Fall 2026 Page 2
Celebrating the Partners
Behind the Boardwalk Trail
On April 8, the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy hosted a thank-you tour for the generous organizations that funded the new Boardwalk Trail at the Native Prairie Preserve. The all-star lineup included the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Kinder Foundation®, the Brown and Cullen Foundations, and the River Oaks Garden Club. Also in attendance were representatives from the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) and the engineering firm HR Green.
The Boardwalk Trail is a wonderful asset for our community. It allows visitors to experience a rare native coastal prairie, of which only 1% remains today due to urbanization and agricultural use. When the site was identified by HCFCD, more than 265 native plant species were found within the 15-acre preserve, including one endangered species (Texas Prairie Dawn) and two threatened species (Houston Camphor Daisy and Texas Windmill Grass). The ADA-accessible trail features educational signage, a viewing platform, a resting area, and an outdoor classroom.
The Boardwalk Trail project completes a series of major accessibility improvements made possible by the WWGC's $12 million Discover Your Greenway capital campaign. Other projects led by the Conservancy included the construction of 8 miles of hiking and biking trails, four new parking areas, five safe street crossings, a fishing pier, wayfinding signage, park benches and tables, security enhancements, and hundreds of new trees.
Thank you to all the donors, volunteers, advisors, community leaders, and contractors who made these projects a reality!
MAKE AN IMPACT
Explore the many ways you can support Willow Waterhole and help make a lasting impact where nature and community thrive.
Supporting Willow Waterhole
goes beyond one-time
donations. From monthly
giving and employer match
programs to legacy gifts,
in-kind donations, and even
sponsorships, there are many ways to make a lasting difference. Every contribution, big or small, helps us protect this 291-acre urban oasis for wildlife, recreation, and the community.
Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy Recognized as a Cougar 100 Honoree
On April 21, the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy was recognized by the University of Houston as a Cougar 100 fastest-growing organization. Between 2020 and 2024, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) Conservancy grew from an organization with approximately $20,000 in annual funding for conservation and maintenance activities to one that successfully raised an additional $12 million for accessibility improvements throughout the Greenway.
Completed projects included the construction of eight miles of new ADA-accessible trails, four new parking areas, five safe street crossings, a fishing pier, a boardwalk through the Native Prairie Preserve, way-finding and educational signage, security enhancements, and additional benches, picnic tables, and trees.
Representing the Conservancy at the awards luncheon were University of Houston alumni Bill Burhans (MBA '86, WWGC Past President) and Danny Haskin (MBA '98, WWGC Board Member)
Click below to explore all the ways you can give and grow your impact.
Ways to Give
Become a Member
Make a One-Time or Monthly Donation
Honor a Loved One
Corporate Matching Gifts
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
IRA Charitable Distributions
Planned Giving
A Full Day of Music at
Willow Waterhole
MusicFEST returned to Willow Waterhole for its 12th annual celebration, filling the Greenway with a full day of free live music, family activities, and community spirit. Families, friends, and neighbors gathered on the lawn to enjoy performances by local student musicians and professional artists, culminating in a headlining set by Skyrocket.
Guests also enjoyed food trucks, a beer and wine garden, games for kids, community booths, and the opportunity to explore the Greenway's lakes, trails, and blooming bluebonnets. Familiar festival t-shirts from years past served as a reminder that MusicFEST has become a beloved Willow Waterhole tradition.
This year's festival also highlighted an exciting milestone. Mayor John Whitmire joined Sharon Yazowski, President and CEO of the Levitt Foundation, along with representatives from City Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum's office, TIRZ 20, and Levitt Pavilion Houston, to celebrate plans for the transformation of the adjacent former Shell property. The project will create a new gateway and gathering space, including the future home of Levitt Pavilion Houston.
MusicFEST continues to reflect the simple idea of bringing people together through music while introducing new visitors to everything Willow Waterhole has to offer. As plans for the Greenway continue to unfold, even more people will have the opportunity to gather, connect, and enjoy this special place.
