On Monday, June 27, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Senator Rodney Ellis, District H Council Member Karla Cisneros, University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) Vice President for Administration and Finance David Bradley and many others joined representatives from the Houston Parks Board at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new White Oak Bayou hike and bike trail behind the UHD Jesse H. Jones Student Life Center.

This event officially marked the start of construction of the final of six connections funded by a $30 million U.S. Department of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. The new trail will connect White Oak Bayou Greenway to Buffalo Bayou Park downtown at Allen's Landing. When completed, the continuous trail will provide a pedestrian route along White Oak Bayou Greenway from far northwest Houston to Buffalo Bayou and downtown Houston.

Beth White, president and CEO of the Houston Parks Board said, "This new trail segment will be a critical connector between White Oak and Buffalo Bayou Greenways, connecting all of Houston walkers, runners, bikers, and cyclists to miles of continuous trails, outdoor relaxation and recreation. Just as important, it's an off-street transportation route for students who are investing in their education at UHD."

White added, "This trail will be a vital link in the grand vision of Bayou's GreenWays 2020, one of the most ambitious park projects in the country."

Mayor Turner said the trails will enhance access to parks throughout the city of Houston and offer people more options to get from point A to point B without the use of a vehicle. He also agreed that the new trail sector will be an added benefit to the University and its students.

"UHD students will perhaps benefit the most from these new trail connections as they are right here in their backyard," said Mayor Turner.

The six Houston regional bike/pedestrian connections to transit projects include:

• White Oak Bayou Path: Alabonson Road/Antoine Drive link
• White Oak Bayou Path: 11th Street to Heights Bike Trail and Stude Park Links
• White Oak Bayou Path: Connections to Residential Neighborhoods and Buffalo Bayou Path
• Buffalo Bayou Path: Smith Street/Travis Street Link
• East Downtown Connections: Transit/Residential/Commercial Connections
• Brays Bayou Path: MLK/Old Spanish Trail Link

The project is a joint project between the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Houston Parks Board, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, University of Houston, Downtown Redevelopment Authority, and the Greater East End Management District.