Community

The now lit pedestrian street pole lights aren't necessary to see numerous enhancements on Elmside and Woodchase Drives. But having illuminated sidewalks do make an evening stroll more enjoyable. Recent work on the street has resulted in a highly noticeable transformation. New wider, continuous sidewalks were installed to build the 1.25-mile Elmside/Woodchase Side Path with back-of-curb improvements. Half moon and playful spheres are in place. Loquat Leaf Oak and Crape Myrtle trees fill landscaped beds…..Read More

Everywhere you turn, Westchase District’s identity is becoming a little more colorful through a series of new public art murals painted by Larry Crawford. The artist has been on a prolific painting spree these past months, debuting new works on bridges and retaining walls. Crawford produced four murals that capture the identity and feel of the area, all of which are a visual treat for one to spy. The Nutria Mural is on the Deerwood…..Read More

John Vargas has been in the Cantina Laredo family for almost two decades. He began with the Dallas-based restaurant company when it had only four locations. In December 2003, it was looking to expand into a new market which brought Vargas to open its first Houston restaurant. The growing company selected the former site of Good Eats in Westchase District. While Vargas and his partners were not thinking long-term, the restaurant’s reception dictated other plans.…..Read More

Ofc. Ron Broadnax is one of the newest members of Westchase District Patrol, joining the District five months ago. If you have been out on the expansive Westchase District Trail System, you have likely crossed paths with him and his partner, Ofc. Zhen Wang, on patrol bikes. “The trails are an excellent way to cover the District because you can get to anywhere fast,” said Broadnax. In fact, Broadnax knows about speed and agility. He…..Read More

Whether for lifelong sport, cleaner air, improving health, saving money on gas, less traffic, turning a work commute into a workout or just to feel the wind, people ride bikes for many reasons. And in Houston, cyclists peddle to Bike Barn. The retailer has been supporting the world of cycling since 1983. Serving Cycling Community Bike Barn’s market niche has been reinforced by increasing trends for bike commuting which has grown by 62 percent since…..Read More

Months of construction progress and work are enhancing Elmside and Woodchase Drives as streetscape improvements are nearing completion. Select driveway sections along the path have been replaced and repaved while wider, continuous sidewalks have been built on the east side of the street. The new sidewalks connect pedestrians and cyclists from Westheimer to Woodchase Park. Along the 1.4 mile-path, the District replaced span wires with the installation of traffic light mast arms (at Westpark and…..Read More

In Texas, the first week of May means the last month of school. That’s when parents of school-age children are finalizing their summer plans and the team at Quillian Center is ramping up to provide another summer of epic programming for those same children. For 60 years, Quillian Center’s summer day camps have provided outstanding programming to kids from throughout west Houston. Campers can always count on swimming, athletic activities, counselor challenges, arts and crafts…..Read More

Riding an average of 25 miles a day, HPD bike officer Zhen Wang knows the Westchase District area. “It’s different than being in a patrol vehicle,” said Wang, a nine-year veteran of the Westchase District Patrol. “When you are on a bike you ride past people on the trail and on the streets. It makes my day when people say hello and wave. We love smiles too.” After Wang puts miles on the bike, he…..Read More

People with autism experience challenges that might not be obvious. Imagine you’re an adult with autism. You can drive to a college campus. But upon arriving, a full parking lot stirs anxiety, fear, mistrust and a lost feeling – causing you to go home. “This happens,” said Anne Marie Blacketer, CFRE and chief development officer at nonPareil’s Houston campus in Westchase District. That’s why nonPareil wants to make learning more accessible than before for adults…..Read More

Westchase District’s Greenspace for Westchase campaign to fund the planned Wilcrest Park is off to a strong start thanks to major donations from companies, organizations and foundations familiar to all Houstonians. The Greenspace campaign was created to cover the $3.2 million gap in funds necessary to build Wilcrest Park into a regional destination. Wilcrest Park will be built on a 3.5-acre parcel of land located on Wilcrest Drive immediately north of Robinson-Westchase Library and Westchase…..Read More