New Park Opens as Part of Houston's Ambitious Bayou Greenways 2020 Plan

Bayou Greenways Park is part of a decade-long project building 172 miles of connected greenways around the city of Houston.

1 minute read

May 30, 2021, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


"[Y]ears of greener urban development led to this week’s opening of Bayou Greenways Park" in Houston, writes Andrew Dansby in the Houston Chronicle, adding another green spot to Houston's freeway-dominated downtown. "Bayou Greenways Park serves as a hub of sorts for Bayou Greenways 2020, a much larger, more ambitious 172-mile project that is roughly 122 miles into completion, with parks and paths around Brays, Buffalo, Greens, Halls, Hunting, Sims and White Oak Bayous, as well as the West Fork of the San Jacinto River."

Bayou Greenways "was designed to provide equitable access to park space across different parts of the city" and connect "neighborhoods via passageways that don’t require automobiles." But connecting the new greenways poses a major logistical challenge. Barron Wallace, Houston Parks Board chairman, says "getting a city to execute a plan like Bayou Greenways 2020 is like turning an aircraft carrier." Building greenways involves collaboration with stakeholders, transportation agencies, and the Harris County Flood Control District, among other entities.

"When the Bayou Greenways project is complete, it will bring an estimated 1.5 million Houstonians within 1.5 miles of green space" and open up new possibilities for Houstonians to explore and enjoy their city.

Thursday, May 27, 2021 in Houston Chronicle

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

The Chicago Avenue Bridge when it was open, a dark red bridge in front of downtown.

Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders

The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.

4 hours ago - Block Club Chicago

People walk to a bus in Queens

NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses

Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.

5 hours ago - Mass Transit

A rendering of the California high speed rail Fresno station. Two escalators leading into the station are visible.

California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer

The California High-Speed Rail Authority aims to start servicing passengers by 2033.

6 hours ago - Railway News