Jack Drake Park is named after Jack Drake, the first President of the Greenspoint District (now known as the North Houston District). As one of the key parks in the District’s network of greenspaces, Jack Drake Park has already received some recent updates with plans underway for additional expansion.

Jack Drake Park, located on Bradfield Drive in the northeast quadrant of the North Houston District, is the trailhead for the Greens Bayou Trail, which links to several other parks along the bayou. For this reason, it is very popular among walkers and joggers, who use the trail for exercise and transportation. The park also highlights native plant species and active habitat restoration.

Upgrades to the park include a recent resurfacing of the granite trail within the park as well as the rehabilitation of a new tract of land. The District will complete the planned transformation of a once underutilized property into restored natural habitats by late Spring or early Summer of 2026.

Walking a New Path

In December 2024, the North Houston District Board of Directors approved a construction contract with On Post Landscaping and Property Management for trail resurfacing at Jack Drake Park. In February of this year, the renovation of 2,200 linear feet of the park’s decomposed granite trail loop was completed through the project contractor.

A 10-dump truck caravan delivered 180 tons of weathered granite for the job. In addition to delivery of new surface supplies, the project included full renovation of the trail with installation and compaction of the material at a two-inch thickness, said Dru Gutierrez, Field Services Director at the District.

“The trail renovation provides a well-marked and established trail throughout the interior of the park,” he pointed out. “The project refreshed the overall appearance of the park, showcasing an inviting, safe, and accessible trail for visitors to enjoy.”

Work Slated for Land Gifted to the District

In March 2023, a plot of land just West of Jack Drake Park was donated to the District. The land gift more than doubled the size of the park. Now plans are taking shape to develop a 5-acre section within the parcel which borders Benmar Drive into native grasses.

“This parcel was previously privately owned, and we approached the owner about donating it to the District to expand Jack Drake Park, which they generously obliged,” explained Robert Fiederlein, Vice President Planning and Infrastructure.

The tract required significant restoration, but presented a great expansion opportunity for Jack Drake Park. With the assistance of a local Texas Parks and Wildlife Department office, the District developed a plan for the conversion of the area to native grasses. The planned seed mix will include Little Bluestem, Sideoats Grama, Switchgrass, and Tall Dropseed.

Phase one of this plan is exterminating the weeds and tilling the land. This preparation will leave a clean slate to plant in Spring 2026.

“In addition to creating a beautiful new landscape, these native grasses will help reduce maintenance costs and, most importantly, restore a native habitat for pollinators and wildlife, especially native birds,” Fiederlein said. “The enhanced native habitat will offer park visitors a greater opportunity to appreciate the vegetation and wildlife that naturally occurs in our area.”

Whether at Jack Drake Park, or another area greenspace, take advantage of the more than 56 acres of parks and over six miles of trails within the North Houston District.