URBAN RURAL RURBAN

SITE PHASE 1: TRAILS RURBAN

The paradox is most explicit around the edges of Loop 610, within minutes of Downtown. It is here that Houston’s roots in Dixie are most evident, where the impact of segregation led to the devel- opment of independent Black communities, and where West-ern ranching and cowboy traditions continue to thrive. The settlements, both incorpo- rated and unincorporated, form a horseshoe around the east-ern half of the city that includes (moving from north to south) Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Houston Gardens, Settegast, Clinton Park, and Sun-nyside. Developed from the period just prior to World War I, and through the end of World War II, they were developed by and for African-Americans in what was then the outskirts of Houston. They are nearly equidThe paradox is most explicit around the edges of Loop 610, within minutes of Downtown. It is here that Houston’s roots in Dixie are most evident, where the impact of segregation led to the devel- opment of independent Black communities, and where Western ranching and cowboy traditions continue to thrive. The settlements, both incorpo- rated and unincorporated, form a horseshoe around the east-ern half of the city that includes (moving from north to south) Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Houston Gardens, Settegast, Clinton Park, and Sun-nyside. Developed from the period just prior to World War I, and through the end of World War II, they were developed by and for African-Americans in what was then the outskirts of Houston. They are nearly equidistant from Downtown and share complex histories. istant from Downtown and share complex histories.

PORTAL SCULPTURES + SIGNAGE

SHAPING THE ‘RURBAN’ LANDSCAPE GIOVANNI A. PENA + NHS

01 RDA GRANT 03 CITY MAP04 SITE MAP05 SITE PLAN06 BACKGROUND07 CHALLENGES + CULTURE 11 COLLECTIVE EFFORT

00 CONTENTS

In May 2014, University of Houston’s graduate architecture student Giovanni Peña then an undergraduate student in the Environmental Design program was awarded the 2014 Initiatives for Houston Grant by the Rice Design Alliance for his proposal Shaping The ‘Rurban’ Landscape. Under the guidance of University of Houston’s professor and director of the Community Design Resource Center (CDRC), Susan Rogers, Giovanni was able to create a proposal that expanded on the design competition he had participated hosted by the Nature Heritage Society. With the help of this grant and the other grants secured by the NHS, a landscape architecture company has been hired to begin work on the site. Engineering services have also been recruited in order to meet the requirements of the Harris County Flood District Control (HCFDC). Funds have been used to organize activities in the site like volunteer site clean ups, and site field trips for area schools. Although we have faced a few setbacks the implementation of the trails will soon be completed, and soon the culmination of the first phase will be celebrated by everyone involved in this laborious but rewarding process.

01 RDA GRANT

SPECIAL THANKS

Susan Rogers, Director of CDRCTreasa Antony, Executive Director of NHSLarry Hill, Research Professor at UH Graduate School of Social WorkCharlie Dominguez, Undergraduate Architecture Student at UHRice Design Alliance

URBAN RURAL RURBAN

SITE PHASE 1: TRAILS RURBAN

The paradox is most explicit around the edges of Loop 610, within minutes of Downtown. It is here that Houston’s roots in Dixie are most evident, where the impact of segregation led to the devel- opment of independent Black communities, and where West-ern ranching and cowboy traditions continue to thrive. The settlements, both incorpo- rated and unincorporated, form a horseshoe around the east-ern half of the city that includes (moving from north to south) Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Houston Gardens, Settegast, Clinton Park, and Sun-nyside. Developed from the period just prior to World War I, and through the end of World War II, they were developed by and for African-Americans in what was then the outskirts of Houston. They are nearly equidThe paradox is most explicit around the edges of Loop 610, within minutes of Downtown. It is here that Houston’s roots in Dixie are most evident, where the impact of segregation led to the devel- opment of independent Black communities, and where Western ranching and cowboy traditions continue to thrive. The settlements, both incorpo- rated and unincorporated, form a horseshoe around the east-ern half of the city that includes (moving from north to south) Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Houston Gardens, Settegast, Clinton Park, and Sun-nyside. Developed from the period just prior to World War I, and through the end of World War II, they were developed by and for African-Americans in what was then the outskirts of Houston. They are nearly equidistant from Downtown and share complex histories. istant from Downtown and share complex histories.

