A message from Commissioner R. Jack Cagle

Many areas of Precinct 4 feature quirky shops, attractions, and downtown buildings steeped in history. In this issue of Precinct4Update, we dive into the past to examine the events, people, and places shaping our communities. Our cover story, "The Towns that Built Precinct 4," uncovers the history of old towns Spring, Tomball, and Humble and shares why these areas remain beneficial today.

Our roots help define us, and trees have some of the deepest. I'm proud to announce that the Texas A&M Forest Service officially designated Precinct 4's Kissing Tree as a “Famous Tree of Texas,” an honor few trees in the state enjoy. To verify its history, your Precinct 4 team completed a rigorous approval process last year, tracing the tree's history back 170 years to Herman Strack, a founder of the Klein community. We share what we uncovered in "The Stories Trees Tell" and shed light on how trees provide a connection to the past.

This issue also spotlights some of our community members bringing back old-fashioned fun in "Tell Me About the Good Ole Days." From record collecting to crafting to gardening, some of these old-fashioned hobbies have found younger new crowds. Read about a grandparent sharing her love of gardening with her grandchildren and a record collector who explains why records still hold a place in his heart.

Community building serves as another resonating theme in this issue. In "Staying Connected to the Community," we highlight five of the most active local organizations helping us connect. These groups provide educational and recreational opportunities for individuals and groups interested in the outdoors and nature, with topics ranging from butterflies to hiking to gardening.

What community would be complete without parks? Precinct 4 has more than 3,800 acres of parkland to keep you occupied all season long – and it continues to grow. We recently broke ground on Alabonson Park, a new facility in Spring Branch that will include international soccer fields, trails, and sports fields. Plans also include expanding Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve and updating facilities at Mercer Botanic Gardens. Learn more about these improvements and more in "Coming Soon to a Park Near You."

Our roads remain a critical indicator of our community's strength. When they are littered and full of potholes, it tells us we need to improve. As your commissioner, I take great pride in the beauty of your roadways and remain dedicated to ensuring your roads never fall below our high standards. I encourage you to read "Keeping Precinct 4 Beautiful" and "Partnering for Success" to learn more about how Precinct 4 keeps your roads beautiful.

If you enjoy this publication, I invite you to submit article ideas, important community projects, and other newsworthy events and issues to our editor and communications director, Joe Stinebaker, at jstinebaker@hcp4.net. With your help, we hope to tailor Precinct4Update to reflect your needs and interests because it truly is "for you."