Beautification

Texas Parks & Wildlife - Bayou City Episode /  by Woodland Heights Civic Association

  • Take a tour of the last preserved bayou in the Bayou City with Mark Kramer from the Armand Bayou Nature Center and learn of the importance the habitat plays in flood control.

  • Houston Parks & Recreation Department (HPARD) has begun restoring riparian habitat along the bayous. HPARD's Kelli Ondracek discusses the restoration project at Milby Park.

  • Little White Oak Bayou in Woodland Park is among the unique riparian habitats slated for restoration by HPARD.

“Meet some of Houston’s most dedicated bayou conservationists, learn about issues the bayou ecosystem has faced over the past century, and see some hope for keeping an urban area and its watery wilderness in balance.”
— Program 3004 - October 31-November 6, 2021, and May 1- 7, 2022

Lights Out for Birds /  by Woodland Heights Civic Association

The Texas Coast, including the Houston area, is an important migratory path for birds. Most migratory birds fly at night, and lights on buildings can disorient birds on their paths. Businesses and individuals across the city are encouraged to turn off all nonessential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. throughout spring, and especially during the peak period of April 23rd-May 10th.

Curbside native tree project - Trees on sale! /  by Lori Bigler

Curbside Tree Sale
from $0.00

Woodland Heights is known for its beautiful Oak trees. To keep it that way we need to get more trees planted than are being removed.

Curbside trees must be planted in the right of way between the sidewalk and the road.

$100 purchase Includes:

  • One 15 gallon tree

  • Materials for planting (soil, mulch, stakes, tree guard)

  • Naturally replenishing moisture donut/ring

Tree Type:
Add To Cart

Invasive Tree Removal

City of Houston will remove invasive trees at no cost to the homeowner. WHCA will provide a native tree when one becomes available through donation. Select Invasive Tree Replacement at checkout and we will contact you.

Review the HPARD Invasive Plants list to see if you have any on your curbside.

2021 Curbside Tree Project

26 new trees ranging from live oaks, red buds, red maples, shumard oaks, loblolly pine to pecans were purchased from Trees for Houston. Some were placed on homeowners' property while some were donated. Donated trees were planted curbside on blocks which lacked shade plus some were donated to St. Mark's Methodist Church for planting along Redan.

Big shout out of gratitude and thanks to:

Emily Guyre who recruited four St. Thomas High School students: Jackson Guyre, Philip Gallagher, Landon Croker, and Pablo Ramirez. Ben McClure and Eric Nelson rounded out the team. This crew was incredibly hard working and fun despite the rain.

Thank you to those that donated trees on behalf of neighbors and to Nuro, whose donations sponsored trees along Redan at St. Mark's.

Last but certainly not least, we want to shout out a huge thank you to Ms. Saldana, principal of Hogg MS, for graciously allowing us to use their parking lot for drop off and staging of the trees, mulch and stakes! We appreciate it!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Heights Garden Club plant & Seed Swap /  by Alaina Hebert

 
HGC Plant and Seed Swap

We are excited to welcome spring by hosting Heights Garden Club's (HGC) Plant & Seed Swap. We will be set up at the South end of the Norhill Esplanade. WHCA will be setup for Home Tour ticket sales and Constable Patrol sticker pickup.

  • You don't have to be an HGC member to participate but it's open for all to join at https://heightsgardenclub.org/.

  • Bring labeled seeds, clippings, and plants.

  • Bring a chair and your family out to enjoy the day. There will be tables but you may bring your own if you have lots of plants to share.

  • Take plants that will expand varieties in your garden.

  • Native plants are preferred to non-native or invasive plants.

See you Saturday, March 26 from 10-12pm at Norhill Esplanade.

And don’t forget to get your Home Tour Tickets.

 

Nominate for 2022 Board Elections /  by Alaina Hebert

In accordance with the WHCA bylaws, an election will be held at our Annual meeting on the second Tuesday of May. The WHCA is now accepting nominations for seats on the Woodland Heights Civic Association Board.

An election will be held at our 2022 Annual meeting on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 for the following Board of Directors positions:

  • President

  • Dir - Beautification

  • Dir - Communications

  • Dir - Deed Restrictions

  • Dir - Security

Go to the 2022 Nominating Form and nominate yourself or a neighbor - woodland-heights.org/board-elections



Yard of the Month: 922 Bayland /  by Lori Bigler

July Yard of the Month goes to 922 Bayland!  Marcy and Scott Pryor have so much WOW!! going on in their yard. Woodland Heights residents for seven years, they have taken advantage of almost every inch of the front to plant beautiful vignettes, beds and gorgeous planters. Flowering sky vines are being trained up steel cables around the porch and a new arbor is going in at the front sidewalk. Full disclosure: that adorable puppy is mine who had to put up with me taking photos for a few minutes!

