White Oak Studio is working
with Harris County Flood Control District
and Houston Parks & Recreation Department
to design a 100 acre regional stormwater
detention basin along Hall’s Bayou
in northeast Houston. The mandate for including
such a large detention basin within the
400 acre Keith-Wiess Park was that the detention
basin must enhance the park aesthetically,
recreationally and must enhance wildlife
habitat. The landscape architect’s
role on this project is to lead the design
for the configuration, landform and water
features of the basin. Additionally we are
responsible for design and documentation
of trails, boardwalks, soccer fields, playground
and picnic facilities that have been added
to the project by grant funding from Texas
Parks & Wildlife.
A system of ponds, streams and wetlands
in the bottom of the basin is fed by an
inflow pipe from the Hall’s Bayou
and runoff from surrounding development.
The stormwater is cleaned by the wetland
plantings in the basin and returned to the
bayou at the downstream end of the basin.
Extensive habitat plantings will help integrate
the excavation into the surrounding woodland
landscape as well as providing enhanced
wildlife cover and forage within the park.
PBS&J is the engineer for the project;
Mussetter Engineering (Ft. Collins, CO)
is providing hydrogeomorphology expertise;
Mr. Patterson took this project with him
to Knudson & Associates and remains
in leadership under subcontract to K&A.
Photographs used by permission.
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