Renwick Linear Park and Trail

Current Status:  In 2024, Harris County Precinct 4 approved an application to the Places 4 People Initiative from the COH, in collaboration with Neighborhoods to Trails Southwest, to fund and plan a Feasibility Study for the proposed Renwick Linear Park and Trail.  In July 2025, Harris County Precinct 4 is in the process of obtaining required interlocal agreements and following a procurement process to select a consultant to deliver the study.

Overview: The Renwick Linear Park and Trail, if approved, will make an important connection to the Brays Bayou Greenway from neighborhoods to the north of Braeswood, including Meyerland, Braesmont, Maplewood, Meyercrest,  Shadow Crest,  Barkley Circle, Gulfton and the city of Bellaire. This 0.8-mile trail would be constructed on a grassy easement located adjacent to the west side of Renwick Drive in City of Houston-owned right of way. The trail bisects an area with single- and multi-family housing, several schools, and a number of important community destinations. This trail is located in close proximity to the Atwell bridge across Brays Bayou, creating an important pedestrian and bicycle connection to destinations north and south.

The proposed trail on Renwick begins at the intersection of Beechnut and Renwick,  and ends at North Braeswood, just west of the Atwell Bridge. The beginning point at Beechnut uses a sidewalk adjacent to the St. Phillips Methodist Church until accessing the proposed trail in the grassy easement beginning near Indigo Street, and continuing  a distance of 0.8 mile to reach N Braeswood Blvd. This would provide an off-street link to the Brays Bayou trail and the many spots along that trail. The Atwell Street Pedestrian Bridge crosses Brays Bayou in this area. It provides convenient access to and from destinations on the south side of Braeswood, including the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, the Westbury Swimming Pool, and other shopping/retail near Chimney Rock at North Braeswood.  ​

Key Attributes

Length: 0.8 miles
Start Point: Beechnut Street.
End Point: N Braeswood Blvd.
Trail Width: 10 feet
Ownership: City of Houston
Easements: HCFCD
Current Use: Mowed right of way
Bike Plan: Long-Term Dedicated
In-Street ROW
Parks Master Plan: Serves High Need Area

Destinations

Brays Bayou Trail System
Gail Reeves Park
Herod Elementary School
Beth Israel School
Braeswood/Chimney Rock shopping
Beth Israel Synagogue
Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center

Challenges
Existing concrete barrier at Renwick ditch requires a workaround to allow users to access Brays Bayou Greenway

Other Information

Identified as in-street dedicated ROW on the Houston Bike Plan’s long-term vision maps

Provides park access to an area identified as “High Need” in the Houston Parks Master Plan

The demographics of the area include all ages and both home and apartment residents. Many residents walk or bike on the streets and would benefit from a Renwick easement trail.

Linear Park and Trail Development

This would provide an off-street link to the Brays Bayou Greenway. The Atwell Street Pedestrian Bridge crosses the Bayou is in this area, providing access to the neighborhoods and amenities on the south side, including the JCC, public pool, the Shannon Walker Library, schools, shops and the Willow Waterhole.

The Renwick Trail is between Beechnut and N. Braeswood Blvd. An easement exists that is 60-100 ft in width, and is best thought of as having 3 components:

1. That portion from Indigo (just south of Beechnut) to Braes Valley, a distance of about 0.50 miles .
2. That portion south of Braes Valley, running south,  to the end of the covered storm water drainage system, a distance of 0.2 miles
3. That portion where the storm water drainage pipes end, and an open drainage ditch runs into Braes Bayou, a distance of less than 60 yards.

The planning and completion of this Trail will be considered in a proposed feasibility study that was approved in 2024 by the Harris County  Places 4 People Initiative of Precinct 4.  The proposal for the Renwick Trail Linear Park and Trail Feasibility Study was applied for by the City of Houston, with collaboration of Neighborhoods to Trails Southwest. As of July, 2025, the assigned Senior Planner of the Harris County Precinct 4 Infrastructure Division reports that they are working with the County Attorney’s Office to finalize a Interlocal Agreement with the City of Houston. The Office of the County Engineer is also working through the procurement process to select a consultant to to deliver the study.