Tip O’ The Trowel to Marcy and Scott!  Looks fantastic!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 604 Omar /  by Lori Bigler

Yard of the Month - Tip of the trowel for June goes to 604 Omar. This yard has recently gone through a transformation adding zoysia grass, beautiful potted arrangements and bright new flower beds. Homeowners, Lisa, Matt and their precious baby girl, Eloise now have a gorgeous landscape to look at while they are enjoying their front porch visiting with neighbors or playing in the front yard! Looks fantastic guys!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Curbside Tree Project with Trees for Houston /  by Lori Bigler

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The WHCA is pleased and excited to announce that we are bringing back the Curbside Tree Project for late April in partnership with Trees for Houston. Homeowners will be able to select a tree of their choice for their yards from a selection available in our webstore. The WHCA will coordinate tree ordering, delivery and planting! A menu of trees is forthcoming but we will have a selection such as Live Oak, Bald Cypress, Loblolly Pine, Pecan, Red Maple, Shumard Oak, Redbud, Water Oak, Cedar Elm and possibly more.

  • Trees will be 15 gallon, 6-8' tall with approx. 1 1/2" caliper.

  • Trees will be delivered by WHCA volunteers, and we will be organizing additional volunteers to assist with some of the tree planting.

  • Pre-payment will be required.

  • Tree purchasers will be responsible for watering and maintaining the tree(s). Donut rings which replenish naturally except in really dry weather will also be available for purchase.

  • The total cost to the homeowner for the tree, donut ring and materials (soil, mulch, stakes, tree guard) will be approximately $100.00.

  • If you know of anyone who wants to participate but cannot afford to do so, please let us know and the WHCA will work with them.

  • Please consider making a donation to help cover tree grants for neighbors.

We'd like to get an understanding of the level of interest in the Curbside Tree Project, so if this sounds like something you would participate in, please check out the survey from our email campaign:

Curbside Tree Project

Trees benefit the neighborhood in so many ways from shade, bird and animal habitat, improving air quality, flood protection, improving the value of your home and more! Many trees in Woodland Heights were planted as curbside trees in the 2000s. I have 2 gorgeous live oaks and one huge magnolia in my own yard that were part of the earlier Curbside Projects.

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Friends of Woodland Park Update /  by Lori Bigler

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Friends of Woodland Park would like to thank everyone who helped to clean up our park in November and December.  We had over 100 people participate, including local Heights Girl Scout troops 122195, 122229, 122202, 122036, 122333, 122007, 122251, 122285, 122286, 125076 and 25001.   Troop 122286 had the largest group with a total of 26 participants and won a cupcake party from Friends of Woodland Park.  We were also grateful to have a group from the Friends of PJ Library come and do a family cleanup in January.  We welcome any groups who are interested in helping us keep the park clean and maintained.  If you have any additional photos, please send to photos@friendsofwoodlandpark.org so that we can recognize you and your team. 

Upcoming events include:

March 20, 2021:  Monthly Bird Survey - Join a representative from the local Audubon Society on a bird walk. Meet at the community center (212 Parkview) at 7:30am. Long pants and closed toe shoes are advisable; please bring binoculars if you have them. No experience required. 

March 25-28, 2021: Trash Bash -Trash Bash® is the largest, single-day waterway cleanup in Texas, and we are excited to include Little White Oak Bayou in Woodland Park. Trash Bash® 2021 has been reimagined, but we hope you will join us to "Clean It Like You Mean It!"®. The event will include educational videos, small personal cleanups, and more. Go to http://www.trashbash.org/2021-trash-bashreg.html to learn more and sign up!

We are also interested in hearing from our younger birders and would love to post any bird or wildlife photos taken by any park visitors 18 and under.  We are happy to help identify any plants or wildlife you see in the park, and also recommend the iNaturalist app. Please send pictures to photos@friendsofwoodlandpark.org with your name and any questions you have.        

Did you know that Moody Park and Woodland Park are connected by trail?  On February 1st, the FWP board hiked from Woodland Park to Moody Park along banks of Little White Oak Bayou (LOWB), and then back through Hollywood Cemetery. This hike took several hours at a leisurely pace, with time for discussing some of the landmarks and concerns about the park.  We also observed multitudes of birds, including hawks, cormorants, woodpeckers, egrets, herons, and kingfishers to name a few.  FWP continues to lobby for a maintained trail connection between Woodland Park and Moody Park.  Connectivity and clean-up between our public green spaces is key to preservation, community feel, and public access.  A map of our journey is posted now on our Facebook page.

