Infrastructure - Keeping Up With Construction /  by Brian Edmondson

By Brian Edmondson

White Oak & Studewood Construction Update
Neighbors have likely noticed the construction activity at White Oak Drive and Studewood Street appears to be nearing completion. However, we've recently had another water line leak at the same intersection, so we'll have to see how this might affect the final timeline.

What's This Project All About?
All this activity is part of METRO's BOOST 56 Airline/Montrose project, designed to improve transit and pedestrian safety from Cavalcade all the way to the Texas Medical Center. Think of it as a major transportation upgrade for our area.

The Timeline
Back in 2021, METRO completed Phase One, rebuilding 1.5 miles of Studewood Street from Cavalcade to White Oak. That work set the foundation for the improvements we're seeing now in our immediate area.

What We're Getting
When construction wraps up, we'll have:

  • Three new or upgraded bus stops near Woodland Heights

  • Improved sidewalks and crosswalks

  • Better pedestrian ramps and street crossing

The Bottom Line
Yes, the construction has been disruptive, especially combined with the nearby I-10 reconstruction work. But the end result will be safer, more accessible connections for bus riders, pedestrians, and neighbors alike.

Share Your Ideas for Neighborhood Improvements
Your wish list could become reality! Our District H Council member's office is planning investments for 2026 and wants to hear from residents about projects that could be funded through the Council District Service Fund (CDSF).

This is our chance to speak up about what Woodland Heights needs most. Whether you're tired of dodging sidewalk hazards on your morning walk or dreaming of a safer street crossing, now's the time to make your voice heard.

Ideas That Could Make a Real Difference
Here are some projects that would be particularly impactful for our neighborhood:

  • Sidewalk repairs and upgrades - especially along school routes and busy pedestrian areas where cracked concrete has become an obstacle course.

  • Traffic calming measures - speed bumps, better signage, or intersection improvements for streets where cars treat residential roads like racetracks

  • Pedestrian safety upgrades - improved crosswalks, curb ramps, and lighting for safer navigation

  • And here's a specific idea: How many of you would love to see a dedicated left-turn signal on White Oak Drive turning onto Studewood? No more playing traffic roulette!

The Power of Speaking Up Together
Here's the thing about traffic calming measures and many other improvements - they often require civic association support to gain traction. If you're dealing with speeding cars on your street or have safety concerns, please shoot us a quick email. When we can show the Council office that multiple neighbors share the same concerns, our requests carry much more weight.

Don't Forget About 311
While you're thinking about neighborhood improvements, keep using 311 for repair needs too. Those sidewalk fixes we've seen around Woodland Heights? Many came from 311 requests. Sometimes the squeaky wheel really does get the grease, especially when multiple people report the same issue. Pro tip: Requests that help kids get to school safely or assist elderly and disabled neighbors often get bumped up the priority list.

Take Action
The survey takes just a few minutes to complete. While there isn't a firm deadline yet, responding sooner rather than later ensures our neighborhood's priorities make it into the planning process.

Ready to help shape Woodland Heights for the better? Your input could be the difference between another year of the same old problems and actually seeing positive changes in our community. Visit  houstontx.us21.list-manage.com/track/click?u=82968f3a7f5b11224382e4651&id=9362aa22fa&e=6a794c3b8b and take the survey.

WHCA/Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program /  by Ryan Taylor

The WHCA Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program is up and running! The inaugural round of Holiday Flags have been placed by Boy Scout Troop 30 at subscriber homes. If you placed an order and your flag did not go up last week....please note that it will be up for Veterans Day. We had a slight delay in getting all the orders in by the deadline for the installation of the sleeves as some houses, your subscription will begin in November with Veterans Day. We thank you for your understanding.

Since the program began, 45 neighbors have signed up for the Holiday Flag Program, to support both Boy Scout Troop 30 and the WHCA's Beautification section.

Troop 30 was founded on February 14, 1925, and is one of the oldest continuously active troops in the Sam Houston Area Council. They are located at  St. Mark's United Methodist Church right here in Woodland Heights.

