Brays Bayou winds its way through the heart of Houston in a stretch of over 30 miles, offering joggers, cyclists, and families alike an escape from the concrete metropolis so many residents call home.  

Now, the area will see the addition of four miles of hike and bike trails along Brays Bayou, connecting nearly 5,000 households nestled along Brays Bayou Greenway south to Keegans Bayou.  

The exciting new upgrades come from Commissioner Lesley Briones’s 2023 Places 4 People: Call for Projects partnership with the Houston Parks Board. The Precinct’s Call for Projects program is investing over $200 million in community-driven projects that are submitted by local organizations, government agencies, school districts, and other organizations.  

Jerry Helfand, a Maplewood South community resident and cycling enthusiast, recalled wishing for more access to outdoor recreation when he first moved to Houston from New York in 1983.  

“This project has changed how I look at the city,” Helfand said. “With the new trails and underpasses, I can start planning for longer cycling rides and don’t have to worry about traffic. It’s amazing to see so many people birdwatch, walk, and want a trail system where they can continue to make community.”  

The project also includes the creation of seven new undercrossings at major intersections, an ADA-accessible trail connection to the METRO bus stop, and a Memorial Plaza honoring Captain Gary Herod — a Meyerland hero who lost his life steering his failing jet away from homes and residents and crashing into a vacant field along Brays Bayou in 1961.   

Brays Bayou has been the “backyard” for Marge Mayer, 84, and her husband, Hans, for over 50 years. As residents living in the Meyerland area who bump into neighbors on their afternoon bike rides and walks, the couple is thrilled about the upgrades coming to their beloved community.  

“For me the trail is a lifesaver,” Hans, 89, said. “I’ve been a consistent user of the trail for the last 35 years, and it’s a wonderful outlet for keeping an active lifestyle but also bringing our neighborhood together.” 

Construction on the trail system began in January and is slated to be completed in Summer 2028. For any questions or assistance regarding the project’s progress, residents can visit Precinct 4’s project tracker page. They can also contact the Community Assistance Department at 832-927-4444 or [email protected].