Lakes & Trails
Explore six interconnected lakes and the trails, gardens, and wildlife habitats that surround them. With over 8 miles of accessible walking paths, wayfinding signage, and dozens of amenities, Willow Waterhole offers an outdoor experience unlike any other in Houston. Designed to manage stormwater while supporting native ecosystems, the park invites visitors to move through a landscape that blends conservation, recreation, and discovery.
Explore the Lakes
Willow Waterhole Map – Lakes, Trails, and Amenities
A. Westbury Lake
🌿Loop Trail: Kevin Shanley Trail (2.2 miles)
Overview
Westbury Lake is the largest and most visited part of the Greenway, named for the nearby neighborhood it serves. It functions as the park’s central gathering space, with loop trails, shaded seating, butterfly sculptures, a gazebo, and a fishing pier along the shoreline. Whether you're walking, resting, or taking in the view, Westbury Lake brings together many of the Greenway’s most loved features in one place.
Highlights & Features
Bob Schwartz Gazebo and central event lawn
Flagpoles and raised walkway at the main entrance
Scenic overlook with ADA compliant fishing pier
Trails: Karankawa, Akokisa, Ellis Island, Karen Cullar, Pier, West Airport
Naturescape wood animal sculptures (installed 2021)
“Flowers for a Lady” butterfly sculptures (installed 2013)
Elevated Overlook trail with views across the lakes and skyline
Capital Campaign recognition plaque
Picnic tables and benches
Central hub for community events and programs
Location and Parking
📍 The official entrance to the park from Dryad Drive to the west, Gasmer Dr to the north, and Hwy 90 to the south, this lake is at the heart of the park and connects directly to the central parking area and Bob Schwartz Gazebo.
🅿️ Main parking is located at 5300 Dryad Drive, with additional street parking nearby on Ricecrest. Trails lead to the gazebo and lakefront features.
Spotlight Features
“Flowers for a Lady” - Butterfly Sculptures
Three vibrant butterfly sculptures titled Flowers for a Lady installed in 2013 by artist Rosalinda R. Toro. They honor Kathleen Tinsley Ownby’s dedication to Houston parks and symbolize transformation and beauty.
Bob Schwartz Gazebo & Flag Plaza
A community gathering spot dedicated in 2016, this covered structure is used for performances, ceremonies, and everyday shade. It anchors the lake’s western edge and serves as a photo-worthy focal point.
Fishing Pier - ADA Complient
Installed in 2023, this pier offers scenic lake views and an accessible spot for casual fishing. All lakes at Willow Waterhole are connected, providing consistent access to stocked waters.
B. Triangle Lake
🌿Loop Trail: Brown Foundation Trail (.9 miles)
Overview
Triangle Lake, named for the shape formed by its surrounding roads, is a welcoming entry point into the park and a favorite for birders and plant lovers. Trails lead past native prairie gardens, an ancient live oak, and one of the park’s most photographed spots—the Willow Waterhole sign. Nearby access to the Arboretum Trail and Birding Center makes Triangle a great place to start exploring both wildlife and the natural rhythms of the Greenway.
Highlights & Features
Willow Waterhole sign
Outdoor classroom under ancient oak with stone circle seating
Kennedy Scout Pavilion
Jack Rafferty Memorial
Prairie garden and wildflowers
Arboretum Trail with native Texas plants
Birding Center, houses and monthly Audubon counts
Picnic tables and benches
Location and Parking
📍 Surrounded by Gasmer Drive to the north, South Willow Drive to the west, and Ricecrest Street to the east
🅿️ Street parking is available along Ricecrest Street, between South Willow and Gasmer. A paved trail leads directly to Triangle Lake’s loop trail and amenities.
Spotlight Features
Outdoor Classroom
This space includes circular stone seating for group instruction, nature talks, and student-led programs. It’s a popular location for school field trips, scout meetings, and environmental education.
Willow Waterhole Sign
Installed in 2016, the large letter Willow Waterhole sign near Triangle Lake has become a recognizable landmark and photo spot for park visitors. It anchors the lake’s northwest entrance and signals arrival into the park from South Willow Drive.
Jack Rafferty Memorial
The memorial honors long-time supporter Jack Rafferty and was installed near the trail loop in memory of his commitment to the park and Westbury community. It serves as a reflective spot within the prairie garden.
C. Scout Lake
🌿Loop Trail: John M. O’Quinn Foundation Trail (.4 miles)
Overview
Scout Lake may be the smallest of the six, but it plays a meaningful role in the park’s design. Its name honors the many scout-led projects that have helped shape the Greenway, from trail work to conservation. A short loop trail brings visitors close to the lake’s concrete weir, where water enters the basin during storms. With its quiet setting and thoughtful purpose, Scout Lake offers a space to reflect, observe, and connect with nature.
