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There are over eight miles of hike and bike trails in the North Houston District. However, the trails are not all interconnected, limiting access to the District’s park system and safe travel crossing I-45. The North Houston District has engaged HR Green to produce an engineering study as well as the design for a trail connector project to address this issue.
As described in the study, the proposed I-45 trail connector is located at the junction of I-45 and Greens Bayou within the NHD and will serve as a vital link for pedestrians and bicyclists traveling eastbound or westbound by enabling them to cross under I-45.
“The goal of this project is to create a unified trail system in the North Houston District. Right now, someone on the east side of I-45 can’t get to North Houston Bike Park using the trails, and someone on the west side can’t get to Wussow Park. We’re going to change that,” says Robert Fiederlein, the District’s Vice President of Planning and Infrastructure.
Existing Trail East of I-45
The trails east of I-45 were built by the North Houston District and will soon connect to trails to the west of I-45, which were developed by the Houston Parks Board and funded through the Bayou Greenways 2020 bond package. The project will connect the District’s park located along Greens Bayou via the trails—Wussow Park, City View Park, and Jack Drake Park on the east side of I-45, and the North Houston Skate Park and North Houston Bike Park on the west side of I-45.
“The plan is to install 1,300 linear feet of new trailways to connect the two trail systems. The 10-foot-wide trail will go underneath I-45 along the south bank of Greens Bayou,” Fiederlein explains.
NHD is self-funding the design phase of the project in 2026, totaling approximately $250K, and construction is slated for 2027.
Existing Pedestrian Bridge West of I-45
“The trail connector addresses access to recreation, transit, and commerce.” Robert Fiederlein, NHD Vice President, Planning and Infrastructure
An Interconnected North Houston
While the Trail Connector Project is primarily aimed at increasing access to parks, it will also provide safe pedestrian and cyclist travel to shopping, schools, and local businesses, improving ease of transportation for area residents.
“The trail connector addresses access to recreation, transit, and commerce. Right now, the only way to cross I-45 is along a major road. It’s very busy and can be crowded for walking and biking. Not ideal for going to the park, or to school, or grocery shopping,” Fiederlein shares.
The North Houston District is steering the project but anticipates that partners in the area will also participate to help move the needle on this impactful effort.
NHD is dedicated to advocating for a more active community by improving connectivity and accessibility of the parks and trails within its jurisdiction. With the development of a unified network of parks and trails, residents and visitors will have more convenient access to these outdoor amenities, enhancing the area’s sense of community engagement.
