August 20, 2013

City Receives $300,000 Settlement to Restore Woodland Park

The City of Houston has secured a $300,000 settlement that will be used to restore recent damage caused by a private developer to Woodland Park, 212 Parkview, Houston 77009. This 19.67 acre park near White Oak Bayou in the Woodland Heights neighborhood in City Council District H has been a city park since 1914.

Mayor Annise Parker, the City of Houston Legal Department and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) fought hard to ensure that the developer would pay for the vegetation to be replanted, and hopefully it can begin to grow again without further incident.

During the week of June 3-7, 2013, private developers constructing several townhomes on adjacent private property caused substantial damage to nearly one acre of the park. The damage included removal of trees, vegetation and harmful grading of soil. Although the developers promptly offered to pay the costs of restoring the park to its original condition, there were major disagreements regarding how this should be accomplished, and what the costs would be.

HPARD intends to work through the Houston Parks Board to restore the Park, as much as possible, to its original condition. The project will take an estimated six months to complete. HPARD will meet with the community representatives, Friends of Woodland Park and Council Member District H Ed Gonzalez to discuss a plan of action.

A copy of the settlement can be viewed here. For more information email mayor@houstontx.gov.