WOODLAND PARK TODAY

Since its creation in 2007, the FWP has sponsored several very successful community events including movie nights, fall family festivals, and a preservation fair.  In addition, FWP has organized several clean up days and a planting event, the latter of which won a Certificate of Recognition in the 2010 Mayor's Proud Partners competition! 

Recently, the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has completed a large project which included removing invasive floral species from the banks of Little White Oak Bayou, and debris from within the channel of the bayou.  This significant project was initiated by former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia.  HCFCD provided labor and oversight for the work, and the City of Houston Public Works Department removed the tremendous amount of debris that was generated.  The next few months will see some spot treatments of invasive species and the replanting of some areas of the park with plants donated by the Bayou Preservation Alliance and the FWP. 

Our good friend, Eric Ruckstuhl with the Bayou Preservation Association, was instrumental in clearing a canoe path under the Wrightwood Street bridge.  You can now paddle up from the Buffalo Bayou State Paddling Trail, into White Oak Bayou and then further up the mouth of Little White Oak Bayou to Woodland Park.  The paddle trail has a nice, mature, mostly native canopy that sufficiently shades the stream.  You are likely to see hawks, egrets, herons and ducks and many other bird species along the route up into the park.  The water goes from blackwater in the deep pools to fairly clear in the riffles.  The one or two bends in this area of the bayou do a good job of disorienting you in just the right way!  This is the only other wooded bayou in another watershed that meets the state paddle trail. 

The FWP and Jason Bonilla, our local birding enthusiast and member of the Houston Audubon Society, have initiated monthly bird watching events at the park.    So far this year we have identified over 50 species of migratory and native birds and we expect to continue to find even more.  Bring your binoculars, look up, and come see what you can find!  See a complete list of species sighted at our "Birds to See" page. 

Clean Up Days are typically scheduled twice a year - one in the spring, and one in the fall. We meet on a Saturday morning for three to fours hours near the community center building. We provide water, bug spray, gloves and trash bags. If you have tools that would make trash collecting easier please bring them along. We generally focus on removing trash and debris from the waterway and along its banks, so it is often helpful to wear waders or rubber boots. Please try to either walk or ride your bikes to the park because parking is limited. Also, please do not bring small children or pets. Hope to see you at our next Clean Up Day! 

Free Movie Night in the park is also usually scheduled on a Saturday evening in the spring and in the fall. The movie is shown in the grassy area on the east side of the community center building. The movie is typically a first run selection that is chosen to entertain a wide audience. We always offer free lemonade and popcorn, but you can also bring a snack of your own. We usually have a door prize to give away as well! So bring your lawn chair or blanket and come join us for a great entertaining night in the park!

The Friends of Woodland Park, Inc. (FWP) is proud to announce that we have had our application to the IRS for tax exempt status (commonly referred to as a 501(c) 3 designation) fully approved by the IRS. In fact it was approved in record time...less than four weeks after submission! As a newly designated "public charity" all financial support we receive qualifies as a charitable deduction for donors' income tax records. Armed with this financial benefit we expect to launch a successful initial fund raising effort for the establishment of hiking trails, the planting of native species, and the removal of invasive species in the near future. Our goals include protecting and preserving the animal and plant habitat contained within the Park, and at the same time making it accessible to visitors. -Friends of Woodland Park.