PORTAL SCULPTURES + SIGNAGE

URBAN RURAL RURBAN

SITE PHASE 1: TRAILS RURBAN

The paradox is most explicit around the edges of Loop 610, within minutes of Downtown. It is here that Houston’s roots in Dixie are most evident, where the impact of segregation led to the devel- opment of independent Black communities, and where West-ern ranching and cowboy traditions continue to thrive. The settlements, both incorpo- rated and unincorporated, form a horseshoe around the east-ern half of the city that includes (moving from north to south) Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Houston Gardens, Settegast, Clinton Park, and Sun-nyside. Developed from the period just prior to World War I, and through the end of World War II, they were developed by and for African-Americans in what was then the outskirts of Houston. They are nearly equidThe paradox is most explicit around the edges of Loop 610, within minutes of Downtown. It is here that Houston’s roots in Dixie are most evident, where the impact of segregation led to the devel- opment of independent Black communities, and where Western ranching and cowboy traditions continue to thrive. The settlements, both incorpo- rated and unincorporated, form a horseshoe around the east-ern half of the city that includes (moving from north to south) Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Houston Gardens, Settegast, Clinton Park, and Sun-nyside. Developed from the period just prior to World War I, and through the end of World War II, they were developed by and for African-Americans in what was then the outskirts of Houston. They are nearly equidistant from Downtown and share complex histories. istant from Downtown and share complex histories.

PORTAL SCULPTURES + SIGNAGE

URBAN RURAL RURBAN

SITE PHASE 1: TRAILS RURBAN

The paradox is most explicit around the edges of Loop 610, within minutes of Downtown. It is here that Houston’s roots in Dixie are most evident, where the impact of segregation led to the devel- opment of independent Black communities, and where West-ern ranching and cowboy traditions continue to thrive. The settlements, both incorpo- rated and unincorporated, form a horseshoe around the east-ern half of the city that includes (moving from north to south) Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Houston Gardens, Settegast, Clinton Park, and Sun-nyside. Developed from the period just prior to World War I, and through the end of World War II, they were developed by and for African-Americans in what was then the outskirts of Houston. They are nearly equidThe paradox is most explicit around the edges of Loop 610, within minutes of Downtown. It is here that Houston’s roots in Dixie are most evident, where the impact of segregation led to the devel- opment of independent Black communities, and where Western ranching and cowboy traditions continue to thrive. The settlements, both incorpo- rated and unincorporated, form a horseshoe around the east-ern half of the city that includes (moving from north to south) Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Houston Gardens, Settegast, Clinton Park, and Sun-nyside. Developed from the period just prior to World War I, and through the end of World War II, they were developed by and for African-Americans in what was then the outskirts of Houston. They are nearly equidistant from Downtown and share complex histories. istant from Downtown and share complex histories.

PORTAL SCULPTURES + SIGNAGE

rural

urban

rurban

THE FORGOTTEN PERIPHERY

NEW NATIVE TREES:

EXISTING NATIVE TREES

NEW NATIVE PLANTS

NEW NATIVE TREES:

EXISTING NATIVE TREES

NEW NATIVE PLANTS

The 106-acre site is loosely bordered by the 288 freeway to the west, Orem to the south, Scott to the east, and Airport to the north. It is located adjacent to the Sunnyside, South Park, and SouthAcres/Crestmont Park super-neighborhoods. These are primarily low-income neighborhoods that are still overcoming the effects of past discrimination and economic marginalization. The 21 sq mile catchment is also densely populated. Our analysis of Census 2010 data indicated that 61,274 people live within the target area of which 83% are African American. A 2012 report by Stephen Klineberg at Rice University suggested that although pockets of ethnic sameness are decreasing across the U.S., Houston had the highest level of sameness when compared to major cities. This lack of diversity is decreasing as the Latino, Asian, and Caucasian population has increased over the past decade in the catchment area.

SIMS GREENWAY

04 SITE MAP

N

SCO

TT S

TREE

T

CLOVERLANDCOMMUNITY CENTER

CLOVERLAND PARK

HICKORY LN

CLOVERLAND CHURCH OF CHRIST

EXIS

TIN

G R

.O.W

.

