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Welcoming a New Year at West 11th Street Park

Submitted by Helen Shumway

Welcome to 2020 in the West 11th Street Park! While last year flew by for me, I feel very lucky to have been able to observe and enjoy the cycle of life in the Park and I look forward to seeing that same cycle this year.

Right now, the raptors (hawks and owls) are busy finding a mate, laying eggs and raising their young. The winter rains will nourish the trees. March and April will bring migratory birds to the area, and we will begin to hear the mating calls and drumming of the pileated woodpecker. Spring will escort wild flowers to the flower beds, to the wildflower area along 11th Street and throughout the Park. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees will visit those same wildflowers as they travel through our area in April and June. As the heat of July, August and September comes upon us, we will have the shaded trails to enjoy. Fall will bring color back to the trees as their leaves begin to die. Then as the temperatures cool in November and December, the owls will begin their evening calls as they look for a mate. The cycle continues. However, it is foolish to take this beautiful Park for granted. As members of this community and this city, it is our responsibility to protect the life in the Park and to respect our neighbors as they experience nature in this beautiful setting. We can all help by picking up trash and picking up after our pets, not only in the grassy area that borders the Park, but also within the woods and along the trails.

Be involved! Introduce friends or neighbors to the Park so that they can enjoy a bit of peace in their busy lives. Check out the Wireless Wilderness phone tour and learn more about the ecology of the Park. Visit our Facebook page to find volunteer opportunities. In January, we clean and prepare the flower beds for the year and we cannot do that without the help of our wonderful volunteers. The decomposed granite trails, doggie bags and the Wireless Wilderness phone tour are not supported financially by the City of Houston or the Houston Parks Department. We are able to enjoy these amenities only through your generous donations and we need your continued support. Please donate to the Friends of West 11th Street Park to help us continue our mission.

New Board Member for Friends of West 11th Street Park

I would like to introduce Sylvia Landry as our new Friends of West 11th Street Park Board member. Sylvia is a resident of Timbergrove and has worked with the Friends for several years including organizing volunteer days for activities in the Park through her previous employer. We are excited that she will be taking an active role on the Board.

Stay in Touch

We would love to hear from you! If you have a comment, question, or suggestion for us, contact the Friends of West 11th Street Park via the website, Facebook page or email at donatewest11th@gmail.com. Also, in the event an incident or illegal activity is observed in the park, please call the City of Houston Park Ranger Dispatch at 832-395-7100 or the Houston Police at 911.

So here’s to another wonderful year in the Park! I hope to see you there soon.

Helen Shumway,
President of Friends of West 11th Street Park