Hike and bike trail extensions are coming soon to four of Houston's bayous, after City Council on Wednesday agreed to spend $12.5 million for the next phase of Bayou Greenways 2020, a public-private initiative to expand local parks.

The 13 miles of new trails will put Houston a third of the way to its goal of adding 80 miles of trails along the city's nine bayous.

"We can barely get the trails in the ground before people are using them ... so there is a real hunger for this type of system to be in place," Houston Parks Board President and CEO Beth White said. "This is an example of how (government) works really well in partnership with the private sector."

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Bayou Greenways 2020 is a public-private initiative funded with $100 million in bond money voters approved in 2012 and more than $120 million to be raised by the Houston Parks Board.

This year's $12.5 million city investment funds six projects:

  • A new bridge over Brays Bayou Greenway in the East End area's Mason Park 
  • 1.9 miles of trails and 18 acres of greenway along Greens Bayou, from Bell Foster Park to Coolgreen St., in the Northshore area
  • two miles of trails and 43 acres of greenway along Greens Bayou, from Brock Park to East Mt. Houston Rd., in northeast Houston
  • 2.65 miles of trails and 14 acres of greenway connecting Milby Park to Sims Bayou Greenway in southeast Houston
  • five miles of trails and 166 acres of greenway along Sims Bayou connecting Houston Sports Park to Townwood Park in central southwest Houston
  • 1.68 miles of trails and 19 acres of greenway extending White Oak Bayou Greenway to the city limits in northwest Houston

Maps of the projects can be found here.