Cy Maresh, Fundraising Chair for Troop 30, recently underscored the important fundraising role this new program plays for our neighborhood Boy Scouts."The WHCA Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program is not just a subscription, it's a commitment to our community. It will help subsidize monthly outings, scholarships for leadership training, and camping scholarships for families with limited means, making a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors.

Your $120 yearly subscription is not just a contribution, but a vital part of Troop 30's journey towards meeting its scouting goals, and at the same time, supporting WHCA. Your support is what makes this program possible.

Don't miss this opportunity to support Troop 30 and WHCA. Subscribe today and let the flags fly high in our neighborhood!

HOLIDAYS

  • President’s Day

  • Memorial Day

  • Flag Day

  • Independence Day

  • Labor Day

  • Veteran’s Day

We deeply appreciate your support for Boy Scout Troop 30 and the WHCA. Your contribution makes a significant difference in our community. To subscribe and for payment information, visit www.woodland-heights.org or click on the button below and subscribe today!

For more information on Boy Scout Troop 30 or 3TO visit their website. 

WHCA Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program

Paws Up - Meet Louis /  by Michael Graves

Our First Pet of the Month 
By Estella Espinosa

We thought we'd start a Pet of the Month feature in the newsletter. Partly because we like pets (dogs and cats - oh and from my part practically any other creature except for snakes well I don't actually dislike them just want to stay away from them). I digress, getting back to the Pet of the Month the second reason we see a lot of neighbors walking their dogs in the morning and evening. So we thought this we'd take a moment to introduce you to a few pets you might see around the neighborhood when you're out on a walk.

Louis, is a Cirneco dell’Etna, and is named after Louis Prima, the Sicilian-American-New Orleans jazz musician. He's one of our pup El Dogo Julio's friends who call themselves the 'Beauchamp Springs Canine Mafia' because of the area the live in near Beauchamp Springs.

"My family is from Louisiana, and the breed is Sicilian, so we thought it was perfect," Karen Sonnier explained. "We stumbled upon Louis and his breed after the loss of our vizsla, looking for a new pup to bring home.  Luckily, the breeder just had new pups looking for homes. He looked a lot like a mini vizsla. He really is the boss of our house, but he pays you back with big cuddles regularly. He loves all dogs and is always trying to figure out humans. When we first brought him home, he was so shy that we couldn’t get him to leave the backyard, and now he loves to get out and meet other dogs on his 2-hour-long walks a day, sometimes longer. He never wants to go home. He can often be found looking out the front windows or the gate. He just likes to watch and get attention."

Louis is a very friendly pup, and he lives with his paw-rents Karen Sonnier and Brian Miksch. Wave a paw when you see them walking down the street in our neighborhood.

Want us to feature your favorite pet or nominate one for pet of the month? Let us know, send in your nomination along with a photo to communications@woodland-heights.org.

Super Neighborhood 15 Considers Greater Heights Strategic Connections /  by Michael Graves

Most people are really busy in their daily lives. When they come to see changes around the city they are typically surprised – and not always for the better. That doesn’t have to be the case. At a recent Super Neighborhood 15 meeting civic associations board members were briefed on the plans to develop “Greater Heights Strategic Connections.”  We are passing the information on to the Woodland Heights neighborhood so you can provide your input and have the opportunity to voice your opinion during this planning process.

This process is currently in its earliest stage, which involves studying what might be possible or desirable. They are literally asking how we might like to get around in the future. So, now is the time for neighbors to speak up.

Who is Super Neighborhood 15 - You Might Ask
Super Neighborhood 15, aka The Greater Heights, includes; Clark Pines Civic Assoc., East Sunset Heights, Houston Heights Association, Montie Beach Civic Club, Norhill Neighborhood Association, Sunset Heights Civic Club and our own Woodland Heights Civic Association. SN15 meets every second month at the old Fire Station on 12th Street. This month the focus of the meeting was a presentation sponsored by The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ5) on the plans to develop “Greater Heights Strategic Connections.”

