Your Guide to Precinct 4

YOUR GUIDE TO HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4

GETTING TO KNOW

YOUR NEW COMMISSIONER

PAGE 4

PRECINCT 4 NOW SERVING YOUR AREA How redistricting affects your roads, bridges, and parks PAGE 1

READY TO RESPOND Weather events are no match for Precinct 4 PAGE 17

Harris County Precinct 4

Commissioner R. Jack Cagle

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HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 AT A GLANCE

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CONTACT

hcp4.net 713-274-4050 14444 Holderrieth Road Tomball, TX 77377

Commissioner R. Jack Cagle serves the approximately 1.3 million people living and working in Harris County Precinct 4, from Tomball to Katy, down through Alief to the Fort Bend County line.

Precinct 4 spans rural communities in the northwest to densely populated urban areas in the south. The precinct is nearly 406 square miles, with 146 square miles in the unincorporated areas of Harris County and 259 in the incorporated areas.

WRITING

Crystal Simmons Casey Collier

DESIGN Grace Diaz

PHOTOS

Crystal Simmons Grace Diaz Samantha Velasquez Jake Turner Jared Turner`

Commissioner Cagle and his staff maintain: 1,423 miles of roads and nearly 4 miles of bridges.

Eight community, nature, and fitness centers with more than 700,000 visitors annually.

EDITOR

Joe Stinebaker

48 parks, with 13,455 acres of greenspace. printed on recycled paper

19 buses, which provided more than 1,600 trips for nearly 31,000 people in 2019.

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@hcprecinct4 for news, events, and more!

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CONTENTS

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COUNTY GOVERNMENT EXPLAINED PRECINCT 4 NOW SERVING YOUR AREA..........................................................................1 COUNTY GOVERNMENT 101...................................................................................................3 MEET YOUR NEW COMMISSIONER.....................................................................................4 WHAT’S PRECINCT 4’S INFRASTRUCTURE DIVISION?...........................................7

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PARKS & RECREATION DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW IN PRECINCT 4.....................................................11 PARKS TO PIQUE YOUR INTEREST........................................................................13

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES READY TO RESPOND............................................................................................................17 BOOK A SPEAKER....................................................................................................19 WHO MAINTAINS THE ROADS?.....................................................................................20

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Y O U R G U ID E TO H A R R IS COUNTY PRECINCT 4

PRECINCT 4 NOW SERVING YOUR AREA W

hen a restaurant changes management, visitors may see changes in food quality, the menu, and service. When the leadership of an entire precinct changes, residents can expect more than just a few new dishes.

In a 3-2 vote, Commissioners Court approved a redistricting plan in October that flipped Harris County precincts 3 and 4, while leaving the remaining precincts largely unaffected. The decision, opposed by Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, changed the representation of more than 2.3 million residents – nearly half the county’s population.

Commissioner Cagle now serves most residents of western and southwestern Harris County, and Commissioner Ramsey serves the northern and northeastern parts of the county.

As your new county commissioner, Commissioner Cagle is excited to begin maintenance of your parks, roads, and community centers while providing a full menu of recreational and educational events and activities.

Although Commissioner Cagle may be new to many of his western Harris County constituents, he’s served as Precinct 4 commissioner for more than a decade. In that time, he built an unrivaled parks system with a 17-mile urban greenway with bike paths, provided hundreds of new events and activities, and maintained the county’s largest road and bridge system – all with no extra funding.

He looks forward to forging new relationships and providing an array of improved services and amenities in your communities.

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COUNTY

GOVERNMENT EXPLAINED

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Y O U R G U ID E TO H A R R IS COUNTY PRECINCT 4

COUNTY GOVERNMENT 101

WHAT IS A COMMISSIONER AND COMMISSIONERS COURT? T

he Texas Constitution establishes commissioners courts in every county. Each commissioners court is made up of a county judge and four commissioners and is the governing board of that county.

Commissioners Court members create county-wide policies, adopt budgets, set property tax rates, authorize contracts, maintain county facilities, and more. Commissioners at the precinct level are constitutionally tasked with road and bridge maintenance, but many commissioners, like Commissioner Cagle, provide additional services.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT BIT.LY/COUNTYGOVEXPLAINED.

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MEET YOUR NEW COMMISSIONER An interview with Commissioner R. Jack Cagle

How does redistricting affect me?

The redistricting means that Harris County Precinct 4 now maintains your roads, nearby parks, and community centers, and that I represent you on Commissioners Court, Harris County’s governing body. Residents may submit service requests by phone at 832-927-4444, by email to service@hcp4.net, or online at hcp4.net/assistance.

