Dear HCP4,

July is National Park and Recreation Month, and here at Precinct 4, we are hard at work improving your parks and community centers. Your ideas and engagement help us improve Precinct 4’s 55 parks and 10 community centers, and I encourage you to visit us this month and contribute to the future of your public spaces. 

In November 2023, we added Freed Park and Community Center to Precinct 4’s maintenance and operations. I know the community takes great pride in the park and the community garden, which is why for the last six months, we have been upgrading Freed to better serve residents. I invite you to come and see Freed's revitalized community garden, upgraded rooms, and improved outdoor spaces at our open house on July 16th from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Afterward, Freed will be hosting a Harris County Office of Management & Budget town hall to discuss the upcoming budget; I encourage you to stay and share your feedback. 

We are also excited to reveal the concept for the Burnett Bayland Park Master Plan on Thursday, July 11th at our Precinct 4 Soccer Night Out in partnership with the Houston Dynamo and Dash. Join us for soccer workshops, games, food trucks, and to have the first glimpse of the future of Burnett Bayland. This plan was created based on your ideas, and I am excited to share it with you. 

As we continue to revitalize our parks and community centers, we are rolling out a new and improved way for residents to register for classes and activities and reserve community spaces. This updated system will make it easier for everyone to interact with their Precinct 4 resources. Click here to learn more. 

Lastly, as we celebrate our outdoor spaces this summer, we are also celebrating the 2024 Summer Olympics and all of our Harris County and Precinct 4 Olympians. From break dancing to gymnastics to field hockey and more, our Olympians are sure to make history. I invite you to watch the Opening Ceremony with us at Weekley Community Center on Friday, July 26th starting at 11 a.m. 



While the Olympics happen every two years, our parks, fields, and gyms are available daily for anyone feeling inspired by the amazing athletes competing in Paris. This month, as you root for our Harris County Olympians, visit our Precinct 4 parks and community centers to channel your and your family’s inner Olympians. Every Olympian starts somewhere, and the next Simone Biles or Carl Lewis could get their start at a park near you! 

All my best,   

Lesley Briones  

Freed Park & Community Center

Freed Park & Community Center in Spring Branch recently received a facelift thanks to an initiative from Commissioner Lesley Briones. Upgrades include renovations to meeting rooms, new benches, landscaping, a renovated community garden, and more. These enhancements will enable Precinct 4 to offer additional programming options at the community center.

What is your favorite Precinct 4 Park?

June 4

✅ Approved proposals to continue, strengthen, and expand the Holistic Assistance Response Teams (HART) program. These policies will support our County’s mobile crisis responders and protect HART, ensure its integrity, and establish clear evaluation criteria and oversight.   

✅ Directed the development of a scorecard for the M/WBE program. This is a significant step towards accountability and transparency and will ensure alignment with program goals to empower minority and women-owned businesses. 

✅ Appointed Fran Watson as Probate Court No. 5 Judge.

June 25

✅ Encouraged the Texas General Land Office to establish a State Energy Financing Institution (SEFI). Through Department of Energy's SEFI program, cities, counties, and energy companies could take advantage of low-interest federal loans to develop clean energy projects. 

✅ Moved forward with implementation of the 2022 Public Safety Bond! The Court approved $1.27M in funds to kick off projects including a swift water training facility, active shooter training facility, and police precision driving course. 

Commissioner Briones Serves as Ally Grand Marshal for 46th annual Houston Pride Parade

Precinct 4 and Commissioner Briones demonstrated that we are united in pride during the 46th annual Houston Pride Parade. Commissioner Briones was honored to serve as the Ally Grand Marshal for the parade.

Commissioner Briones Hosts 'Meet the Heroes of Hurricane Preparedness' Event at Bayland Park

Commissioner Briones joined forces with local first responders for the 'Meet the Heroes of Hurricane Preparedness' event at Bayland Park. Children were able to see some of the big trucks used in storm response, while families received essential hurricane resources and tips. As part of the event, Precinct 4 received additional feedback on the Bayland Park Master Plan.

Commissioner Briones visits with YMCA, Boy's & Girls Campers at Weekley and Radack CC

The free cams are made possible through a partnership with YMCA of Greater Houston, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston and Precinct 4 Forward.

Commissioner Briones joins HC Public Health at Violence Prevention Conference



The annual conference provided transformative discussions with voices of hope and resilience on steps we are taking to make Harris County a safer place.  

Commissioner Briones Attends 2024 Advancing Equity Luncheon

Commissioner Briones attended the Houston Area Urban League's 2024 Advancing Equity Luncheon, engaging in dynamic, cross-industry discussions about the future of equity in Houston.

Liberty Fest

Commissioner Briones joined thousands of residents at PlazAmericas Mall in Sharpstown for the 5th annual Liberty Fest. The free family-friendly event was sponsored by the Southwest Management District.