 If you have not checked out our kiosk in the park lately, you will find a list of the most recent birds spotted at the park, as well as a little history of the park.  You can also find the most recent bird list on the ebird app at https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1995953

Looking to stay up to date on Woodland Park?  Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfWoodlandPark/  or visit our website: https://www.friendsofwoodlandpark.org/  

If you have concerns about the park, please raise them on the City of Houston 311 or you can contact social@friendsofwoodlandpark.org .  The community center is managed by Julia Soto of the Houston Parks Department, and you can contact her at julia.soto@houstontx.gov .

-Friends of Woodland Park Board

Yard of the Month: 605 Omar /  by Lori Bigler

What a month this is for yard of the month! While most of the neighborhood hovers in a monotony of various shades of brown, the Guyres at 605 Omar were able to have color survive through snowmegeddon! A couple of these photos are pre-Uri but the cheerful pansies along the front fence made it through. The Guyres will have the rest of the yard whipped back into shape quickly as you can find the entire family doing yard work most weekends. The color on the porch in those handsome chairs is the adorable Guyre family. They are long-term residents of Woodland Heights and have been active in the neighborhood, especially with the Learn Local program at Hogg and community service.

-Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 501 Teetshorn /  by Lori Bigler

January Yard of the Month goes to 501 Teetshorn on the corner of Helen. The current homeowner purchased the property in 2017. A large southern magnolia anchors the front yard on the western edge. Seasonal beds line the front of the home and add a welcoming entrance to the home. Hog fencing surrounds the property dividing the front and side yard which has a cocktail pool plus more lush landscaping. Citrus and vegetable plants are mixed in the back area and along the driveway.

Tip of the trowel to this friendly neighbor and her two Irish Wolfhounds!

-Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 530 Omar /  by Lori Bigler

December yard of the month goes to 530 Omar!

Amy Morris and Kenny Kurtzman have a lovely, traditional holiday look working in their beautifully landscaped yard. This beautiful home is white, which makes the garlands and wreaths decorating it pop! At night, the house and grounds are lit up in warm white. In the winter, the gardens are layers of various greens punctuated by white roses and occasional color. Olive trees flank their western edge, shading the stone walkway that wraps around their expansive front porch, with roses on the fence wrapping the perimeter of the yardspace. A variety of plantings colorize and accessorize the yard including azaleas, foxtail ferns, fig ivy, gardenias, honeymoon roses, and magnolias. Congratulations!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 815 Merrill /  by Lori Bigler

November yard of the month goes to the fall festival that’s happening at 815 Merrill.  Joanna Queen and her husband, Daniel Dylla moved in 2 years ago with their two girls after doing a renovation to the original bungalow. The front porch is so inviting and is a welcome extra room during this social distancing time. It’s got swings and comfy furniture along with attractive details that encourage you to sit outside and relax, visit or have a cocktail.

Front beds are planted with sandy leaf fig ivy, walking irises, giant liriope and lysmachia. The birch tree is about 30 years old and they planted the maple when we moved in.   Joanna has the Front porch beautifully decorated with pumpkins and chrysanthemums right now.  A fun flock of decorative bats seem lifelike on the walls and in fact flitter off sometimes!

Tip of the trowel to this family for creating such a beautiful yard and outdoor space! Congratulations!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: Parkette at Houston Ave & White Oak /  by Lori Bigler

October's Yard of the Month is an intersection which has undergone HUGE improvements in safety and appearance. The intersection of Houston Ave. and White Oak Drive now has a beautiful area thanks the the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ No. 5. Beautification of the area included new pavement, traffic signals, new bike and pedestrian features as well as landscaping all while providing better crossing conditions and connectivity to the bike trails and park. Even our old clock was refurbished and is a wonderful accent to this area. Greater Northside Management District is providing maintenance of the area. Many thanks to these groups for taking an interest in the southeast corner of our neighborhood and making it a beautiful space.

Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 529 Euclid /  by Lori Bigler

September YOM goes to Larry Hall and Louis Aquino at 529 Euclid.  They have a large number of plantings of various varieties.  Some native, some not, some fruit bearers, some flowering - you get the picture.  Larry and Louis are generous neighbors both in their gardening advice and sharing plants/cuttings.   One can usually find "babies" in pots along their sidewalk which they put out for others to take and enjoy.

