August 2019
Greetings!

Flood control remains an important topic in Harris County. New development, higher rainfall amounts, and frequent hurricanes have sparked the need for new development guidelines. These guidelines, which my colleagues and I passed during the July 7 Commissioners Court meeting, will help us mitigate the effects of natural disasters and provide our experts the tools necessary to better predict the frequency of flood events. 

You can read more about the new regulations in an informative article from the Houston Chronicle below.

This edition of E-Corner also includes information about Precinct 4’s Road & Bridge Department and community centers. We’ve rounded up your most frequently asked questions and provided the answers below. 

Other articles provide details about Precinct 4’s Adopt-A-Legacy Tree Program, a new park and soccer field planned in Spring Branch, and a variety of events and activities.

As a reminder, you can access other Precinct 4 publications on the  Precinct 4 website. Visit Precinct 4 online to learn more about our road projects and upcoming events available through our community centers, parks department, and Senior Adult Program.
 
Featured Articles
Commissioners Court Unanimously Passes New Floodplain Development Rules

Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously July 9 to approve tougher regulations for building in Harris County floodplains. The regulations were made effective immediately and will last at least until Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps are updated.

Because of higher predicted rainfall amounts, the regulations require developers to offset potential flooding for all new developments within the 500-year floodplain and to increase minimum detention for those areas. Before the rules went into effect, developers only needed to offset flooding in the 100-year floodplain, or areas with a 1% chance of flooding in any given year. Learn more about how these regulations have changed by clicking here . Click here to read more about the new regulations in the Houston Chronicle.

Native American Heritage Day

Join Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center for a celebration of Native American culture in the Akokisa-Ishak Village. Hear stories passed down from years of rich oral traditions, gain an appreciation of cultural craftwork, and observe traditional dancing and demonstrations.

The event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive in Humble.

Find the Akokisa-Ishak Village by following the Homestead Trail directly across from the Nature Center.
Adopt-A-Legacy Tree

A new educational opportunity is available for Harris County Precinct 4 residents. Laura Medick with Precinct 4’s Legacy Tree Project invites schools and nonprofits to adopt a historic tree to display in a public space. The saplings are descendants of trees listed in the Texas A&M Forest Service's Famous Trees of Texas.

These organizations will be tasked with caring for the sapling and sharing the tree’s history with the public. This program is especially beneficial for schools and other educational facilities to teach students about history and nature. Click here to apply for the program.
Be A Mercer Ambassador!

Volunteers can soon enjoy new opportunities on the weekends! The Mercer Ambassador program is perfect for anyone at least 16 years old who enjoys visiting with garden guests and can dedicate at least two hours a month on a Saturday or Sunday.

“You don’t need to be a historian or have a horticultural background to be a great ambassador,” said volunteer coordinator Jamie Hartwell. “Aside from learning some basic Mercer information, which will be provided in advance, a friendly personality and a welcoming smile are the only real requirements.” 

New Soccer Fields Coming to Alabonson Park

Three new soccer fields are coming to Precinct 4! The State of Qatar has donated $3.3 million to build eight new soccer fields in Harris County as part of the Qatar Harvey Fund.

The Qatar Harvey Fund was established by the State of Qatar in 2017 to administer $30 million in long-term recovery assistance to the people of southeast Texas following Hurricane Harvey in August of that year. The soccer fields will also be designed as water collection basins to mitigate future flood risk.

Answers to your FAQs: How Many Community Centers are in Precinct 4? What Do They Offer?

Mangum-Howell Center at Doss Park is Precinct 4’s only dedicated community center in a precinct of nearly 1.4 million residents. The facility spans 15,600 square feet and offers adult and limited children’s programs throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy evening exercise programs, crafts, games, and monthly luncheons. Center hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

In addition, Big Stone Lodge at Dennis Johnston Park offers programs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Answers to your FAQs: Who Maintains Precinct 4's Roads? 

One of the primary duties of a county commissioner is to plan, build and maintain roads and bridges.

It’s a major undertaking, but even more so in Precinct 4.

With 5,366 “lane miles” and 2,628 “linear” miles, Precinct 4 has the largest road and bridge maintenance area of any precinct in Harris County. (“Lane miles” accounts for the length and number of lanes of each roadway. “Linear miles” measures only the length of the roadway.) 

So how does Precinct 4 keep up with such a large area? 

Upcoming Events
Family Game Nights: Lawn games at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve

Enjoy an evening of friendly competition during Family Game Nights at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve! Game nights take place every first Friday of the month in August through November. Enjoy classic lawn games, including ladder ball, giant Jenga, and cornhole. Bring your favorite board games to play under the pavilion! 
Spider Sniffing

Trails As Parks naturalists will offer tips to “sniff out” our eight-legged friends on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dennis Johnston Park. Bring flashlights for this fun Park After Dark event. To register, click here .
 
Plumeria Introduction and Propagation Techniques

Discover the plumeria plant, its cultural requirements, and propagation techniques from avid gardener Alan Raymond, a member of The Mercer Society and the Plumeria Society of America. The event takes place Saturday, Aug. 10, at 9 a.m. at Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road Humble, TX 77338. Registration required at 713-274-4160.
Precinct 4 Opry in Humble

Harris County Precinct 4 Encore! invites the community to enjoy three hours of live rock, folk, and country music during the 18th annual Precinct 4 Opry on Friday, Aug. 16, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway in Humble. 

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger. Click here for more information or to register.