Highlights & Features
Loop trail surrounding the lake
Bayou Trail offering a shaded route alongside The Gathering Place
Menninger Trail connects Scout Lake to Heron Lake behind The Gathering Place
Willow Waterhole Bayou brings a natural edge to the lake and attracts birds and wildlife
Concrete weir helps manage stormwater by directing overflow from the bayou into the lake
Concrete culvert connects to Triangle Lake to balance water during storms.
Location and Parking
📍 Located along South Willow Drive between The Gathering Place and the Self-Storage facility
🅿️ Street parking is available along Ricecrest Street, between South Willow and Gasmer. A paved trail leads directly to Triangle Lake’s loop trail where you can walk to the Dabney Kennedy Scout Pavilion and then cross South Willow to Scout Lake.
Spotlight Features
Bayou Trail
A trail between Scout Lake and The Gathering Place, running from Willow Waterhole Bayou to South Willow Drive. Built by Scouts, it offers a shaded path with a connection to Triangle
Lake by the Dabney Kennedy Pavilion.
Menninger Trail
A shaded gravel route behind The Gathering Place that follows Willow Waterhole Bayou and connects Scout Lake to Heron Lake. The quiet setting and trees make it a favorite for birdwatching and nature walks.
Willow Waterhole Bayou
A four-mile stream that runs through Westbury and Brays
Oaks alongside Scout Lake. It supports birds and other wildlife and plays a key role in directing stormwater into the lake
during heavy rains.
D. Heron Lake
🌿Loop Trail: Audubon Trail (.5 miles)
Overview
Heron Lake is named for the graceful birds that nest nearby and forage along its shoreline, making it one of the park’s top spots for birdwatching. The surrounding Audubon Trail honors Houston Audubon, a key partner in supporting bird habitat and conservation at the park. The trail links to nearby neighborhoods, and a large concrete structure helps manage stormwater flow into the basin, creating a landscape where birds and people thrive.
Highlights & Features
Loop trail circles the lake with views of water, trees and tall grasses
Blue Heron sculpture stands near the trail as a visual landmark
Oversized chair tucked under oak trees creates a photo spot
Picnic tables and benches offer shaded places to pause or gather
Large concrete weir serves as a footbridge and channel to guide stormwater
Donald Perkins Neighborhood Trail provides direct access for nearby residents
Menninger Trail serves as a connector to Scout Lake
Heron nests and sightings make this a top birdwatching location
Concrete culvert connects to Willow Lake to balance water levels during storms
Location and Parking
📍 Located along South Willow Drive, east of The Gathering Place, and west of Clematis Lane
🅿️ Street parking is available along Ricecrest Street, with sidewalk access to Heron Lake’s southwest trail entrance. Additional parking is available at the Clematis Lane North Lot, with sidewalk access leading to the weir bridge and Donald Perkins Neighborhood Trail.
Spotlight Features
Blue Heron Sculpture
Created by Texas artist Jeffie Brewer, this 12-foot metal heron stands along the Audubon Trail as a striking tribute to the birds that frequent Heron Lake. It’s both a visual landmark and a favorite photo stop.
Oversized Wooden Chair under Oak Trees
Set beneath a canopy of mature oaks, this oversized wooden chair offers a quiet place to rest, reflect, or snap a photo. Its playful scale and shady setting make it a favorite stop along the trail.
Stormwater Weir
This large concrete weir channels stormwater from Willow Waterhole Bayou into the lake. Its bridge and channel design slows the flow and supports habitat for birds and aquatic life.
E. Willow Lake
🌿Loop Trail: Kinder Foundation Trail (1.4 miles)
Overview
Willow Lake is a broad loop with open water and one of the most scenic walking paths in the Greenway. Named for the nearby bayou and road, the lake offers a mix of shoreline views, quiet footbridges, and a distinctive wetland section that attracts water birds year-round. It’s a favorite for walkers, birdwatchers, and anyone looking to enjoy a longer, peaceful route through the park.
Highlights & Features
Willow Waterhole sign
Outdoor classroom under ancient oak with stone circle seating
Kennedy Scout Pavilion
Jack Rafferty Memorial
Prairie garden and wildflowers
Arboretum Trail with native Texas plants
Birding Center, houses and monthly Audubon counts
Picnic tables and benches
Location and Parking
📍 Surrounded by Gasmer Drive to the north, South Willow Drive to the west, and Ricecrest Street to the east
🅿️ Street parking is available along Ricecrest Street, between South Willow and Gasmer. A paved trail leads directly to Triangle Lake’s loop trail and amenities.