As we learn more about our new area, your Precinct 4 team also looks forward to continuing the services you know and love while finding new ways to improve your area.

GOVERNMENT EXPLAINED

Rest assured, your community center programs and activities will continue as before. We will also offer additional opportunities to attend live performances, family movie nights, and festivals at a park or community center near you. Other improvements include online event registration and a searchable database full of Precinct 4 events.

COUNTY

Will you change my park and community center programs?

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Y O U R G U ID E TO H A R R IS COUNTY PRECINCT 4

What are your top priorities in the new Precinct 4?

As we begin work in your area, you can count on your Precinct 4 team to continue growing and making improvements to your roads, parks, and communities.

Expect prompt road repairs, clean streets, excellent customer service, and refreshed community centers and parks. And always know, we're here to serve you.

To address Harris County's growing homicide rate, I continue to push for more officers on the streets, prosecutors in our courtrooms, and an end to discretionary bail revision resulting in the release of violent, repeat offenders. As your commissioner, I fight for your safety and common-sense policies that help rather than hurt public safety. We need to hold our judges accountable for endangering the public.

My office also recently established a Victims Services Center at the Ponderosa Fire Department to make filing charges more convenient for victims of human trafficking, abuse, and assault. I support victims first and hope to establish many more of these centers.

“ I fight for your safety and common sense policies ” Commissioner R. Jack Cagle

Flood mitigation also remains a priority. I helped pass some of the strictest regulations for building in the floodplain in 2017 and advocated for the passage of a $2.5 billion flood bond in 2018, Harris County's largest ever. I continue to support Harris County Flood Control District as its employees work to complete these projects and identify more ways to mitigate flooding.

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About Commissioner R. Jack Cagle Commissioner R. Jack Cagle has served as county commissioner for Harris County Precinct 4 since 2011. He was re-elected in 2014 and most recently on Nov. 6, 2018.

For more than 30 years, he has worked with and served the residents of Harris County Precinct 4 as an attorney, an elected judge, and as county commissioner.

Cagle is a graduate of Rice University with triple majors in economics, history, and managerial studies, as well as a graduate of Baylor Law School. He is married to Janet, and they have three children: Richard, Victoria, and Elizabeth.

GOVERNMENT EXPLAINED

WATC H T HE VIDEO AT B IT. LY / M E ET-COMMISSIONE R

COUNTY

Hear from the commissioner!

As commissioner, he helped pass Harris County’s strictest regulations on building in flood zones in 2017 and worked to pass a $2.5 billion flood bond issue in 2018. After Hurricane Harvey, he created a rescue fleet capable of large debris removal and highwater rescues that is now available to west Harris County residents during emergencies.

He also developed a Legacy Trees program to reduce flood risk and beautify communities through tree plantings. As part of the program, Precinct 4 donates historic trees with exciting stories to schools and nonprofits.

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WHAT IS PRECINCT 4’S INFRASTRUCTURE DIVISION?

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recinct 4’s Infrastructure Division manages new traffic improvement projects every year, including road expansion projects, traffic signals, intersection improvements, and traffic management systems.

As part of Commissioner Cagle’s commitment to safety, the Infrastructure Division will begin installing new flashing school zone signs near 31 schools throughout Katy ISD in 2022. Precinct 4 also installs sidewalks around schools to improve safety with money from the Child Safety Fund.

WHAT ARE THE FUNDING SOURCES? The Infrastructure Division receives funding from METRO, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and a 2015 road bond issue.

METRO funds, which are based on the sales tax revenue the county receives from the Metropolitan Transit Authority, are used for the construction and maintenance of streets, bridges, traffic control signals, sidewalks, trails, and drainage improvements within METRO’s service area. These funds are split equally among Harris County’s four precincts.

C h e c k out our curren t a n d u p c o min g p r o je c ts at hcp4. net/in fr a s tr u c tu r e .

GOVERNMENT EXPLAINED

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

COUNTY

The Infrastructure Division also seeks grants or partnerships with other agencies to stretch its budget. These organizations include the state Department of Transportation, municipalities, local utility districts, communities, and homeowners associations.

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Y O U R G U ID E TO H A R R IS COUNTY PRECINCT 4

FEATURED LOCATIONS

Steve Radack Community Center

Mary Jo Peckham Fitness Center

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B 290

Scan the QR code to see more Precinct 4 parks or visit hcp4.net/parks.

