Between November 2020 and May 2021, Pasadena Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) funded a planning study to investigate a hike and bike trail along Vince Bayou from Pasadena's Memorial Park to Strawberry Park. The City of Pasadena, particularly the Planning and Parks and Recreation Departments, were partners in the study, and Houston Parks Board served as the project manager. This trail was identified in multiple plans and studies, including the Pasadena Healthy Parks Plan and the Pasadena Livable Centers Study, demonstrating that a trail along Vince Bayou would create a safe connection for pedestrians and cyclists between parks, homes, schools, and businesses in the area. It would also connect the existing Strawberry Trail, a 3-mile concrete trail that runs along Vince Bayou from Strawberry Park south to Burke Crenshaw Park.
Trails are known to bring safety, connectivity, health, and economic benefits to an area and as such Pasadena Economic Development Corporation is excited to be able to provide funding and support to this important project.
Three virtual community meetings and an in-person pop-up event at the City of Pasadena's Memorial Park were held to gather community input for the study, identify and connect other key locations along the trail route, and build a database of future community trail stewards.
Upon completing the study, PEDC decided to fund the first phase of design and land acquisition of the proposed trail project. After the first design phase is complete and an analysis of community input is conducted, there will be an examination of feasibility to determine which portions of the trail can move forward through design and construction.