Before a single line is drawn or a shovel hits the ground, Courtney Cunningham is already thinking about the people her work will touch. As Precinct 4’s Senior Engineering Project Manager for all signature projects, she leads the work behind some of the most visible transformations in our area — reimagining what’s possible for the residents who call Harris County home.
When Courtney joined Precinct 4 in 2023, she brought with her more than a decade of experience in civil engineering, working on everything from urban roadways and drainage systems to railroad utilities. But what she found at Harris County felt different. She found a place where her work could make a tangible impact and where she could finally align her career with her purpose.
“I had to stop one day and choose myself,” she said. “This job in Precinct 4 was choosing myself, and I love that I get to do work that truly connects people and makes a difference in their daily lives.”
Reimagining Burnett Bayland Park
One of the projects closest to Courtney’s heart is the Burnett Bayland Park redesign, one of Precinct 4’s largest and most transformative undertakings. Nestled in one of Houston’s hottest areas, surrounded by apartments and concrete, the park is being reimagined into a greener, cooler, more welcoming space for families.
“I can’t even wrap my mind around it sometimes,” she said. “We did all of this on paper, and now it’s becoming real.”
Courtney and her team are leading the effort to bring that vision to life — adding hundreds of trees for shade, new pedestrian bridges, and a community garden. An over 10-acre detention pond will also help both beautify the space and improve drainage in the surrounding Gulfton area — a simple yet powerful change that will make a big impact.
The most rewarding moments come when she sees how these projects touch people’s lives. When the Burnett Bayland Master Plan was unveiled, a community member hugged her through tears — thanking her for helping make something happen she never thought she’d see.
“That moment made me emotional,” Courtney said. “It reminded me that what we’re doing really matters.”
Leading with heart and hustle
Courtney led her team to complete the design phase of Burnett Bayland at an unheard-of pace — just three months for a project that would typically take a year. When asked how she manages the pace and the pressure, she laughs and says she embraces the chaos.
“You have to be a little bit insane and think a little bit outside of the box to do things that are innovative and that have never been done before,” she said.
Courtney’s days are filled with site visits, construction checks, and collaboration with inspectors, planners, and leadership. Amid the complexities of her job, she finds peace out in the field. It’s where she feels most connected to her work and to the people it impacts.
Engineering for people
Burnett Bayland Park, Courtney has had a part in plans to transform other key spaces, such as Bayland Park, Tracy Gee Community Center, Chimney Rock, and Anderson Park. Each project plays an important role in building stronger, safer, and more vibrant neighborhoods across Precinct 4.
But what truly stands out about Courtney isn’t just her technical skill — it’s her heart. She lights up when she talks about the residents who will one day stroll through a finished park, cross a new bridge, or drive along a freshly built road. To her, engineering is about connection. With every project she leads, she’s helping build not just the physical foundations of our community, but the emotional ones too.