Willow Waterhole Greenway

On October 30, 2021, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Kinder Foundation’s lead grant of up to $4 million toward the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy’s $10 million capital campaign to improve the 291-acre Willow Waterhole Greenway in the Westbury area of southwest Houston. The improvements include trails at four lakes, a neighborhood trail connection, and land acquisition.

The Willow Waterhole Greenway consists of six flood control detention basins and large greenspace areas, overseen by the Harris County Flood Control District and Houston Parks & Recreation Department (HPARD). The all-volunteer Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy, Brays Oaks Management District, and community donors have been making improvements to the greenspace since 2005.

The $2 million Kinder Foundation grant supported trail construction and amenities at Willow, Triangle, Scout, and Dog Lakes, as well as a neighborhood connection to Chimney Rock Road, and these projects are now complete. The Foundation also matched an additional $2 million on a dollar-for-dollar basis for these projects, and the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy is making more improvements in 2025 with these funds. In addition to these improvements, Harris County Precinct One rebuilt and extended trails around Westbury Lake. In 2024, Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy achieved another milestone by hiring its first executive director to oversee its work to help improve and maintain the Greenway.

HPARD and the Brays Oaks Management District have agreed to collaborate on maintenance of the expanded recreational amenities within the property, which offers Houstonians flood relief, wildlife habitats in an urban setting, and educational and recreational opportunities. Its beautiful rolling hills, sinuous lakes, large stands of trees, and areas of rare prairie grasses have made Willow Waterhole Greenway one of Houston’s best-kept secrets and most valuable assets.