Posted on Jul 4, 2023 in
FEATURES
Sugar Land City Council recently approved a donation of $90,000 from the Cullinan Park Conservancy for improvements at Cullinan Park.
The donation of cash and in-kind donations will help fund the second phase of improvements at the park, including site furnishings and a trailhead monument.
The project includes the construction of 1.2 miles of concrete and decomposed granite trails, 30 head-in parking spaces along the entry road and a small parking lot with 45 spaces tucked in the woods south of the restroom.
The improvements provide the community with additional walking and jogging opportunities in nature, while preserving existing native hardwood trees. This phase also provides access and infrastructure for the planned third phase of improvements that will include a nature play and exploration area.
The conservancy has now donated more than $2.8 million for park improvements since the city annexed Cullinan Park.
The city of Sugar Land annexed the 754-acre Cullinan Park in January 2016 under an interlocal agreement with the city of Houston and a memorandum of understanding with the Cullinan Park Conservancy.
The city is responsible for park security, maintenance/operations and management of design and construction projects while the Cullinan Park Conservancy is responsible for fundraising for capital improvements to the park.
“The Cullinan Park improvements have truly been a demonstration of a great partnership among multiple agencies,” said Sugar Land Director of Parks and Recreation Joe Chesser. “Our partnership with the conservancy has really helped preserve and open up a unique natural amenity for residents throughout the region. During the past five years, we’ve seen park visits increase by more than 26 percent per year. This is really a special amenity that’s quickly become a regional destination to enjoy nature. For comparison purposes, Cullinan Park is similar in size, though slightly smaller than, Central Park in New York City.”
The first phase of improvements was completed in 2019. They were designed to expand recreational opportunities for Sugar Land residents and the surrounding community and included the addition of a restroom facility, a 1/3-mile trail around White Lake, a boardwalk, an overlook, two trailheads, three donor recognition walls, site furnishing and native hardwood trees. Other amenities included clearing overgrown, dense areas to increase visibility at the park entrance, the driveway and a portion of the White Lake edge. Signage was also installed throughout the park to provide wayfinding and environmental education to the public.
For more updates about Cullinan Park, visit www.cullinanparkconservancy.org.
For more information about programs, events and forestry initiatives, contact Sugar Land Parks and Recreation at (281) 275-2825 or visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/parks.
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