SOU

THV

IEW

SR

EET

PROPOSED NATIVE TREES

5’X5’ CONCRETE PAD FOR PROPOSED

BIRD TOWER

PROPOSED 6’X4’ CONCRETE PAD FOR HORSE ART

PROPOSED NATIVE TREES

PROPOSED NATIVE TREES

PROPOSED TREES

PROPOSED TREES

PROPOSED TREES

BRICK MONUMENT

EXISTING DIRT TRAIL

PROPOSED DECOMPOSED GRANITE TRAIL

PORTAL

EXISTING TREES TO REMAIN

PROPOSED SITE PLAN

This unique urban nature site, created by HCFCD, contains waterways, open green space, small islands, and undeveloped walking trails. At its center is an easily accessible windswept hill which provides an unobstructed 360 degree view of the entire Houston metroplex including the Downtown Houston skyline, Reliant and the Astrodome, Texas Medical Center, and Port of Houston. It is capable of holding almost 1.2 mega liters (325 million gallons) of excess storm water, greatly reducing the risk of flooding for area residents. It is a model storm water detention basin and primary example of how flood control projects can be more than simply functional. On April 23, 2013, the Harris County Commissioner’s Court approved”concessionaire agreement between the county and the Nature Heritage Society to establish a Naturetum™ conservation demonstration site on tracts of land within the Flood Control District known as the Hill at Sims Greenway Detention Basin.” This agreement stands for 10 years. This is in line with the needs of HCFCD to have a local non-profit organization spearhead the conservation and preservation work.

NHS has taken on this recommendation for the past several years and because of its expertise is the only non-profit to receive clearance to work at “the Hill.”In May, 2013 the College of Architecture’s Community Design Resource Center presented their report on Sunnyside which supported recommendations for the proposed work. NHS has identified needs specific to the eco-system. The ecological spectrum exists within this small eco-system. In the water are minnow shiners, white perch, carp, channel catfish, and large mouth bass. At the top of the food chain are two resident alligators that were attracted to the 40-acre detention lake last year. The water also provides a wetland for migratory birds. Site conservation increases the likelihood that migratory birds keep these super-neighborhoods as a Fly Zone as they travel from Canada to South America. It is not uncommon to see brilliant colors of Scissor Fly-Catchers, Green Jays, Buntings, and Cardinals at “the Hill” Larger birds of prey such as Horned Owls, Ospreys, Swainson’s Hawk, Great White and Blue Herons take refuge here. Small urban mammals like squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs and coyotes are scarce. Our work will address the conservation, preservation, health, poverty, and job training needs identified in the area, by implementing the design for the site created by University of Houston students Giovanni Peña and Charlie Dominguez. The design follows Nature Heritage Society’s parameters to increase the number of native trees, plants and wildlife along a 5-acre portal of the 106-acre site by 30%. High school students at area high schools will be offered internships to work at the site. These include Provision Inc.; a local charter school for young men. This charter school is located in the heart of Sunnyside on a 21 acre campus and has the area’s only urban farm program. On weekends the young men participate in local community service projects to promote civic engagement. Other schools such as Worthing High School, KIPP Academy, and Sterling High School will also participate in the program.

06 BACKGROUND

Economic and health needs are staggering. Federally defined poverty for Sunnyside, South Park, South Acres/Crestmont Park are high at 34%, 27%, 29%, respectively. Consequences stemming from poverty and chronic health issues are highest among Sunnyside residents. In September 2007 the Human Services Bureau and Environmental Bureaus conducted 8,000 door-to-door assessments and 581 in-depth surveys of area residents revealing that 48.7% of adults with children 18 and younger were currently not employed. The report also revealed health issues with environmental precursors including asthma, diabetes, and coexisting chronic health diseases approached three times the rate of the Houston population (HDHHS, 2008). Among residents 45-60 years old primary health concerns were high blood pressure (51.5%), diabetes(21.9%), arthritis (45.4%), and self-reported depression (28.3%). These health needs may be addressed through creative urban design initiatives that provide access to places for physical activity (Estarbrooks, Lee & Gyurcsik, 2003). The poverty, high unemployment, and chronic health issues do not tell whole picture.

07 CHALLENGES + CULTURE

The area is home to Taylor-Stevenson Ranch; a site with great historical relevance. The ranch remains as one of the oldest working ranches in the Houston metropolis and is the first African American-owned airport in the U.S. which also happened to be established by Tuskegee Airmen. Sunnyside is also a pass-through destination on the annual “Trail Ride” where over 3000 cowboys recreate the daily life and trail ride on their Old West journey from cities around Texas into downtown Houston where the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is held each year. Our proposed work is also an attempt to preserve the culture while maintaining economic progress. The proposed work is grounded in the academic rigor of our city’s only Carnegie-designated Public Tier One institution; the University of Houston. Its Office of Green Collar Jobs Research in the Graduate College of Social Work and Community Design Resource Center in the Hines College of Architecture as well as the City of Houston have each independently conducted community needs assessments among residents living around the 106-acre nature conservation and water detention area called “the Hill” at Sims Bayou.

09 CULTURE

NEW NATIVE TREES:

EXISTING NATIVE TREES

NEW NATIVE PLANTS

11 COLLECTIVE EFFORT

NEW NATIVE TREES:

EXISTING NATIVE TREES

NEW NATIVE PLANTS