New skateboard, BMX park opens

The Gene Green Beltway 8 Park designed to be environmentally friendly and energy efficient had it’s namesake, Congressman Gene Green, D., 29th, cut a ribbon, make speeches and fire off contributed fireworks on 8/8/08.

The park not only features kids’ adventure playgrounds but skateboard, BMX bicycle tournament course, BMX freestyle area, splash park, ampitheater, tot lot, basketball and tennis courts. Garcia opened her remarks with “I am proud to open this park for East Harris County and all the people of this region in partnership with Harris County Public Parks.”

Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia Garcia dedicated the park to her one time political rival. This park was truly Green, it was designed to standards of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (the latest in energy efficient building design) in offices, restrooms and amphitheater. Native plants are part of the landscape to capture and conserve water.

The new park is the first in Harris County to include an American Bicycle Association sanctioned BMX track. The park sports a skate park for the skateboarders, a spray park, a hiking trail, a soccer field, a general use sports field, a baseball field and an amphitheater.

The 230 acre park is the first undertaken by the Commissioner since she took office in 2003 and required partnering with Harris County Flood Control District. All of 173 acres are dedicated to public park facilities. remaining acres are open to the public as undeveloped green space. The park is under evaluation for certification in the LEED program. LEED is sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council in an effort to develop an internationally recognized standard for earth friendly design and construction. Recycled building materials were used in construction of almost all the features in the park as were innovative storm water management.