Houston is now home to three brand-new, fantastic trails along Greens, Hunting, and Sims Bayous.  

It’s all part of the $220 million Bayou Greenways 2020 initiative, a public-private partnership between the Houston Parks Board, the City of Houston and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, bringing 150-plus miles of connected parks and hike and bike trails along 3,000 acres of underutilized land along our bayous.

Not only will these greenways allow us to one day traverse the entire city without scary traffic getting in the way, they also enhance our air and water quality, mitigate flooding and even and are stimulating economic development in Houston, and—oh yeah—they are already some of the best places to hike, bike and jog in town.              

But if you still don’t know how many incredible trails this initiative has created, well, the following new additions are a good reason to familiarize yourself.

We strongly suggest checking out these new trails as soon as possible. 

Greens Bayou Greenway: Strickland Park to Maxey Park

This $2.4 million, 1.4-mile segment of Greens Bayou Greenway connects Strickland Park to Maxey Park. Along with a 10-foot-wide concrete multi-use trail, there have been multiple improvements to both parks, including seating, signage, new trees and landscaping, cool trail entrances, and gateways (and even a canoe and kayak launch in Strickland Park). Plus, there's a new connection into the nearby METRO Park and Ride and a mid-block crossing on Woodforest Boulevard.

Hunting Bayou Greenway: Falls Street to Cavalcade Street (Mickey Leland Memorial Park)

This $1.7 million, half-mile segment of Hunting Bayou Greenway connects  Falls Street to Cavalcade (Mickey Leland Memorial Park) with a new 10-foot wide multi-use concrete trail (that replaced an old asphalt trail) and pocket parks, landscaping, benches, signage, trash and recycling receptacles, and new landscaping and trees that extend north along West Hunting Street. A new bike/pedestrian bridge with overlook plazas connects to the existing Hunting Bayou Greenway, too. And you’ll also find gateways to the Pine Tree Trailhead at Mickey Leland Park and the Oak Hill Pocket Park along the greenway.

Sims Bayou Greenway: Old Galveston to Milby Park

A $3 million, 1.2-mile segment of Sims Bayou Greenway now connects Milby Park to Sims Bayou at Galveston Road, reaching all the way to Deeda Street, adjacent to the Houston Botanic Garden.  

The highlight is a shady alley of mature Live Oak trees along Galveston Road, but you’ll also find enhanced landscaping, plazas, seating, signage and trash/recycling receptacles, and more.