“Greater Heights Strategic Connections” that’s certainly a mouthful, but nebulous. What does it mean? Simply put, TIRZ5 has commissioned a consulting team comprised of TEI Planning + Design, supported by Toole Design Group, to craft a comprehensive plan for how people will move about the neighborhood in the future. That’s to include;

  • Identify key improvements that enhance safe access to schools, parks, community destinations, and local businesses.

  • Build on local assets such as White Oak Bayou, MKT Trail, Nicholson Trail, Shepherd Durham Bikeway, and more.

The presentation was made by Clint McManus of TEI Planning + Design. The slide deck he used is available here.

The scope of the project is quite large. It will include Districts C and H, Super Neighborhoods 14, 15, & 22 in Harris County Precincts 1 & 4. Setting aside roads, it’s an effort create a long-term strategy for mobility that includes all forms of transport, including; bikes, pedestrians, strollers, rollerblades, or whatever else might arise. It’s an effort to make a substantial part of the city better connected and accessible perhaps without resorting to the automobile. Once the plan is in place, it serves as the basis for seeking funding to enact a phased implementation.

This is an example of The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ5) working in partnership with several other organizations to plan for better mobility options as the city continues to grow. To do this well they need all our input now. It’s our job as a civic association to make sure you know that you have an opportunity (some might think obligation!) to add your voice to the process. If we all engage, we can ensure that the eventual outcome delivers safe and efficient mobility for everyone.

You can have you say by completing their “Community Vision Survey.” There’s a separate process they call “Map My Vision” that lets you enter the routes you commonly travel through the area, so they can better understand the flow of traffic.

This is an example of The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ5) working in partnership with several other organizations to plan for better mobility options as the city continues to grow. To do this well they need all our input now. It’s our job as a civic association to make sure you know that you have an opportunity (some might think obligation!) to add your voice to the process. If we all engage, we can ensure that the eventual outcome delivers safe and efficient mobility for everyone.

WHCA Constable Patrol Activity Report /  by Beth Sorensen

Working Diligently to Keep Woodland Heights Safe

June 1 - June 30, 2025 - Total Calls 662
By Beth Sorensen

Keeping Woodland Heights Safe This Summer

By Beth Sorensen
On July 4, Deputies Suggs and Lemons joined us for our annual Kids Bike Parade on the Norhill Esplanade. Their presence helped keep traffic calm and our kids safe as they paraded and played, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy the event. 

Beyond supporting events like these, our Deputies work hard year-round to keep Woodland Heights safe. From patrolling our streets to responding to calls, they’re a reassuring presence in our neighborhood. Summertime is especially busy, as many of our Constable Program members take advantage of vacation watches—a service where Deputies check on your home while you’re away, giving you peace of mind and an extra layer of security. 

We’re grateful for Deputies Suggs and Lemons and all they do to protect and care for our community! If you’re not yet a member of the Constable Program and would like to enjoy benefits like vacation watches, we’d love to have you join us in keeping Woodland Heights safe.

Please reach out to me at security@woodland-heights.org if you have any questions or issues with your membership. 

Yard of the Month: 802 Woodland - Henri and Janet Tallichet /  by Ryan Taylor

By Ryan Taylor

Henri and Janet Tallichet, have lived in their bungalow on Woodland Street for 17 years.

"We moved from Memorial and being home builder and landscaper, we had a lot of fun with the revival of the place," Janet told us as we interviewed her regarding her home and its garden.  

She credits her green thumb and love for landscaping to her grandmother and mother. And her choice of profession to a realization that adding machines and offices did not suit her.

"As a kid my thumbs were always in the dirt but not planting. I watched my maternal grandmother garden at their ranch home in East Texas and my mother in her Houston gardens which surely saved her sanity with 4 kids. I initially chose to be a CPA but really hated it.I did not thrive with the 10 key and closed spaces so I decided to literally dig in everybody’s dirt! My best idea was to take the Master Gardeners class at the Harris County Agricultural Service Offices and I recommend it to any aspiring gardener."

Her garden is filled with natives that combine her landscapers knowledge of both natives and plantings that enjoy Houston's climate.

