The Leader • Saturday, May 12, 2018 • Page 3B
Hike-and-Bike Trail connector opens in downtown Houston For The Leader On April 28, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Houston Parks Board, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, and the Greater East End Management District celebrated the completion of the hike-and-bike trail connection between White Oak Bayou Greenway and Buffalo Bayou trails. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the last of the six-part $30 million “Houston Regional Bike/Ped Connections to Transit” project, funded by the US Department of Transportation’s Transportation Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. Originally awarded in 2012 to the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the “Houston Regional Bike/ Ped Connections to Transit” project was funded by the $15 million grant, combined with local matching donations raised by the Houston Parks Board, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Greater East End Management District and other partners. The General Service Department managed the project on behalf of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. “I am excited about the opening of the trail connecting White Oak Bayou and Buffalo Bayou. The trail will create convenient access for people walking, bicycling or simply enjoying the great outdoors who want to connect with neighbors and downtown Houston in a new way,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “This also brings us another step closer to realizing our vision of complete and connected communities.” “The completion of the TIGER grant project is a shining example of the power of partnerships,” said Steve Wright, Director Houston Parks and Recreation Department. “Together, we can do great things working toward a common goal of connecting neighborhoods through parks and greenspaces.” Linking White Oak Bayou Greenway to Buffalo Bayou trails and greenspaces including Buffalo Bayou Park, this new segment will connect Houstonians to downtown, transit centers, communi-
ties, recreational areas and each other. It serves as an alternative transportation thoroughfare for the Houston workforce and students to safely and easily commute to downtown. It also provides easier access to destinations north of White Oak Bayou Greenway and across the I-10 corridor. “We are thrilled to celebrate the completion of this downtown trail connector because it will serve such a vast number of communities, local businesses, residents and visitors,” said Beth White, President and CEO of Houston Parks Board. “Houston Parks Board is proud to have helped manage this project, and the completion of this hike-andbike trail is just one of our many efforts to increase connectivity throughout the city of Houston.” This hike-and-bike trail connector will transform 3,000 acres of underutilized land along nine major waterways into a 150-mile linear park and trail system that crisscrosses the city. The Bayou Greenways are maintained by the Houston Parks Board’s Conservation and Maintenance Team through an agreement with the City of Houston. Maintenance responsibilities include regular mowing, de-littering, and graffiti abatement. The conservation program serves to enhance the linear parklands with habitat boxes, native plantings, wildflower plantings and tree plantings. “We have always seen this area as the nexus of Houston’s hike and bike trail system,” said Anne Olson, President of Buffalo Bayou Partnership. “The new trail segment will not only link bicyclists and pedestrians to Buffalo Bayou’s parks but will offer them an alternative mode of transportation to their jobs in downtown.” “The completion of this connector trail further breaks down barriers for East End commuters and visitors of the District alike,” said Veronica Chapa Gorczynski, President of Greater East End Management District. “We’re thrilled to have another safe, offstreet option for walkers, joggers and cyclists to navigate our great City.”
Women’s Health Directory Directory of local female health service professionals. Dr. Stephanie Fulton
Dr. Rosemary Buckle
Dr. Fulton is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her practice consists of obstetrics, gynecology, and cosmetic procedures such as laser hair removal. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and completed residency at St. Vincent’s Medical Center where she was a Chief Resident. Dr. Fulton volunteers as part of the health team ministry of her church. 1740 W. 27 St. Suite 301 • Houston, TX 77008 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com
Dr. Rosemary Buckle specializes in knee and hip joint replacement surgery, treatment of adult and pediatric fractures, and treatment of sports injuries. She is a native Houstonian and a competitive athlete and relates to her patients in a way that brings her advanced medical knowledge to life. She has over 20 years of orthopedic surgery experience using a wide range of technologies. Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon 427 W. 20th St., Ste. 303 • Houston, TX 77008 713-756-5546 www.houstonsportsandortho.com
Dr. Julia Kovacs
Dr. Attiya S. Khan
Dr. Julia Kovacs has more than 20 years of experience practicing primary care and internal medicine in Houston. She focuses on preventive medicine and the management of chronic diseases including diabetes, thyroid disorders, HIV and hypertension, among others. She graduated from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and did her internship and residency at Baylor College of Medicine. Board Certified Internist 427 W. 20th St., Ste. 303 • Houston, TX 77008 713-231-1880 www.sjmcphysicians.com
Dr. Dora E. Cantu Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Cantu has been practicing ophthalmology for over 20 years. She sees patients daily for ocular problems including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, and ocular infections. Her passion in cataract and pterygium surgery. Dr. Cantu has been recently named one of the Leader’s best ophthalmologist! 1740 W. 27th St. Suite 180 • Houston, TX 77008 713-864-8652 www.northwesteye.net
Dr. Khan focuses on the prevention of heart disease through early diagnosis and provides the latest interventional techniques to treat coronary and peripheral vascular diseases. She is one of the few female interventional cardiologists in Houston available to perform emergency angioplasties and stents for patients who are experiencing a heart attack. 1631 North Loop West, Ste. 220 • Houston TX 77008 713-365-0786 www.nwcardiology.net
Dr. Becky J. Fredrickson Board Certified Ophthalmologist. Dr. Fredrickson has been practicing ophthalmology for over 12 years. She routinely sees patients for diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and ocular infections. She specializes in surgical procedures including cataract, eyelid lifts, eyelid cysts, Botox and Juvederm, and pterygia. 1415 N. Loop, Ste 400 • 427 W. 20th St. Ste 100 Houston, TX 77008 713-668-6828 • www.houstoneye.com