“A pocket wilderness in the heart of Houston”
There are very few forested 20-acre park
sites inside Houston’s 610 Loop. Located next to Houston’s
historic Heights Neighborhood, the West 11th Street Park is
one such park. When its previous owner, the Houston Independent
School District (HISD), decided to sell the property,
community leaders and the Houston Parks Board recognized the
need to save the property from development and led the fundraising
and acquisition efforts. This park acquisition is a wonderful
story of cooperation among numerous community and local government
entities, and the utilization of a truly creative strategy.
Acquisition process and outcome
For over 50 years, the West 11th Street property
served as a de facto park for the community. Owned by HISD
and leased to the City of Houston Parks Department, the property
was deemed surplus in 2005 and released for sale. The Houston
Parks Board negotiated a $9 million sales price (less than
the property’s value) for park purposes. Mayor White
agreed to provide $4 million in public funds to purchase the
property with the understanding that the private sector would
raise the remainder. The “option to purchase” contract
expired in January 2007, with an approximate $3.5 million shortfall.
Deeming this property acquisition to be critical, and for the
first time in its history, the Houston Parks Board took out
a bridge loan in order to complete the purchase from HISD,
using five acres of the property as collateral. This contingency
plan accomplished two important goals: the entire 20 acres
would move from HISD ownership to the City of Houston “on
time” at closing, and the neighborhood was guaranteed
a minimum of a 15.2-acre park. In February of 2007 the land
was purchased by the City of Houston, and five acres was in
fact used as collateral for a loan of $3.7 million.
In the fall of 2007, thanks to the efforts
of Senator John Whitmire, a $3.75 million matching grant was
allocated in the Texas Legislature to fund the remaining 5-acres
of West 11th Street Park. The Houston Parks Board and the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department worked closely with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to complete the allocation to pay off the loan and transfer the remaining 5-acres to the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department in January, 2008.
West 11th Street Park is a true natural treasure,
and completion of this acquisition means this natural treasure
will be preserved. This action will protect over 1,800 mature
trees, a rapidly growing and diverse understory, and wooded
trails for generations to come. The park is a haven for herons,
owls, woodpeckers, butterflies, squirrels, and countless other
creatures. Over 100 bird species and 33 species of butterflies
have been identified in the park. Two of the six woodpecker
species (the dramatic and uncommon red-headed woodpecker and
the huge pileated woodpecker) as well as the Great horned owls
that currently live in the park, all need this large undisturbed
tract of land to thrive.
Collaborative Partners
Many local government leaders, community leaders, and partners were instrumental in saving West 11th Street Park. These partners include: State Senator John Whitmire; Houston Mayor Bill White; City Council Member Toni Lawrence; Houston Independent School District and Harvin Moore HISD Board Chair; Houston Parks and Recreation Department; Friends of West 11th Street Park; Timbergrove Manor Civic Club; “Save This Park” Volunteers; and many others. Thank you!!
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