"Of course all of my plants are native to somewhere.The original plantings were acquired from Treesearch Farms, a nursery that deals in native plants.In general, the foundation plants are either native or of a very similar climate. Many Chinese plants love Houston and my happiest plants are the Chinese Fringe trees in the north west front and at the Watson midpoint. I don’t recommend them to someone who wants a tidy, polite yard though."

Janet's favorite gardening stores include resources she's become familiar with as from her work, 

"I have been a professional landscaper for years and worked to keep in the good graces of my favorite suppliers.My main go- to is Wholesale Gardens in Bellaire but my true love is Treesearch Farms."

When viewing her yard you'll find Peggy Martin Rose trellising the iron fence along the Watson side. Bedding plants include salvia faranaciea and some roudy interlopers who have found their way in making themselves at home along with some "out of control pink & white flowers" Vincas who were grown from seed.

Her garden provides a great home for garden dwellers both of the flying and crawling variety ...

" Everything in my yard is alive. Even, sometimes, Ol’ Rosco. My recommendation is to shop reputable nurseries, who are willing to answer questions, and really know what there doing.Another option is to study books that are written with Native, Southeast Texas and our Humidity in mind. Anything goes (almost)."

Like so many gardeners ... the choice of what goes into Janet's garden is simply a matter of taste,

"I see it, I want it and then hopefully have a place for it." 

As with most gardeners, there's always the pleasure of getting into the garden and working to create something that you love.

"Like a good mother, I have no favorites, every part gets my special attention and makes me happy."

She does make an exception for one well known Houston favorite,

"A giant old oak!"

Like most gardeners, Janet has favorite and not so favorite parts when it comes to gardening. 

"Most favorite is just being in the dirt...Worst is mosquitoes and Roscoe’s pungent little gifts."

Regarding being this month's Yard of the Month, Janet responded,

"It's Fun!I I love to share.

This is Gonna Be Treemendous! /  by Michael Graves

WHCA at Work Amongst the Trees

This is another in a series detailing some of the largely unseen things that WHCA does for the neighborhood. This time we’ll consider the case of the trees on the Norhill Esplanade. It’s been noted that they are in need of trimming. WHCA has officially adopted the Norhill Esplanade, which means we’re responsible for its maintenance. The fact that we’re well into hurricane season gives some people a sense of urgency about this.

You’d think this a simple matter. Call a contractor. Get it done! Ryan Taylor, WHCA Director of Beautification, takes charge of the matter, getting a quote from an arborist. Alas, that quote comes in at around the price of a good used car!

At this point it’s good remind you that the WHCA is a Civic Association. Not a Homeowners Association. Membership in a civic association is voluntary, and the membership dues are small, just $20-50/household/year. In contrast, membership in an HOA is mandatory and their fees are significant, often more than $1k/household/year. The natural consequence of this is that WHCA simply cannot afford to spend $20k+ on trimming trees. We must find another way.

While not well-resourced, we are resourceful. We reach out to the office of the city forester at the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. They are charged with supporting the trees across the entire city. They routine engage contractors to trim trees. Ryan, Stella & I meet with one of the forestry staff on the esplanade to survey the situation.

He agrees that it needs to be done. They will put the Norhill Esplanade in their queue. We also agree upon the nature of the work, to ensure that the trees are appropriately trimmed. On this basis, HPARD will, at some point in the future, have a contractor trim the trees.

But wait! We’re not done yet! There are two CenterPoint power lines that traverse the Norhill Esplanade. By law, HPARD staff or contractors cannot trim near power lines. So naturally, we reach out to CenterPoint. A flurry of emails ensue.

Tim Yurick, Manager of Vegetation Management, reaches out to Onyekachi Ejim, Senior Forester, who advises that “…4 spans of tree trimming needed for this location. We will address as soon as we have a work order available.”

At this point, we’ve done all we can. We wait.

To their credit, CenterPoint acted swiftly. They had Trees, Inc do the work only a week of two following this initial engagement. We’re still waiting and hoping for HPARD to take care of the rest.

PS – Thanks to neighbor and former WHCA board member Stacey Kmetz, who works at CenterPoint, for connecting us with the right people at the company.