Larry purchased this home in 2006, when it was clad in turquoise and yellow aluminum siding, and fenced in chain link.   Photos from the 1920's, show the bungalow painted the original white with no trees, bushes, garage or sidewalk.   It was designed by the same architect as 429 Euclid, which it resembles from the street. 

Louis is the "green thumb" behind all of the plants that have been added.  Crepe myrtles, Jerusalem Thorn and Hibiscus trees line the Northwood sidewalk.  There were grand oak trees in those locations in 2006.  There was a drainage ditch along Northwood in 2006, which was changed when major renovations to the storm drainage systems were completed several years ago. 

Except for the large red bougainvillea on the east side of the front yard, Louis has selected and grown most of the potpourri of plants we have.  Planted on the southwest side of the taller fence, is called the "Flaming Glory", or "Orange Pagoda Flower" .  Other plants that have been added include raspberry, white and purple bougainvillea, Esperanza, red and green Coleus, Lantana, "Fire-cracker" bush, Hyacinths, Cuban Gold, Creeping Fig, various ferns and tulips, and miscellaneous bits of color here and there.  Larry and Louis didn't start out with any kind of plan - they just bought what they liked as they went along.  Lots of potted plants and trees are in the backyard including fruit trees and an avocado tree.

More plantings are coming to accent their new front yard fence.  Louis keeps a large bowl out front for neighborhood dogs as well as lots of bird seed.

 

 

Yard-of-the-Month: 2803 Julian /  by Lori Bigler

Brandon and Kelly Jacob bought the house next door in 1996 and became the third owners of a darling bungalow on a large corner lot.  A  second story addition in  2016 greatly expanded the home and oriented views to the side yard with designs to build a swimming pool.  Instead of a pool, they opted to create several outdoor areas: one with a fireplace, a large pot garden flanked by a fountain,  a separate seating area with swings and a fire pit, and the Piece de Resistance is their Treedeck Oasis with its bright yellow chairs!   
 
While the front yard is planted with many heat tolerants like salvia, Little John bottlebrushes, loropetalum, creeping yews, rosemary and more, their attractive stoop is flanked by pots of succulents which makes it all very inviting.
 
With the heat and social distancing in place, Kelly and Brandon have managed to have a ideal place outside to meet friends, admire the beauty they have created and enjoy the outdoors.  Kudos and a Tip of the Trowel to you!

- Allison Hartzell, Dir of Beautification

Yard-of-the-Month: 607 Gladys /  by Lori Bigler

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July YOTM just yells for red, white and blue decor! 607 Gladys fits that bill. Jayne and Pat who are long time residents and tireless volunteers for the neighborhood have a bounty of color along with July 4 whirligigs.  Their crepe myrtles, dianthuses, and hibiscus really pop out of the lush greenery in their front yard.  Due to COVID distancing, they were not interviewed for this article.
 
If you have a nomination or suggestion for YOM, please email beautification@woodland-heights.org.

- Allison Hartzell, Dir of Beautification

Beware the Gardening Fairies! /  by Lori Bigler

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We have gardening fairies who volunteer their time to weed, water, plant and generally maintain the Watson esplanade that you see as you enter the neighborhood from the south.  These neighbors toil away so please tell them thank you if you see them out and about.

WE THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD LOOKING GOOD!

  • Pat Schaper

  • Pat Rutledge

  • Dan Rueda

  • Nicole Wyman

  • Louise Moss

Also, please give them a wide berth if you see their orange cones out at the esplanade while they are working.  Looks great ya'll!!

Yard-of-the-Month: 528 Highland /  by Lori Bigler

Are you feeling down in the dumps with everything appearing lackluster?  Stroll by 528 Highland at the corner of Northwood for some cheer and vibrancy!  Shannie and Doug Sharp toil away to make their yard a colorful and entertaining oasis. An assortment of bright flowers along with attractive touches like decorative and vintage pots anchor the yard which attracts loads of butterflies and hummingbirds.

Shannie has an antique bench anchoring the corner succulent garden. An old iron spoked wheel sections off her herbs. Beautiful planters on the front steps welcome you to their comfortable porch. Something is always blooming! You can really see Shannie's artistic talent shine through when she decorates her windows and front porch with festive handmade artwork and banners. Accents of yellow and turquoise really brighten things up along with the yellow poodle standing guard next to the front door.  This lovely package is wrapped up in a fence full of Peggy Martin roses!  

The home quarantine has benefited those of us who like to stroll past the house because all the extra time has kept these two owners working more in their beautification efforts!  Kudos to you Sharps!

- Allison Hartzell, Dir of Beautification