Last year, the WHCA adopted the Houston Avenue Esplanades near Main Street from the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. We had an idea, that instead of simply maintaining the esplanade by mowing it, which we're happy to say our new landscaping crew is doing a great job of that since this fall, back to our idea. We thought we'd plant the first esplanade in wildflowers so in the spring they would create a great entrance to our neighborhood.
We had a good show of blooms on that esplanade for a first years planting. However, we know it could be better and we're well aware that it takes a little while, good rain, and persistence to create a beautiful wildflower display and we're working on that.
So to keep up with the persistence part (and hoping for rain this winter into spring) WHCA Beautification Director Ryan Taylor with the help of Boy Scout Troop 30 will be out seeding the esplanade with wildflowers on November 15th. Wildflowers like to be seeded in the fall for a spring bloom.
If you see them on the esplanade, first slow down and keep them safe, and then honk your horn to say THANK YOU to everyone that's out planting seeds for the spring.
If you want to know more about the wildflower planting and how you can support the effort and other beautification efforts across our neighborhood, email beautification@woodland-heights.org. Ryan would love to hear from you!
If you want to learn more about planting wildflowers in your own yard here's a great article from .... for you from Texas A&M Agrilife Today
Houston Ave.
Recent Traffic Problems /
Last week, the neighborhood experienced a significant traffic spike as a result of TxDOT’s closure of I-10 to do construction on the Houston Avenue Bridge. This included several 18-wheelers streaming up Watson, despite the sign at Usener and Watson that clearly prohibits such traffic. The WHCA is working with State and City officials, including the Mayor’s office, to make sure that they have a plan in place to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself the next time I-10 or I-45 is shut down. But this is also a reminder of the importance to implement traffic calming measures in the neighborhood. If you would like to join the neighborhood committee that is working with the City on this issue, please email us at infrastructure@woodland-heights.org.
Neighborhood Traffic Study Underway /
Did you notice the traffic monitoring devices recently installed throughout the neighborhood? These devices, which measure both traffic volume and vehicle speeds, are for the initial traffic study for the Woodland Heights Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP). The NTMP is a program administered by the city aimed at reducing cut-through traffic and increasing pedestrian safety on residential streets. The NTMP for Woodland Heights will be a multi-year project and no traffic-calming measures will be implemented without extensive feedback from, and with the approval of, the residents of Woodland Heights.
You’ve probably also noticed the city has recently begun repaving White Oak Dr. between Studemont and Houston Ave. This project is scheduled to be completed by June 30.