Friends of Woodland Park

FWP is engaged in many projects to maintain and improve the recreational opportunities for the communities surrounding Woodland Park. When FWP was founded, Woodland Park was highly neglected and scheduled for closure. FWP has worked to add amenities which are both recreational and educational in nature for all who use the park. Projects underway or under consideration include:

Woody the Turtle Play Structure
Gaga Ball Pit
Pickle Ball at Community Center
Tennis Court Improvements/Basketball Court Improvements/Pickle Ball Markings
Improved Safe Pedestrian Access
Complete footpath around park for all users to access
Relocation of picnic tables to create a "Great Lawn" space
Trash bin placement plus adding recycling
Outdoor Exercise Equipment

Woodland Park contains one of the last natural bayou and riparian forest areas within the city of Houston. However, the bayou and its banks are plagued with poor water quality and massive amounts of trash, especially plastic, that travels from upstream and is caught on the banks and in the brush surrounding Little White Oak Bayou in the park. The natural area within Woodland Park has recently been designated a City of Houston Nature Preserve. The following projects are either currently underway or under consideration by FWP:
Park Clean-ups
Bayou Tire/Heavy Refuse Removal
Trail Bridge Replacement
Trail Maintenance and Improvements to overall accessibility
New Trails Maps/Markers
Replace steps at “Nutria Hill”
Cleanup of fence posts/walkway along eastern edge
Remediate Tree Graffiti

Woodland Park was the second city park in Houston, and has a rich history that includes proximity to historic Native American campsites, historic attractions such as a hotel on the grounds, a boathouse, carousel, and even a zoo! Although these are all in the past, FWP wants to increase community knowledge of the rich history of the park. Additionally, the park is rich in scientific and natural opportunities, and FWP wants to create educational and recreational opportunities for the public to engage with nature. Projects currently underway or under consideration by FWP include:
Wireless Wilderness Trail (QR)
Create and install water conservation gardens around community center
Wildlife Cameras
Signage on park history/nature
Seek official Historical Marker
Update History of Park in Kiosk
Citizen Scientist: Bayou Water Quality

The trail along Little White Oak Bayou is a natural connection between Woodland Park and Moody Park, a hike we lead every year in late winter for FWP members and others. Passing through virtually untouched sections of prairie and sand-bottom springs, it’s hard to believe that you are in the middle of one of the largest cities in the US. Yet, turn the corner and you see trees and banks covered in trash, herons perching on tires, and abandoned public housing.

Connecting these parks doesn’t only mean reclaiming a beautiful natural space; it also means re-connecting communities separated over time by highways, housing projects, and discriminating practices such as red-lining. Woodland Park is the critical link in the greenspace chain which can reconnect these communities of varied cultures, race, and socioeconomic situations.

Extensive pollution problem in Little White Oak Bayou does not originate from Woodland Park; it flows down into the park carrying literal tons of waste from upstream. An engineered trash handling system along with a regular disposal and maintenance plan is required to mitigate the negative human impacts on this fragile eco-system.

FWP regularly holds free events for the community to come together in fellowship and to educate people of all ages and abilities about the history, natural setting, and recreational opportunities in the park.