Keegans Bayou Trail and Park

The Friends of Keegans Bayou Trail and Park formed in 2018 as an organization that focuses on education, beautification, and conservancy.

Although blasting through a tunnel was not necessary to get a route from Keegans Bayou through neighborhoods it has remained a slow process to get a consensus with multiple partners. We were not looking for the glitter of gold in a stream but wanted to bask in nature along the Bayou in the tree lined shade, blue sky, and fresh air. We wanted to get there to pause for a refreshing breeze along the rippling waters. The swirling fish, turtles, and shore birds were in sight and even a coyote was not far. Neighborhood routes to the Bayou are in sight.

On one Bayou tour a participant thought the atmosphere was greener and bluer. We could all agree it was quieter away from the traffic.

Since 2018 the Friends have had a four-workhorse team. Mike Bercu, Patricia Dorsey, Sharon Young and Skip Reeder had frequent conversations alerting each to movement on the trails and monthly meetings with checklists. Each was involved in the formation of Neighborhoods to Trails Southwest since 2015, which also meets monthly on behalf of a half-dozen other trails in Southwest Houston. The group provided guided walks to influential community organizations and neighbors.

On November 18, 2016 NTTSW received a National Park Service (NPS) grant to receive assistance from the NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program with direct contact and professional guidance from a NPS community planner. Members were assisted with organizational development, public engagement, project development and fundraising. NPS provided assistance with creating maps and marketing material.  NTTSW received guidance to achieve non-profit status. The award was one of four new projects accepted by the NPS in Texas in 2016. The NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program helps communities design trails and parks, conserve and improve access to open space, protect special places, and create recreational opportunities through locally led partnerships.

Many of the Friends attended civic meetings with similar interests resulting in collaborations. Neighborhoods to Trails Southwest, National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, Brays Oaks Management District, Precinct One in Harris County, Trust for Public Lands, Park Smart, Harris County Flood Control, METRO and Houston One Voice.

This Friends of Keegans Trail and Park Resource is available at the Neighborhoods to Trails Southwest (NTTSW) website.

Keegans Bayou Trail to Neighborhoods

The Friends advocate for six locations that adjoin Keegans Bayou. Keegans Bayou rises one mile south of Clodine and two miles west of the Harris County line in northeastern Fort Bend County. It runs eleven miles east to the junction of Brays Bayou, east of Highway 59 and south of downtown Houston near Braeburn Country Club in southwestern Harris County.

Outreach with Civic and Governmental Agencies

Brays Oaks Management District (BOMD)

Since 2015 Brays Oaks Management District has supported Neighborhoods to Trails Southwest (NTTSW) by developing maps for six trails, providing a van for a Houston Parks Board tour of NTTSW Trails, including those advocated by Friends of Keegans Bayou. The City of Houston and Brays Oaks Management District established a Maintenance Agreement for Brays Oaks Trail  (aka Keegan Bayou Tributary (D 118-02-00) on August 17, 2021.

From April through October 2020 Neighborhoods to Trails members participated in multiple meetings to give input on the Brays Oaks Management District, Master Park Plan 2020. Met with Adam McGovern and Chris Chomer, EHRA consultants. Most significantly Keegan Bayou Trail was added to the Master Park Plan list of existing trails in BOMD.

1. Keegans Bayou Trail (D 118-00-00) Constructed 2013-2016

• 9860 South Gessner Rd, east end of Keegans Trail
• 10909 South Kirkwood Rd, west end of Keegans Trail
• 9022 Willow Meadow Drive Crosswalk on Brays Oaks Trail to the the Wildlife Bridge, 29.670331-95.536583

2. Brays Oaks Trail North of Willow Meadow Drive (D 118-02-00) (2931) The Trail crosswalk entrance  is adjacent to a home at 9022 Willow Meadow Drive. Advocacy began in  2015 and construction completed in 2021.  The Trail along Keegans Bayou Tributary was renamed Brays Oaks Trail.

3. Brays Oaks Trail South of Willow Meadow Drive D118-02-00 (3033) Advocacy 2015-in progress to connect the Trail to West Bellfort and possibly West Airport Destinations.

4. Ruffino Hills Redevelopment 9600 Ruffino Road, Advocacy 2011 in progress

December 7, 2022 — Houston City Council voted to purchase 73.08 acres (3,183,410 square feet) of land from the City of West University Place along the 9700 block of Ruffino Road for $10,509,460.

May 19, 2025 –  City of Bellaire Manager was authorized to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the City of Houston, Texas, whereby Bellaire will convey its Ruffino Hills Tract of 73 acres to Houston. The transfer takes place on July 9, 2025.

5. West Bellfort Park and Ride 11415 Roark Road via West Bellfort – ongoing conversations

6. Keegans Bayou West, (West of South Kirkwood)