Built to Flood: Houston's Buffalo Bayou Walk

As the City of Jacksonville and Groundwork Jacksonville embark on a long dreamed plan to build greenways along McCoys and Hogans Creeks, Houston's Buffalo Bayou Park Trail is one worth paying close attention too. Built to flood, it has become one of the most popular urban trail systems in the American South.

The Buffalo Bayou Promenade

Located between Sabine Street west of Downtown and the Theater District’s Bagby Street, the 23-acre Buffalo Bayou Promenade, opened in 2006 with 1.4 miles of hiking and biking trails.

Paralleling Walker Street between the McKinney Street flyover and Interstate 45.

Signs in the park system are designed to be flood resistant.

Heading west under the Sabine Street Bridge.

Pedestrian access to the Marquis Lofts on Sabine.

Walkin east along the north side of the Buffalo Bayou Promenade under Interstate 45.

Buffalo Bayou Park

Just west of Sabine Street, the 2.3-mile Buffalo Bayou Park opened in 2015, adding another 160 acres to Houston’s revitalized riverfront.

Buffalo Bayou Walk near Crosby Street.

Downtown Houston from the Sabine Street Bridge.

Access to the north side of the Buffalo Bayou from the Sabine Street Bridge

The Buffalo Bayou Visitors Center on Sabine Street. Recreational amenities at the visitors center include the Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark, The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park, Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern and the Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion.

Buffalo Bayou Park near Taft Street in Montrose.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Davis is a certified senior planner and graduate of Florida A&M University. He is the author of the award winning books “Reclaiming Jacksonville,” “Cohen Brothers: The Big Store” and “Images of Modern America: Jacksonville.” Davis has served with various organizations committed to improving urban communities, including the American Planning Association and the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. A 2013 Next City Vanguard, Davis is the co-founder of Metro Jacksonville.com and ModernCities.com — two websites dedicated to promoting fiscally sustainable communities — and Transform Jax, a tactical urbanist group. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com