Home Tour - In Search of Historic Homes Spring 2026 /  by Louise Moss

TBA on time and homes to be toured

The WHCA Home Tour is the neighborhood's largest fundraiser, netting almost $44,000 in 2024, thanks to the many volunteers, local business sponsors, and enthusiastic tour participants. Be sure to stay tuned for more details regarding homes on the tour route.

Currently, the Home Tour Committee is seeking neighbors with historic homes who would like to volunteer their homes for inclusion on the route. The WHCA would appreciate your help in nominating or volunteering your historic home for consideration.

If you have a historic Woodland Heights Home and would like to be considered for the 2026 Home Tour, please get in touch with Louise Moss at limoss@comcast.net or Megan Mastal at mmastal@insightspr.com. The Home Tour Committee will begin viewing potential homes in June. The goal is to showcase Woodland Heights' historic charm with homes of various sizes, architectural styles, and décor. All homes need to be original, but renovations and additions are welcome.

President's Report: July 2025 /  by Michael Graves

The fourth WHCA Member’s Meeting of the year was held on Tuesday, July 8th in the great room at Zion Lutheran Church.

Now that we’re well into summer, I expected a modest group attending. Even so, and despite some late afternoon rain, some 23 neighbors gathered to hear our guests and receive an update on WHCA activities.

Act One

The first guest was Thomas Wheaton, Director of Communications from CM Castillo’s District H Office. He highlighted the council member’s Prop A initiative to move the last public session each month into the evening. WHCA is one of many civic clubs that signed onto a letter to the mayor and council in support of this proposal.

The simple fact is that working people find it challenging to go to the afternoon public sessions. This fundamentally alters the feedback that council gets from the residents. A late afternoon or evening session will improve the chances that council hears representatives on all sides of any particular issue.

City council took up the issue the following day, and it passed! The first evening session is going to be 6pm Tuesday, August 26th. Now it’s up to us to attend these sessions, to show council that they have real merit.

Mr. Wheaton concluded by handing out a flier asking everyone to fill out the 2026 Council District Service Fund (CDSF) Survey. This is an effort to collect community input spending priorities, including; public safety, sidewalks, parks and more.

Act TWO

The second guest speaker was Sherry Weesner, President of The Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (aka TIRZ5.) Sherry outlined a number of projects in the area, eventually settling on a new effort that focuses on updating Stude Park.

The headline here is that HPARD and TIRZ5 have committed $1M to improvements to the park. The process starts with an evaluation of state of the park, and study of how it might be improved to better address how it’s used. The first capital project will be a playground renovation.

Sherry emphasized that the study will require significant public input from park users. She urged the assembled audience to make their voices heard in that process, to ensure the project reflects the needs of the community. As more information including meeting dates becomes available WHCA will be sure to provide information on how you can make your voices heard.

The final phase of her presentation answered the question, “What is a TIRZ and how does it work?” This little civics lesson was follow-up to the very basic intro to TIRZ and management districts that was part of the March Member’s Meeting.

Act THREE

Louise Moss rose to give an update on plans for the 2026 Woodland Heights Home Tour. The committee heads are still seeking homes to profile. If you’d like your home to be considered, or know of a home you think should be considered, please contact Louise Moss or Megan Mastal.

There are just a few weeks left in this stage of the process. In the late summer they will be selecting the homes to be featured, such that photographs can be taken before the holiday season is upon us.

Later in the year, they will be seeking volunteers to help with the execution of the event. It takes over one hundred fifty people to act as docents, guiding attendees through the historic homes.

Act Four

Lauren Snead followed with an update on the Lights in the Heights Bash. The 2025 LITH Bash will be held the evening of Thursday, November 13 at the historic Heights Fire Station on 12th Street. . Many thanks to the Houston Heights Association for partially sponsoring the event venue costs, we welcome their sponsorship of the event.

Lauren was seeking a new co-chair to help plan the event. Danielle Garcia has stepped up and will be co-chairing the Bash with Lauren! Welcome aboard Danielle so very happy to have you working with Lauren!

Volunteers and donations for both the live and silent auctions are needed. In the past, the auction has featured a wide variety of items, for example, a week in a country house, sports tickets, home & yard services, jewelry, photographs or paintings, fine wine, and fine dining gift cards.