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Congressman Bill Archer Dog Park Spring Creek Park

610 59

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JOHN PAUL LANDING PARK AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

BAYLAND PARK & COMMUNITY CENTER

MARY JO PECKHAM PARK AND AQUATIC & FITNESS CENTER

BEAR CREEK PIONEERS PARK

RICHARD & MEG WEEKLEY COMMUNITY CENTER

6400 Bissonnet St., Houston

5597 Gardenia Lane, Katy

15015 Clay Road, Houston

CONGRESSMAN BILL ARCHER PARK & DOG PARK 3201 Highway 6 North, Houston

HOCKLEY RECREATIONAL COMPLEX & COMMUNITY CENTER

28515 Old Washington Road, Hockley

JIM & JOANN FONTENO SENIOR EDUCATION CENTER

8440 Greenhouse Road, Cypress

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15012 Brown Road, Tomball

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24202 West Road, Caypress

KLEB WOODS NATURE PRESERVE & CENTER

20303 Draper Road, Tomball

STEVE RADACK COMMUNITY CENTER 18650 Clay Road, Houston

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THOMAS A. GLAZIER SENIOR EDUCATION CENTER 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston

6600 Bissonnet St., Houston

JOHN PAUL LANDING PARK AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

SPRING CREEK PARK

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TRACY GEE COMMUNITY CENTER

3599 Westcenter Drive, Houston

PUBLIC DUMPSTER SITES A

Tomball Service Center Service Center Road, Tomball

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Hockley Service Center 28511 Old Washington Road, Hockley

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Y O U R G U ID E TO H A R R IS COUNTY PRECINCT 4

DISCOVER

Something New

IN PRECINCT 4!

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ew programs are on the way to a park or community center near you. Imagine waking up for an early morning hike, taking a bus ride to a museum, attending a nature talk outdoors, and ending the day with a movie in the park. In Precinct 4, it’s all possible.

We offer movie nights under the stars in spring, summer, and fall at parks throughout the precinct. Come early to participate in a themed craft, and don’t miss a variety of free seasonal festivals and live performances throughout the year.

ARE YOU 50 OR OLDER? Precinct 4 offers bus trips to locations across southeast Texas, including museums, festivals, seasonal festivities, plays, musical performances, and more.

Transportation is free, and many ticketed events are discounted. Visit one of our community centers to participate.

Volunteering IN PRECINCT 4

Volunteer with us!

Harris County Precinct 4 volunteers help with festivals and movie nights, planting trees, feeding the hungry, and much more.

GET THE LATEST! Wondering how to stay updated on all the new events in your area? Visit us online at hcp4.net/events for a preview of upcoming events. You can also stay updated by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or signing up for our publications at hcp4.net/subscribe.

Follow us @HCPRECINCT4!

Scan Here!

Check out upcoming opportunities online at hcp4.net/volunteer.

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PA R K S & R E C R E AT I O N

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Y O U R G U ID E TO H A R R IS COUNTY PRECINCT 4

JOHN PAUL LANDING PARK AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

KLEB WOODS NATURE PRESERVE & CENTER

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PARKS to

PIQUE YOUR INTEREST! E

xperience the wonders of nature in your own back yard.

Two extraordinary outdoor destinations located right here in Precinct 4 are John Paul Landing Park and Environmental Education Center and Kleb Woods Nature Preserve & Center.

Spanning 865 acres, John Paul Landing Park contains trails, picnic areas, playground equipment, and a 170 acre lake.

Not only does the lake provide a great place to fish, but it also serves as a major flood detention facility for the area. The lake is home to a variety of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.

JOHN PAUL LANDING PARK AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER For more information visit the education center or call 713-274-3131.

Park Hours: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

PA R K S & R E C R E AT I O N

In the northern portion of the park is the John Paul Landing Environmental Education Center.

Located at 9950 Katy Hockley Road, the education center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Offerings at the center include nature classes for kids, weekly bird walks, nature discussion groups, displays and games, senior birding bus trips, and backyard naturalist programs.

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Y O U R G U ID E TO H A R R IS COUNTY PRECINCT 4

Another feather in the cap of Precinct 4 is Kleb Woods Nature Preserve & Center. The preserve features more than 3 miles of paved and natural trails through 133 acres of pine forests, wetlands, and a remnant prairie.

Before becoming a preserve, the property was prairie and farmland owned by the Kleb family. Elmer Kleb, who lived on the property from his birth in 1907 until his death in 1999, spent decades transforming the sparse farmland into a forested preserve. Now a thickly canopied forest, the preserve includes loblolly pine, Shumard oak, water oak, live oak, eastern red cedar, sugarberry, and pecan trees.