Spotlight Features
Jack Rafferty Memorial
The memorial honors long-time supporter Jack Rafferty and was installed near the trail loop in memory of his commitment to the park and Westbury community. It serves as a reflective spot within the prairie garden.
Willow Waterhole Sign
Installed in 2016, the large letter Willow Waterhole sign near Triangle Lake has become a recognizable landmark and photo spot for park visitors. It anchors the lake’s northwest entrance and signals arrival into the park from South Willow Drive.
Outdoor Classroom
This space includes circular stone seating for group instruction, nature talks, and student-led programs. It’s a popular location for school field trips, scout meetings, and environmental education.
F. Prairie Lake
🌿Loop Trail: Cullen Foundation Trail (1.2 miles)
Overview
Prairie Lake is named for the native grasslands that stretch across this side of the Greenway. It borders the Prairie Management Area, a protected habitat for hundreds of plant species including the endangered Texas prairie dawn flower. The lake offers wide open views, frequent bird activity, and a strong sense of connection to Houston’s natural heritage.
Highlights & Features
Willow Waterhole sign
Outdoor classroom under ancient oak with stone circle seating
Kennedy Scout Pavilion
Jack Rafferty Memorial
Prairie garden and wildflowers
Arboretum Trail with native Texas plants
Birding Center, houses and monthly Audubon counts
Picnic tables and benches
Location and Parking
📍 Surrounded by Gasmer Drive to the north, South Willow Drive to the west, and Ricecrest Street to the east
🅿️ Street parking is available along Ricecrest Street, between South Willow and Gasmer. A paved trail leads directly to Triangle Lake’s loop trail and amenities.
Spotlight Features
Outdoor Classroom
This space includes circular stone seating for group instruction, nature talks, and student-led programs. It’s a popular location for school field trips, scout meetings, and environmental education.
Willow Waterhole Sign
Installed in 2016, the large letter Willow Waterhole sign near Triangle Lake has become a recognizable landmark and photo spot for park visitors. It anchors the lake’s northwest entrance and signals arrival into the park from South Willow Drive.
Jack Rafferty Memorial
The memorial honors long-time supporter Jack Rafferty and was installed near the trail loop in memory of his commitment to the park and Westbury community. It serves as a reflective spot within the prairie garden.
Prairie Lake
Completed in 2015, Prairie Lake stands out as the only water compartment located east of S. Post Oak Rd., offering a stunning and uninterrupted view of its 73 acres of tranquil water and the surrounding native prairie preserve. At the lake’s southeast edge, where Gasmer Dr. dead-ends, visitors can take in the expansive beauty of the lake, which is framed by vibrant native plant life.
This lake is home to one of Texas' rarest natural treasures—the endangered Texas prairie dawn flower (Hymenoxys texana), which grows along the lake’s edge. The surrounding area is designated as a Prairie Management Area, preserved by the Harris County Flood Control District. Encompassing 15 acres, this protected zone supports over 300 coastal prairie species, with 244 species native to Texas, making it a vital area for biodiversity and conservation.
Although access to the Prairie Management Area is currently restricted, the future promises even more opportunities for visitors to explore and appreciate this unique ecosystem. Planned enhancements include trails, benches, a footbridge, scenic viewing areas with picnic tables, and an outdoor classroom, all designed to immerse visitors in the natural beauty of the area while providing educational experiences.
Prairie Lake not only serves as an important flood control reservoir but also as a thriving habitat for native plants and wildlife, preserving a crucial slice of the region’s natural heritage.
4700 Gasmer Dr, Houston, TX 77035
The Naturescape Garden, located near the parking lot, features intricately carved tree trunks and overlooks the lake, providing an inviting space for children and families to explore. The area also boasts a cross-country racing trail and walking trail that circle the lake, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.
Adding to the charm, three large butterfly sculptures—“Flowers for a Lady”—were installed in 2013 by sculptor Rosalinda Toro to honor Kathleen Tinsley Ownby for her support of art installations across Houston. These vibrant sculptures add a creative touch to the natural beauty of the area.
Hymenoxys Texana
is a rare species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. The tiny yellow plant, which blooms in early spring, is known by the common names Texas prairie dawn-flower and Texas bitterweed. Endemic to Texas, it is found only in the general vicinity of Houston, where it is threatened by the loss of its prairie habitat.