If you would like to engage in any fashion please contact: bash@woodland-heights.org

HIM Food Pantry: Tips For The Well-Intended But Very Busy /  by Michael Graves

In 2025, Woodland Heights is an affluent neighborhood. We are truly blessed to enjoy the quality of life that we do. It’s incumbent upon us to share some of our good fortune, to give a hand up to others who are in need. In a country and neighborhood like ours, no-one should go hungry.

Earlier this month Zion Lutheran Church held a service camp. A group of young people undertook a week of various projects in service to the community. One of the things they did was to distribute contribution bags for the Houston Interfaith Ministries (HIM) Food Pantry throughout the neighborhood. Some of these bags were available at our July Member’s Meeting. We made sure that any remaining were also distributed to porches in the neighborhood.

The bags get distributed, but only a portion are filled for collection. Everyone is so very busy with the basics of life. Work, home, kids. It can be a lot. It can be difficult to make time for the other things we might want to do, like dealing with the HIM Food Pantry contribution bags. So, I’m here to offer a couple of tips on ways you can help that take very little time or effort.

Amazon

HIM Food Pantry maintains an Amazon Wish List. That means that you can make a contribution of they very things that they really need, right from the comfort of your own home or office. Heck, do it from your phone while you’re waiting to pickup the kids or going through the car wash!

Kroger

Woodland Heights is literally hemmed in by Kroger stores. So, chances are very good that you shop at Kroger. You can link your Kroger Plus card to Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry (organization #NR183.) Once this is done, every time you shop at Kroger, the company will send a small amount to the Food Pantry. It costs you nothing except a few minutes to get it setup. We’re told that such ongoing contributions are a significant source of revenue to the Food Pantry. Click here to get started.

There you have it! Two ways to help those in need, with very little effort. Of course, for the more traditional, you can always drop donations to the “Feed Frank” depository in the parking lot at: Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry, 3523 Beauchamp, Houston, TX 77009.

Cycling Into the 4th - WHCA Kids Bicycle Parade /  by Woodland Heights Civic Association

Our neighborhood came alive on the 4th as we all joined in the celebration. The annual 4th of July Kids Bicycle Parade on the Norhill esplanade was a vibrant display of our community spirit, with free watermelon, face painting, popsicles, and waterloos adding to the festive atmosphere.

Our newest board member, Dallas Jagneaux Boyle, and her husband, Travis Boyle, played a pivotal role in coordinating this first event in her new tenure as  Director of Membership. Their dedication and hard work made this a successful event. We look forward to seeing more of their efforts in the upcoming months as they continue to bring new events to our neighborhood meetings. Stay tuned!

Our parade was led by a unique feature, a 1930 Ford Coupe, driven by Charles Philpott, a proud member of the Restorer Model A Ford Club of America.  This vintage automobile, a cherished part of his family's history, has been in their possession for an impressive 65 years. To learn more about this vintage automobile, visit the July 4th newsletter in the WHCA Newsletter Archives.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to parade pace setters Travis and Michael Graves, who led the parade behind Charles, with a celebratory flag runner to keep all the kiddos safe and behind the Ford Coupe. Their voluntary efforts and dedication made the event a success. They did a great job, so kudos to them for their run.

Our WHCA Constable Patrol Precinct 1 Deputies, Jacob Lemmons and Amanda Suggs, played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of our little ones. Their diligent work in making sure the kiddos knew the safety rules before the start of the parade, and their continuous efforts during the event, made sure everyone had a safe and enjoyable ride.

President's Report: What's in a Name? /  by Michael Graves

My early life reads like an outline of the screenplay for Wayne’s World. Community cable TV production, love of music, Queen…all of it. I developed a deep love of the technology of media and the arts. I spent my professional life oscillating between those two spaces. Along the way, I’ve done quite a lot of writing. Writing for magazines, newsletters, multiple websites, blogging, and most recently, this newsletter.

Further, I have a deep love of comedy. I’m drawn to the silly, with great admiration for the likes of Adams, Carlin, Python, and Yankovic. This naturally gives rise to an appreciation of the subtleties of language. And occasionally, despite my best efforts, I exhibit some amount of pedantry.