Harris County bought the land in 1991 to create a nature preserve, center, and heritage farm. Visitors can explore the old Kleb homestead and blacksmith shop by appointment and view historical farm equipment. The park is also a popular birding destination, featuring sparrows, wrens, blackbirds, mockingbirds, thrushes, robins, and waxwings. Camping is also available to Scouts.

KLEB WOODS NATURE CENTER & PRESERVE For more information visit the nature center or call 281-357-5324.

Park Hours: 7 a.m. – Dusk

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EXPLORE OUR PARKS!

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FIND A PARK NEAR YOU!

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With more than 13,455 acres of greenspace, Precinct 4 offers 48 parks with everything from dog parks to nature centers to sports fields. Enjoy the outdoors today by finding a park near you at hcp4.net/parks.

To reserve park buildings, facilities, and other amenities, email us at reservations@hcp4.net or call 281-353-4196.

PA R K S & R E C R E AT I O N

MAKE A RESERVATION

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Y O U R G U ID E TO H A R R IS COUNTY PRECINCT 4

READY TO RESPOND ”

“

No matter the emergency, Precinct 4 fights for you. You can count on us to provide lifesaving services during floods, hurricanes, ice storms, pandemics, and other disasters. We prepare for the worst so we’re at our best when you need us most.

– Commissioner R. Jack Cagle

”

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ince assuming office in 2011, Commissioner Cagle has led the response and recovery for numerous hurricanes, floods and other emergencies. He maintains a fleet of rescue vehicles serving residents throughout Precinct 4, including four flat-bottom boats and three highwater rescue vehicles.

During floods, Precinct 4 employees certified in high-water rescues use these vehicles to transport flood victims out of harm’s way. Precinct 4 buses then provide transportation to shelters and other staging locations. Because flooding remains one of the county’s top threats, Precinct 4 will continue expanding and refining its disaster response services.

Precinct 4 staff members also work closely with the Harris County Office of Emergency Management to monitor and address emergencies and disasters ranging from chemical spills and water main breaks to ice storms and pandemics. As part of the partnership, trained Precinct 4 employees travel to the Emergency Operations Center during activations to work directly with Harris County’s emergency management professionals.

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After disasters, residents can rely on Precinct 4 to remove storm debris, clear downed limbs from roadways, and provide other recovery services as needed. Those who need to drop off debris may use the Precinct 4 dumpsters in Tomball and Hockley Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

STORM DEBRIS CLEANUP

Our employees often go beyond the call of duty. In the past, they’ve helped with vaccination programs, water, food, and hand sanitizer distribution and opened our park showers to those who lost water during Winter Storm Uri. Throughout it all, Precinct 4’s Community Assistance Department is here to help. The staff responds to service requests and connects residents to vital resources 24 hours a day during disasters.

FLOODS

ICE STORMS

For more information, visit hcp4.net/assistance.

832-927-4444

service@hcp4.net

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

PA N D E M I C S & M O R E

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Y O U R G U ID E TO H A R R IS COUNTY PRECINCT 4

Book a Speaker

P

recinct 4 boasts a Speakers Bureau that educates homeowners associations, neighborhood groups, nonprofits, clubs, and other residents about county government.

Discover the services, parks, trails, recreational activities, and more in Precinct 4 by contacting us to speak on the following topics: •

Your Guide to Harris County Government and Your County Commissioner

•

Fun Programs for Senior Adults in Precinct 4

•

How Harris County Roads are Built and Maintained

•

Harris County Precinct 4’s Role in the Office of Emergency Management

We’ll come to you!

Book a speaker by visiting us online at hcp4.net/speakersbureau.

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Who Maintains the Roads?

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ne of the primary duties of a county commissioner is to plan, build, and maintain roads and bridges.

Precinct 4’s Road & Bridge Department responds to thousands of service requests each year. Residents can request road repairs, ditch and drain clearing, tree trimming, trash removal, and other services along county-maintained roadways.

Precinct 4’s Road & Bridge Department

REQUEST SERVICE Precinct 4 residents can request assistance or road repairs by contacting Precinct 4’s Community Assistance Department at 832-927-4444 or service@hcp4.net.

responds to thousands of

FOR MORE I N FO R M ATI O N , VISIT HCP4. N E T/ A S S I S TA N C E .

service requests each year.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Check out our online event calendar today!

HCP4.NET/EVENTS

Harris County Precinct 4

14444 Holderrieth Road Tomball, TX 77377

Commissioner R. Jack Cagle

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID N. HOUSTON TX PERMIT NO 257