Planning for the NWHCMUD 5 trail system began several years ago when the Board of Directors, at that time, worked with the District’s neighborhoods to develop a Parks Master Plan which catalogued existing local greenspaces, explored regional connectivity, and identified new park opportunities. The Master Plan was also used to secure an 8-million-dollar park bond through a district bond election. It wasn’t until several years later when new board members were elected who shared a passion for parks and greenspaces that the plan started to become reality. Clark Condon worked with board members to develop an initial trail alignment, which also analyzed the feasibility of alternative trail routes. Property ownership, access to multiple neighborhoods, connection to existing trail systems, and future maintenance costs were all considered before a final trail alignment was determined.

Over the next few years, Clark Condon, along with the District’s other consultants, worked together to develop what began as a little more than a line on a map to a fully constructed trail system. The District created a subcommittee consisting of a few board members focused on parks and trails development to oversee the project’s progress and act as liaisons to the overall board. This group was essential for strategizing early alignment options, securing easements, communicating information to the public, and working through challenges during construction.

Although several portions of the proposed trail alignment would be located within property already owned and maintained by the District, over 45 privately owned parcels required easement acquisition. The design team, led by the attorney for the District, attended homeowner association meetings, met with land owners, and negotiated recreational and access easements for the construction of the trail.  An interlocal agreement was executed between Harris County Flood Control and the District to allow construction along drainageways and an encroachment agreement was secured with a pipeline company whose easement allowed trail connections between seven different neighborhoods.

Early in the planning process, two major goals developed. The first was to connect as many of the 22 neighborhoods within the District as possible, and the second was to provide connections that limited conflicts with vehicular traffic. Large portions of the trail system were designed along drainageways and detention basins, as well as utilizing utility corridors. Major roadways, along with drainageways, within the District created challenges to pedestrian circulation. In order to facilitate safe access and increase connectivity, multiple strategies were utilized.  Clark Condon and the design team worked with Harris County to approve multiple mid-block crossings throughout the trail system including ADA compliant ramps, signage, and striping. A 135’ undercrossing was excavated along Faulkey Gully to safely traverse Spring Cypress Road, which is a heavily traveled major thoroughfare. The design team also worked closely with the Harris County Flood Control District to incorporate three 8’ wide pedestrian bridges over various facilities along the trail route.

The five miles of trail wind through multiple neighborhoods, which presented a unique opportunity to develop district branding for the trail system. Clark Condon aided the client with creating a logo and color scheme that was utilized throughout design including signage, accents on retaining walls, unique bridge approaches, and seating nodes complete with decorative pavers, site furniture, and shade structures.