Past

In early 2008, the WHTMP partners identified the major governing agencies/land managers of the 113,000 acre / 6-mile radius subject area centered at IH-10 and State Highway 6. These major agencies, now serving as the WHTMP Steering Committee, represent federal, state, county and city level government organizations. The Committee reviewed and approved the planning process that would steer the course of the West Houston Trails Master Plan for the next 24 months. Over the course of the last 18 months, a Stakeholder workshop was held in October 2008 for 78 participates; the Criteria Committee began prioritizing specific trails as spines or connecting trails; the Design Guideline Committee began developing the trail guideline section; and the Community Input Planning team launched this Web site with interactive GIS maps of proposed trails and a series of surveys that collected citizens’ opinions about the planned trails during the month of September, 2009. There was also a Community Input meeting held on September 9, 2009, at Maurice L. Wolfe Elementary; about 80 citizens attended along with media representatives.

Present

We are approximately ¾ of the way through the planning process of the West Houston Trails Master PlanComments and opinions collected during the just completed Community Input Phase are being analyzed. The input will provide guidance as the various subcommittees and the Steering Committee work to revise and finalize the West Houston Trails Master Plan by the beginning of 2010.

Future

The proposed West Houston Trails Master Plan represents a solution to develop a unified trail system for use by a large variety of trail users, commuters, and outdoor recreational enthusiasts. This proposed trail system does not imply that funding for a system of this magnitude exists nor does it imply that such a trail system will be automatically funded in the future. Rather, this plan provides a strategy useful for seeking funding and in-kind support from public and/or private sources. This plan is also expected to demonstrate through the community’s involvement and professional planning, the strong support of such a system and the unquestionable importance of this regional amenity to not only West Houston but also the city of Houston and Harris County as a whole. The plan itself is designed to be flexible enough to adjust to changing conditions but with unwavering commitment to safety.

It has always been the objective that by involving the governing agencies of the public lands associated with the trail system, each agency would adopt the proposed West Houston Trails Master Plan as a guide to fund and develop trails within its specific areas of responsibility. As the plan crosses many jurisdictional boundaries, it demonstrates the importance of interagency coordination that will ultimately benefit the citizens of Houston and Harris County and develop a quality of life that could only be accomplished through synergistic efforts.

The West Houston Trails Master Plan is anticipated to be ready for publication by the first quarter of 2010. The master plan will have a variety of plans and maps that illustrate existing and proposed public trails, an archeological and cultural report, design guidelines, a funding and implementation strategy, operations and maintenance guidelines, and a strategic report for education, outreach and marketing.