From watching a movie under the stars to fishing at Challenger 7 Park, Precinct 2 is full of free, family-friendly fun all summer long. Click on the below for your

Precinct 2 Summer Bucket List.

Across Precinct 2, we celebrated Freedom Day and brought generations together to reflect on its significance. From the annual Juneteenth Jubilee at JD Walker Community Center to the groundbreaking of the Juneteenth Park improvement project to the McNair Juneteenth Parade to new murals at Hardy Community Center, thank you for helping us preserve and honor our history.

We celebrated Pride Month through the stories of members of our community. They recount the moments that shaped their lives and our local history. To watch the Stories of Pride series, click here.

Also, click here to see the photos of Precinct 2 at the Pride Parade!

From teaming up to clean up a nuisance property near a new elementary school to unveiling another Access2Health tool at our community center, go behind the scenes with Commissioner Garcia for a closer look at what's happening across Precinct 2.

This month, we marked the beginning of improvements to Juneteenth Park. The $1.3 million investment replaces the existing asphalt trail with a concrete trail to improve the overall walking, jogging, and biking conditions. Construction is expected to start in July.

We also met with residents in South Houston for the latest phase of the Liveable Center Study. This effort aims to look at a complimentary mix of land uses that are designed to be walkable, connected, and accessible by multiple modes of transportation, including bus, bike, foot, or vehicle This was the second public meeting, and the community came out to see possible design plans and give their feedback.

Thank you to our partners at Harris County Engineering Department for helping revitalize our communities one project at a time!

This month in Commissioners Court, the following Precinct 2 infrastructure projects were approved: 

Corridor Study on Bay Area Blvd from Fairmont Parkway to Middlebrook

Bay Area Boulevard is a key part of the 40-mile continuous trail ways project underway in the Bay Area of Precinct 2. This project will give people a safe path to either walk or ride out of harm’s way.

The study will:

• Analyze and assess condition of approximate 6 miles of roadway
• Determine potential infrastructure for this corridor (Roadway, drainage, sidewalks, and bike lanes)
• Provide costs associated with alternate infrastructure options.
• There have been numerous 311 calls for this corridor and this study will allow us to determine how to best address the corridor issues.

Construction on our Pine Trails Subdivision Project

The project includes:

• Upgrading the exiting enclosed storm sewer system and concrete roadway within the subdivision located southeast of US-90 and north of Wallisville Rd
• The project will be constructed in three phases discharging to two different channels requiring three detention ponds to the west and east of the subdivision
• Total project cost of all phases in $59.2M
• This project will benefit 1,196 structures when all three phases are completed in May 2025.

Get involved

Join us on Thursday, June 29 at 6 PM to help decide how the new Challenger 7 Park playground will look. You'll also get to learn about other plans for the park. For details, click here.

María Bolaños

Precinct 2's Community Relations Manager

Q: What does pride month mean to you, and why do you think the community must understand its significance?

A: It reminds me of the long way the LGBTQ+ community has come to prove that we are good, responsible, law-abiding citizens and an asset to this society. When I was growing up, it was not accepted to be openly gay...READ MORE

Q: Who are some of your favorite LGBTQIA+ icons or role models?

A: Mayor Anise Parker comes to mind...READ MORE

This month, Commissioner Garcia led or voted in favor of the following items:

License Plate Reader and Gun Sound Detection System Contract: Commissioner Garcia introduced Flock, a new pilot project in the Cloverleaf area to install 30 License Plate Reader Cameras and a Gun Sound Detection Dual system. This significant public safety investment will provide valuable data and surveillance for the Sheriff’s Office to combat major violent crimes. This pilot project will also be used as a technology study to compare the flock system with the ShotSpotter pilot project in East Aldine by comparing the two systems in their effectiveness in reducing violent crimes.

$6 Million for Chronic Disease Prevention: Commissioner Garcia led the effort to expand access to chronic disease programming to reduce the prevalence and impact of chronic disease Harris County. It will also reduce future healthcare costs associated with chronic diseases to generate positive financial impacts for Harris County.

Discussion of $2.5 Billion expansion for Harris Health System: Commissioner Garcia introduced this item to begin discussions about the proposed bond to fund Harris Health System’s strategic facilities plan before formal authorization of a ballot measure. This bond project includes building a replacement hospital for the LBJ Campus that will increase patient capacity, renovation of Ben Taub Hospital, and creating three new ambulatory clinics.

Common Market Texas Agreements: Commissioner Garcia introduced a proposal that creates collaboration with Precinct 2 and the Common Market Texas. Precinct 2 community centers will serve as distribution sites and provide fresh fruit and vegetable boxes to families throughout the precinct. This program supports Commissioner Garcia’s Revive2Thrive initiative by addressing the economic and health needs of our communities.

Positions for ACCESS Health: Latino Chronic Disease Cohort: Precinct 2 has the highest number of zip codes with residents who have chronic diseases. Additionally, these zip codes are in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods. The Latino Chronic Disease Cohort will support Precinct 2 residents affected by diabetes, or who are at risk for diabetes, through Community Health Coordinators (CHCs). The CHCs will conduct home visits for residents with Type II diabetes who have not visited a doctor in the last 6 to 12 months. They will also assist participants with services including navigation, appointments, and monitoring.

Resolutions

Pride Month: In a continuing show of support, Commissioner Garcia presented a resolution in celebration of LGBTQIA Pride Month, June 2023. Ms. Anandrea Molina, spoke and received the resolution. Anandrea is the founder of the Organization of Latina Trans in Texas (OLTT), dedicated to ensuring, protecting, and defending the human rights of all trans, gender-nonconforming, and LGBTQ+ people in Texas.

Pet Preparedness Awareness Month: Commissioner Garcia presented a resolution to highlight the importance of preparing pets and their families for major weather events. Corey Steele, Associate Director of the Veterinary Public Health Division, Harris County Public Health, and a four-legged friend accepted the resolution.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Opportunities Resolution: Commissioner Garcia introduced a resolution for Harris County to participate in a collaborative effort with statewide partners to leverage the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund opportunities to benefit Harris County citizens. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will begin accepting requests for proposals in the summer of 2023 from eligible entities to compete for funds from the “Clean Communities Investment Accelerator” and “Solar for All” grant competitions. Mr. Stephen Brown of the Clean Energy Fund of Texas spoke and received the resolution.

Homeownership Month: Commissioner Garcia presented a resolution recognizing June as Homeownership Month. Through the combined efforts of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Texas General Land Office, the Harris County Community Services Department, the Harris County Housing Authority, the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation Board, and our non-profit partners, Commissioner Garcia strives to make housing more affordable and accessible for first-time homebuyers to qualify for mortgage financing. Ms. Mary Lawler, CEO, and Ms. Diana Martinez, both of AVENUE CDC, spoke in support. The Court approved unanimously.

Park and Recreation Month: Commissioner Garcia welcomed Mr. Joe Turner to share a few words about the Park and Recreation Month Resolution, recognizing the value of our public parks.

CW39: Harris County commissioner introduces new telehealth booth

Harris County task force working to arrest violent criminals, clears more 1,300 outstanding warrants in less than a year

KHOU:

Beat the Heat and AC unit deliveries

Youth Summer Programs

Violent Persons Task Force Update

Father's Day