Greetings!
As Harris county grows and changes, Precinct 4 continues to expand services to new areas. Your Precinct 4 parks department begins work this year to bring the Spring Creek Greenway Trail into Tomball and the Creekside area.
This expansive trail offers stunning creek views, forest habitats, and hiking and biking opportunities from Spring to Humble. We can’t wait to provide this wonderful amenity to more Precinct 4 residents. Stay tuned for updates and watch us grow!
We also offer a variety of festivals and outdoor events this fall for residents of all ages. Take advantage of the cooler weather and spend a night under the stars watching “The Lorax” on the big screen. If you love gardening, attend the Pollinator Festival at Mercer Botanic Gardens to shop plants and try out a variety of fun activities. Those with children won't want to miss Tricks & Treats Among the Trees at Jones Park and Sunday Afternoon in the Park at Burroughs Park.
This issue also contains information about exciting programs provided by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, the Harris County Flood Control District, and Precinct 4 Encore. I encourage you to read all this and more in this edition of Commissioner's E-Corner.
|
|
HCSO’s Graffiti Abatement Program |
|
If you’ve noticed more graffiti over the past year, it’s not your imagination. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has seen a sharp rise in graffiti since the COVID-19 shutdowns, especially along the FM 1960 corridor in north Harris County.
Areas usually experience a spike in graffiti when children and adults are out of school or work, but cases rose even more dramatically during the pandemic, said Deputy Levi Baldon, who handles the abatement process in Harris County.
Baldon’s unit is tasked with removing graffiti from buildings, homes, public utilities, and fences throughout unincorporated Harris County. From January 2021 to July 2021, the sheriff’s office reported 102 graffiti removals in Districts 1, 2, and 5, which include parts of Precinct 4.
The program aims to reduce graffiti by removing the incentive. Research shows that prompt graffiti removal may cut down on future crimes, leaving neighborhoods and businesses safer and cleaner. The free service is available to all residents and businesses in unincorporated Harris County.
To report graffiti, please contact the HCSO’s Graffiti Abatement Work Program at
Those who live in a municipality must report graffiti to local law enforcement. City of Houston residents can call the City of Houston 311 hotline or visit www.houston311.org to report graffiti.
To request graffiti removal on a business, please click here to download a consent form. Learn more about graffiti abatement laws by clicking on this link: State Law 250.006 - Graffiti Removal.
|
|
Spring Creek Greenway Trail Work Continues |
|
Harris County Precinct 4 continues to expand the Spring Creek Greenway Trail west into Tomball and the Creekside area.
The multi-phase greenway project began in 2005 and now spans more than 17 miles from Interstate 69 in Humble to I-45 in Spring. Work will continue over the next decade to extend the trail westward, eventually connecting Burroughs and Spring Creek parks in Tomball.
Dennis Johnston, Precinct 4's parks director, expects crews to begin construction on a segment linking Spring Creek Park to Lone Star College - Tomball later this year. Clearing is underway on Phase 1, which will extend nearly 1,400 feet from Lone Star College. The second phase will run more than 1,500 feet to complete the connection to Spring Creek Park. The new segment is significant because it paves the way for future greenway connections in Tomball and provides new recreational opportunities for hikers and bikers at Spring Creek Park and the college. Spring Creek Park is a 114-acre park with playgrounds, sports fields, tennis, an archery range, RV and tent camping, pavilions, and picnic areas.
Another greenway segment will extend west from the Ann Snyder trailhead in the Creekside area to Burroughs Park. Precinct 4's in-house Trailblazer crew has started on the trail foundation and clearing the land. The project should take approximately six months to complete.
The new segments will one day connect with a recently completed greenway section in Spring. The 3-mile greenway trail from Rothwood Park to CityPlace in Spring is one of the first finished greenway segments west of I-45.
The Spring Creek Greenway section between Burroughs and Spring Creek Parks remains in the acquisition phase. When complete, the Spring Creek Greenway will span 40 miles from Tomball to Humble.
|
|
When it comes to preventing erosion, slowing floodwaters, and filtering stormwater, nothing rivals native plants. Adaptable, resilient, and low maintenance, they stabilize the soil and require little mowing, making them ideal for growing in basins and along the thousands of miles of channels and waterways of Harris County.
Unfortunately, commercially available native seed mixes in the correct quantities are hard to find. Most commercially available mixes also tend to produce plants that dwindle over the years because they are not suited to Harris County.
That’s why the Harris County Flood Control District recently partnered with Texas Native Seed of Texas A&M Kingsville to develop an improved native seed mix for the region. The project includes seeding and studying two test areas over the next five years. Those sites include plots in Tomball and south Harris County to account for the varying soil types.
Once a seed formula is developed, the flood control district will work with Houston Wilderness to promote the mix to local seed producers. The flood control district hopes the study will lead to commercially available native grass seed mixes suited to Harris County and surrounding areas.
|
|
Harris County Constables Approve
Unified Use of Force Policy
|
|
All eight Harris County constables made history last month by agreeing to adopt a standard policy across the precincts of best practices that officers should follow in situations requiring the use of force. The constables hope the unified Use of Force policy will promote consistent approaches in conflict situations to serve all our citizens.
The policy is the first of its kind in Harris County. As part of the policy, deputy constables emphasize the use of de-escalation techniques whenever safely possible.
Before finalizing the document, constables worked with dozens of community stakeholders and residents from each precinct. Stakeholders had a chance to offer comments and review the policy during an all-day forum.
