The Inwood Detention Study recommends recreation opportunities, regional connections, and reinvigorates native ecological systems, that coincide with a federal flood mitigation project.
This project identifies key connections that will restore neighborhood pedestrian circulation as well as enhance regional connections. Trails are designed for multi-modal use as a means of transportation and recreation. The improved network will create equitable linkages within, around, and through the community.
The project team worked closely with community members and stakeholders to determine the desired project aesthetic, how to implement and maintain it, and how to do so using plants that are regionally appropriate. The project is designed to respond to the conditions created by the future detention basins.
This project recommends not only trails for recreation, but identifies key areas where additional recreational opportunities, such as exercise, play and gathering, could be included to enhance the overall character of the outdoor space and provide amenities for community members.
The neighborhood of Inwood Forest, located in northwest Houston along the White Oak Bayou, is prone to flooding and was identified by the City of Houston and Harris County Flood Control District as an opportunity to incorporate detention basins for flood mitigation. Working with civil engineers, engaging with relevant stakeholders, and engaging with residents, the team provided alternate design options for the detention basins to preserve existing site amenities and developed landscape plans for recreational opportunities. These opportunities included a trail network, ecological restoration, a series of pocket parks, and passive recreation opportunities along the planned dry and wet detention basins.
The landscape plans were developed by researching the plant communities native to the ecoregions nearby. These communities would increase ecological benefits by supporting wildlife and could be studied for anticipated benefit to bank stabilization and stormwater cleansing.
The recreation network of trails and parks will not only provide nearby residents with ample recreation opportunities, but also will connect into the larger regional recreation network, increasing connectivity and multi-modal transportation options. The recreation portion of this project is not yet funded, but plans are in progress to acquire funding to move into construction of the recreation amenities in a phased approach.
View the final study here