I joined the WHCA for the first time in January 2017 in the role of Director of Communications. In that role, I was responsible for the website and the newsletter. I did my best to address my responsibilities. One of the things I did was to create a modern version of the WHCA boundary map in Adobe Illustrator. This replaced a much older map (in a raster format) that didn’t have much detail. From this exercise, I think I have a reasonable grasp of where Woodland Heights begins and ends. At least generally, where it is and isn’t.

So, I was a bit surprised to recently find The Leader running a story promoting a new apartment building east of White Oak Music Hall. The story very clearly stated that the building was in "Woodland Heights." I think I can say with certainty that Woodland Heights does not extend east of I-45. Traveling east of I-45 along North Main, you enter Glen Park, which is part of The Near Northside. I have friends who live over there.

It's plain that "The Heights" holds much appeal for marketers. While a portion of the Houston Heights, as classically defined, was south of I-10, recent developments include "The Lower Heights," which pushes east to include the new Home Depot, on over to Sawyer Street. This is not in any way associated with "The Heights" from a historical perspective. That doesn't stop developers from leveraging proximity to "The Heights" when promoting their projects. The Heights is a very walkable neighborhood. The Lower Heights much less so.

A real estate developer seeking to promote a new multi-story apartment building on Keene Street attempts to add value by an association with Woodland Heights. Woodland Heights is a more recognizable brand than Glen Park or The Near Northside. It's worth mentioning that Glen Park is zoned to Travis Elementary School. There simply are no multi-story apartment buildings in Woodland Heights.

As president of WHCA, I felt uniquely positioned to see this erroneous claim corrected. So, I reported it to The Leader. To my surprise, the author responded promptly, promising to correct the error. It took them a couple weeks, but they eventually made good on that promise. The article now refers to the six-story building on Keene Street as part of the "emerging White Oak District," even though the article's URL still refers to Woodland Heights.

Even that language is amusing and familiar. Last year, when seeking sponsors for Lights in the Heights 2024, we used "White Oak Entertainment District" to describe the collection of bars, restaurants, and shops along White Oak Drive, from Michaux West to Heights Boulevard.

There are myriad neighborhoods in the vast city of Houston. We all love it here in Woodland Heights. We appreciate the character of the neighborhood. The charming, historic homes with front porches! The walkable streets, great green spaces, and schools with Spark Parks. People walk their dogs in the evening. As the sign says, it's our little hometown near downtown.

On The Future of Stude Park /  by Michael Graves

I believe that Stude Park is a diamond in the rough. It’s a great big green space along the south edge of the neighborhood. From the community center, playground, and pool to bike trail and ball fields, it has a lot to offer. On July 4th, the park will doubtless be full of festive families picnicking and enjoying a good view of the fireworks.

While all that is true, Stude Park could be a lot more. Recognizing this fact, the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ5) has started to work on plans for Stude Park. The process began with TIRZ5 engaging the SWA Group to study the park, its users, and their usage patterns, paving the way for crafting a design for its future.

Members of the WHCA board have participated in some initial meetings. The designers at SWA are starting by trying to understand who uses the park and learn how it might be improved to encourage greater use in the future. It has tremendous potential. While many things are being considered, one of the first changes will likely be improvements to the playground near the community center.

Unlike some other parks, there is no formal “Friends of…” group for Stude Park. Normally, a “friends” group would partner with the TIRZ5 and the designers to help gather public input. WHCA intends to fill that gap. We are seeking to ensure that the neighborhood is well and truly engaged in this effort to revitalize the park.

These are early days in what will surely be a lengthy process, but it seems apparent that the future of Stude Park will be bright. We expect to eventually seek your help to make that happen.

LITH 2025 Ornament Designs Deadline Tuesday, July 1, 2025 /  by Michael Graves

July 1st is just a few days away, but you still have time to turn in your entry for the 2025 LITH Ornament Design Competition!