The policy is now under review by the Harris County Attorney’s Office. If approved, it will affect more than 1,200 deputy constables.
|
|
Precinct 4 Encore Hosts
Destinations Galore Travel Show
|
|
Want to plan a senior adult bus trip but don't know where to go? Precinct 4 Encore's 2022 Destinations Galore Travel Show may be for you.
The event offers one-stop shopping for trip ideas to exciting destinations throughout southeast Texas. Browse more than 100 trip possibilities on Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway in Humble.
Attendees will have the chance to meet with representatives from historical societies, chambers of commerce, museums, parks, theaters, annual festivals, craft shows, restaurants, and more.
To qualify, groups must be based in Precinct 4 and have more than 13 members commit to a trip.
Anyone can attend Destinations Galore but only trip coordinators can reserve a Precinct 4 bus. Those who would like to train to become a trip coordinator can do so online at https://www.hcp4.net/encore/daytrips/ or during the next class on Monday, Oct. 18, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tomball Community Center, 221 Market Street in Tomball.
For more information, please call Precinct 4 Encore at 713-274-4050. Bus transportation is available for adults 50 and older at 8:45 a.m.
|
|
Precinct 4 October Festivals and Events |
|
Summer may be over, but the fun continues this fall in Precinct 4. Whether you love cider and sweaters or costumes and candy, we have an event for you. Check out the lineup below. |
|
Native American Heritage Day
Saturday, Sept.11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Join Jones Park staff and volunteers in the Akokisa Indian Village for a celebration of tribal culture. Observe demonstrations and learn about the native peoples that lived in southeast Texas.
Movie Night: The Lorax
Friday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m.
Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve
Take advantage of the cooler weather and shorter days by joining us for a movie under the stars. View "The Lorax," inspired by Dr. Seuss' children's book, on the big screen at KMP. Participants will receive take-home craft kits. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks.
Movie begins at dusk. For more information, click here.
Civic Adventure Day
Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Collins Park, 6727 Cypresswood Dr. in Spring
Spend the day exploring the outdoors during the third annual Civic Adventure Day. Meet local civic heroes and leaders and learn how they support the community daily. Registration is required at hcp4.net/events. For more information, call Harris County Precinct 4's Special Events Division at 713-274-4050.
Pollinator Festival and Plant Sale
Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mercer Botanic Gardens
Enjoy a day of shopping, games, educational exhibits, entertainment, and more during the fourth annual Pollinator Festival and Plant Sale at Mercer Botanic Gardens. Find plenty of Texas native plants to create a stunning pollinator garden, including zizotes milkweed, fragrant mistflower, maypop, Hercules' club, and spicebush. Activities include lawn games, a scarecrow contest, live music, a library display with a book sale, and more. To help us celebrate, dress in bee, butterfly, bat, hummingbird, or flower attire. For more information, call 713-274-4160 or visit hcp4.net/events.
Indigenous Peoples Day
Monday, Oct. 11
Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day at KMP by immersing yourself in the culture. Attendees can hear historical accounts, view native dances performed by local tribe members, learn about culture and nature, and create crafts. Registration required. Visit www.hcp4.net/kmp/events for a list of activities.
Sunday Afternoon in the Park
Sunday, Oct. 17, from noon to 4 p.m.
Burroughs Park, 9738 Hufsmith Road, Tomball
One of Tomball's oldest fall festivals returns this October with pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival games, children's crafts, and more. Don't miss this free event for all ages. Concessions will be available.
Tricks & Treats Among the Trees
Saturday, Oct. 30, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Trick-or-treating is better under the trees! Don a costume and visit Jones Park to enjoy tasty treats and fun fall activities, including crafts, live creepy critters, games, hayrides, and more.
International Landscape Lighting Institute: Design Reveal
Monday, Nov. 8, from 6:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Mercer Botanic Gardens
Join Mercer for a fiesta under the stars as lighting designers from around the world transform the Tropical Garden, Forest Floor, and Formal Garden into glowing works of art during International Landscape Lighting Institute's annual lighting design course grand finale. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see Mercer's gardens transformed into stunning landscape lighting displays while enjoying refreshments and entertainment.
|
|
|
|
Pioneer Lifestyle at Jones Park |
Join staff and volunteers for this hands-on look at early Texan skills on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Learn the art of fire making, leather works, small plot gardening, and more in this “slow living” workshop in the Redbud Hill Homestead. Ages 16+ or accompanied by an adult. Registration required beginning Wednesday, Sept. 15. For more information, click here.
|
|
|
|
San Jacinto Museum of History |
Precinct 4 invites everyone 50 and older to the San Jacinto Museum of History on Friday, Sept. 17, at 8:45 a.m. Spend time with the special exhibits including artifacts, newspaper clippings, and photographs from the U.S.-Mexican War. The ticket price includes the elevator ride to the observation deck and the movie “Texas Forever! The Battle of San Jacinto.” A $12 prepaid, non-refundable fee covers the cost of this trip. Transportation is provided from Barbara Bush Library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive in Spring. For more information, click here.
|
|
|
|
Tribute to Veterans Dinner and Concert |
Precinct 4 Encore invites the community to Commissioner R. Jack Cagle’s Tribute to Veterans Dinner and Concert on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 6-8 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway in Humble. Following a presentation of flags by the Atascocita High School Junior ROTC and welcome from Commissioner Cagle, a catered dinner of turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings will be served. The Texas A&M University Singing Cadets will present a patriotic concert. For more information, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
