Picnic for the Park to Benefit Cullinan Park Conservancy


Dee Koch, 2017 Nina Cullinan Outstanding Citizen Award Honoree.
Photo courtesy The George Foundation.

Cullinan Park Conservancy (CPC) will host its first-ever fundraising event, a “Picnic for the Park” luncheon on Friday, October 20th, at 11:30 am in the auditorium at River Pointe Church in Richmond.

At the luncheon, CPC will celebrate two amazing Fort Bend residents. First, Dee Koch, as this year’s Nina Cullinan Honoree. The Nina Cullinan Award is given in recognition each year to an outstanding supporter of the Park and Conservancy. The second woman is the event’s keynote speaker, renowned wildlife photographer Dr. Angela McCain, who will share stories of her travels and samples of world famous photographs.

A photography contest, underwritten by Johnson Development, is underway, and winners will be revealed at the luncheon, as well. Other major sponsors of the inaugural luncheon include Brown & Gay Engineers, Stonehenge, Westin Homes and absolutely! focus media.

Nancy Olson, Gary Tuma, Angela McCain, Gay Thompson, Susie Goff and Angie Wierzbicki take a break from planning the event at Cullinan Park. Photo Staging: Diane Amundson, Festivities Turn Key Events. Photo by Mary Favre.

Commissioner Jim Patterson will also lend his auctioneering skills to the luncheon in hopes of raising further funds to develop Cullinan Park. Net proceeds from sponsorships, ticket sales and the auction will be matched 50% by The George Foundation through a challenge grant.

The CPC was created in 2010 to advocate for, enhance and protect the natural beauty of Cullinan Park for all. Joseph S. and Lucie H. Cullinan Park (aka Cullinan Park) consists of 754 acres, just north of Sugar Land Regional Airport on Highway 6.

The one-of-a-kind, blue-green oasis in the middle of rapidly growing suburbs provides habitat for all manner of wildlife, while delivering a respite for human visitors, too. Since the historic agreement was signed between the City of Houston, the Houston Parks Board, the City of Sugar Land and the Conservancy less than two years ago, the Conservancy has been hard at work fundraising to ensure the Park is a welcoming, safe and naturally scenic setting for everyone.

Planned improvements to Cullinan Park over the next couple years, depending on funding, include a permanent restroom, invasive species removal, additional trail development, a canoe/kayak launch, a children’s nature exploration area, expanded parking and other enhancements.

The CPC invites the community to consider investing in this “priceless natural gem.” Sponsorships and individual tickets for the luncheon are available at cullinanparkconservancy.org or call Executive Director Angie Wierzbicki at 281-616-7860 for more information.