays Bayou Greenway. The initiative will expand or enhance 4.4 miles of trails and add seven new underpasses for pedestrians and cyclists.
“These new trails are more than just a way to connect neighborhoods; they are about connecting people—to each other, to nature, and to opportunities for recreation and well-being,” said Commissioner Lesley Briones in a statement.
“With safer pathways and greater accessibility, this project ensures that families and residents of all ages can enjoy the Brays Bayou Greenway. The Captain Herod Memorial Plaza honors a true hero and the sacrifices made to protect our community. I am grateful to the Houston Parks Board for its continued collaboration in improving the quality of life for the residents of our Precinct 4.”
A key feature of the project is the creation of the Captain Gary L. Herod Memorial Plaza, honoring the Texas Air National Guard pilot who sacrificed his life in 1961 to prevent a catastrophic crash in a residential area. Located near Mullins Drive, the plaza will include landscaping, lighting, benches, and commemorative signage.
Precinct 4 has contributed $3.8 million from its Places 4 People initiative, with HPB providing the remaining $2.8 million. “These new trails are about more than just connectivity—they bring people together, enhance recreation, and improve quality of life,” said Commissioner Briones.
The project includes:
- A new one-mile, 10-foot-wide trail north of Brays Bayou between Chimney Rock and Hillcroft, connecting to the Atwell pedestrian bridge.
- The Captain Herod Memorial Plaza near Mullins Drive.
- An ADA-accessible trail connecting to the METRO bus stop at Mullins Drive.
- Four new underpasses and low-water trails at S. Rice Avenue, Chimney Rock Road, Hillcroft Avenue, and N/S Braeswood Boulevard.
- Replacement of an existing 8-foot-wide asphalt trail with a 10-foot-wide concrete path between Fondren and Braeburn Glen, with three additional underpasses at Fondren Road, Braes Bayou Drive, and Bissonnet Street.
HPB will oversee the project, with B&D Contractors, Inc. handling construction and LJA Engineering managing the design for the first segment.
Once completed, these improvements will contribute to a fully connected 54-kilometer Brays Bayou Greenway, stretching from Archbishop Fiorenza Park in west Houston to the Ship Channel in the east.
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