A Walk down the Woodlands Texas Waterway

Water Taxi

Here in The Woodlands we are known for several things. Unfortunately or not, we now have an image of a commercial center stradling a canal built to mimic in some ways the San Antonio Riverwalk. It is done with a different style, but one with a tourist flavor. When taking a walk down the waterway, it has a unique look and feel. The Woodlands will in turn be mimicked by Sugarland soon, unless of course the economy is not good for them to do so. I have heard that they might pull out of their venture to keep their taxes low in these tough times -a very different approach than of those trusted with tax dollars here. This article is not to criticize that venture nor politics here. It is just the contrary. This is really to point out that we have something that can be enjoyed in the outdoors here. Taking a walk down the waterway can be enjoyable even for those who do not like paying taxes to build this commercial and tourist zone.

The waterway is actually a long linear park. Its paths are part of the pathway system of The Woodlands parks. This Mallard might as well be in one of the major parks. He enjoys his life right where people walk and run.

Early mornings are good for a run even in the summer here. The concrete is not shaded like most of our parks, so it gets very hot on the path in the heat of the summer, these ducks have families and are especially evident in the evening. Sitting out on an outdoor restaurant sitting area, you can watch them follow their mamas

Pleasing to the eye, the shoreline is filled with landscaping that presents itself as a garden park in the backyard of large buildings, over concrete and steel.

 

My walk on this day took me from the Marriott Hotel across to the southern side of the waterway. Then west under bridges, to the Koi Gardens and to the Riva Row Kayak rental. I did this without much effort during the lunch hour on a fairly hot day in August.

The architecture of these new buildings are pleasant as well. One thing that is apparent to me. It took hundreds of years for the giant Cypress trees along the San Antonio Riverwalk to mature. I don't recall a single Bald Cypress here along the waterway. We do have some Pine trees which grow and mature much much faster, but that does not seem to be the goal here either. Vegetation is more like what is planted in some place like Sugarland. Turning a prairie into a garden makes more sense to me than turning a forest into one. So to me it is apparent that we have a creation that doesn't belong here, but I do inject that it is a nice addition nevertheless - just is disregarding the ecological intent of the area. Gone are the days of placing homes and businesses in the forest. Now the strategy is more about displacing the forest with homes and businesses.

There is no denying that this walk was pleasant. Maybe you want to get out early some morning and run or walk along the waterway. You'll be glad you did! 

Koi Garden on the Waterway in The Woodlands Texas

Nestled among the tall buildings but along the waterway is a little place people often miss. Koi Garden is intended as an amenity for people living in Town Center but is available to anyone walking the paths along the waterway.

On the outside as well as inside, you will find bamboo and water. One of the clues to where the garden is located is to watch for water on both sides of the walking path. The you will also see bamboo growing on the land side of the path. For a tranquil moment at lunch or any other time, this is a good place to stop. Running water bubbling up from a pump-driven "spring" makes the garden more inviting than a pond.

There are a few lily pads and blooming lilies at a cross bridge in the garden.

They are worth a moment to to examine them with the visiting bees.

Of course the main menu are the Koi. There are some large and small ones to sit and watch meandering in the pools of water.

Please make sure you follow the rules which keeps this place beautiful and tranquil.

Then the fish and vegetation will continue to thrive.

New YMCA at the Village of Creekside Park moving forward

Tentative agreement was reached this week to start moving dirt about October 1st at the new YMCA Lodge site in the Village of Creekside Park. This site is across the street from the water park. A formal ground breaking ceremony is expected to be conducted on October 3rd, 2009. This development project will be in two phases. First, the lodge will be constructed. It will be one of two buildings constructed on six acres of above-flood-plane ground. An additional thirteen acres lower than the flood plane behind the lodge will be used as natural forest with an amphitheater and day camp area especially designed for outdoor activities. A 65-foot climbing tower will be constructed as well as other recreational facilities for outdoor family recreation.

This village  YMCA will be part of the South Montgomery YMCA, so membership for one includes membership in the other two. There are plans to have interpretive nature education here among many other programs. Our youth will be able to learn how to use the amphitheater to produce plays and have the opportunity for Friday night movies  among other activities. There is a plan to partner with the Tomball School District to provide outdoor education programs as part of extracurricular or even class education programs.

We can expect it to open in late May or early June of 2010. The facility should be completed for operation in May, 2010.