UHCL opens public nature trail with plans for 2.5-mile network

The University of Houston-Clear Lake cut the ribbon on a new nature trail Friday, Oct. 9, opening a wooded path on Bayou Road West to students and the public.

UHCL President Richard Walker welcomed attendees at 9 a.m., and Provost Mohamed Abdelrahman joined him for the ribbon-cutting, as first reported by The Signal, the university's student newspaper. Guided half-mile tours left every 15 minutes starting at 9:30 a.m.

A longer two-mile guided hike began at 10:15 a.m. Participants used provided binoculars to spot birds and learned about stormwater management along the route.

The trail was funded through the Recreational Trails Grants program administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Matthew Fougerat, the program's grant coordinator, told The Signal the program distributes about $1 million per fiscal year to trail projects across Texas.

"It's from Texas, going back to Texas," Fougerat said.

The new path is part of a larger expansion. Future phases are expected to add about two more miles of trails, bringing the campus total to at least 2.5 miles. The network could eventually connect to the Middlebrook sidewalk, according to event organizers. Most of the planned system is expected to be accessible, though some sections will remain natural footpaths.

The campus trail network already links to paths leading toward Exploration Green, the 200-acre flood-detention and nature park in Clear Lake, and surrounding neighborhoods like Brook Forest. Those connections open routes for walking, hiking and biking beyond university grounds.

The trail is open to everyone.

Wendy Reistle, environmental education coordinator at the Environmental Institute of Houston (EIH) at UHCL, said the campus has extensive natural areas and the trail gives people a chance to learn about local birds, butterflies and trees. Rowena McDermid, an EIH environmental education assistant, encouraged students to disconnect from their phones and enjoy the surroundings.

Visitors can use Parking Lot R near the main nature trail or the general campus lots. Parking near the new trailhead is limited, but UHCL parking is free on weekends. The university's existing Marguerite S. Claghorn Nature Trail, near the Bayou Building across from Parking Lot C, offers a one-mile loop or a shorter third-of-a-mile option. The new Bayou Road West trail adds to that network as UHCL pursues additional phases.

Upcoming in the Clear Lake area: