Adam RollinsThis story was originally published in the Texas Government Insider newsletter from Strategic Partnerships, Inc. To have the latest government contracting news stories from across the country delivered straight to your inbox, click here to subscribe.
Substantial upgrades are on the way for a vital community space in the heart of Houston’s densest neighborhood.
Harris County Precinct 4 is in the design phase of a $39 million revitalization effort to return Burnett Bayland Park to a safe, dynamic outdoor environment. The park’s master plan was officially unveiled earlier this year. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025.
The project will focus on renovating the existing park and developing an additional 40 acres of unused land. Not only will the completed renovations provide updated recreational amenities, but the county will also plant trees and native foliage to create a canopy, combatting the urban heat island effect.
The park will feature an assortment of recreational opportunities, ranging from inclusive and enhanced playgrounds to several sports courts, soccer pitches and fields. Plans include installing a dedicated skate park, a splash pad and gaming and seating areas. A large, multipurpose event lawn is planned for the center of the park, alongside additional fitness areas, a food truck park and picnic spaces.
The master plan places an emphasis on greenspace, supplementing the expanded trees and plants with a community garden. The county will build a pavilion and restrooms in the center of the park. A detention/retention pond will encircle half of the park, offering critical drainage and flood protection alongside rain gardens and bioswales.
The county will build a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station nearby to provide accessible multimodal transportation options for visitors. Accessibility and mobility are among the highest priorities for the design, featuring both neighborhood and internal parking, corner entries, lighting, wide sidewalks, trails and wayfinding signage.
Construction is expected to proceed in phases. Aspects of these plans may include a future community center and parking and additional developments to the south.
The project recently received $11.3 million from the Department of the Interior to advance project design and implementation.
Photo courtesy WhisperToMe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