The winning design will be featured on LITH signs, posters, letters, T-shirts, and the Official LITH Cloisonne Ornament! In keeping with tradition, the artist’s name will be included on the underside of the ornament and mentioned on the card that comes with it.

So get your pens, pencils, crayons, computer skills (whichever you choose) out and design your entry today! Then, email your submissions to LightsInTheHeights@gmail.com by July 1, 2025 

4th of July Kids Bicycle Parade Friday, July 4, 2025 /  by Michael Graves

The WHCA 4th of July Kids Bicycle Parade is one week away! This annual event will be held at the Norhill Esplanade. It is open to all kids in the neighborhood. Parents and kids are encouraged to decorate their bicycles in their favorite colors to take part in a parade around the Norhill Esplanade. The WHCA Constable Patrol will be on hand to assist with parade festivities and ensure everyone's safety. 

Please join our community celebration of American Independence at the Norhill Esplanade on July 4th.  Kids can decorate their bikes to join the parade, and families can stay afterward to enjoy the music and refreshments.

There will be free popsicles; watermelon and Waterloos; along with face painting; and some red, white, and blue glow sticks for all the kiddos. We hope to see you there!

Yard of the Month - 802 Bayland /  by Ryan Taylor

Jackie Perry has lived in her home on the corner of Bayland and Watson for 8-plus years.

"I grew up with a family of gardeners-mostly vegetables. My deceased grandmother  is laughing in heaven since I detested garden maintenance as a kid."

While her degree is in business, her love of gardening and possibly the influence of her family's vegetable gardens led her to take many horticulture classes while pursuing her degree.

"I took 50-60 credit hours of horticulture classes at the University of Delaware. I learned a LOT! Being there expanded my plant palette immensely."

When asked what her inspiration is for choosing what to grow in her yard, Jackie said, "If it grows in the shade, I will look at it, and then what I choose is personal taste."

For a shady garden, Jackie suggests, “I love coleus for my abundant shade.  So much hybridization has gone on for years. They are colorful, ornamental, and tough!”

Her front yard, which sits in deep shade, holds a colorful mix of coleus and caladiums who find the shade a great place to grow under in our Houston sunny climate.

Joshua’s Native Plants on 18th Street is a local nursery she visits and buys from regularly, “I love Joshua’s.  He is a fountain of knowledge, and he has specimen plants.”

Taking a walk through her garden, you’ll find several native plants growing and providing a friendly environment for various flying, crawling, or buzzing pollinators and  … including anoles, chameleons, toads, butterflies, moths, all sorts of birds. 

Some plants you’re likely to find in her garden include Rivina humilis (pigeon berry), Myrica cerifera ( bayberry), Dryopteris ludoviciana ( Southern wood fern), Salvia lyrata (lyre leaf sage), Hibiscus coccineus (Texas star hibiscus), Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), Aquilegia chrysantha (Texas yellow columbine), Datura wrightii (Angel trumpet), Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), Ruellia, Spigelia marilandica (Indian pink), Sephora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel), Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry), Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jasmine), Osmunda cinnamonea (cinnamon fern), Onoclea sensibilis (sensitive fern). But her favorites are gardenias.

It takes a bit of time to tend such a beautiful garden; Jackie says that this time of year, during the growing season, it can take about 15 hours a week to keep up with her plants.

When asked about her favorite part of the garden, she responded, “My favorite is creating colorful, cohesive beds in the shade (a challenge).  My least favorite is cleaning up the constant mess created by the 5 live oaks.”

Her reaction to having her yard recognized as Yard of the Month, Jackie says she’s “Proud of my creation and of its recognition.”

WHCA July Members Meeting /  by Woodland Heights Civic Association

The July WHCA Members Meeting will take place on July 8th at Zion Lutheran Church. Many thanks to Zion for allowing us to use their meeting room; it is greatly appreciated. This is the first members meeting of the WHCA's fiscal year, which began in June.

We have a few items to give you updates on, including:

  • LITH Bash Updates and 2025 Route

  • Stude Park Improvements with TIRZ 5 and SWA

  • New Partnership Program with Boy Scouts

We hope you will take some time to meet with your neighbors and help us all make Woodland Heights a great place to live!