Exploration Green Detention Facility | Clear Lake City Water Authority

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Exploration Green Detention Facility

Exploration Green was created for the primary purpose of detention by retrofitting nearly 200 acres of a former golf course open green space in to a series of detention ponds. When local developers expressed interest in turning the area in to a massive commercial development, residents in the community approached the CLCWA Board of Directors. After engineers and hydrologists reviewed the feasibility of the idea the presented by the Board of Directors, voters approved bond funding, and the property was purchased. While the primary intent was for detention, it was recognized that the area could be a multi-purpose space used and enjoyed by the community. A series of town hall meetings were held for public input which helped guide a masterplan layout created by SWA Architects which included ADA accessible trails, native trees and grasses, benches, and other amenities. The original masterplan document can be found here. Construction was divided up into Phases 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5.

Latest Update

Phase 1 has been completed. Phase 2 is wrapping up construction and expected to be ready for tree planting by Fall 2019. Phase 3A has had a delay with permitting issues but should be resolved by August 2019, and then re-bidding this project in August or September. Phase 4 is starting the permitting process soon and should be starting construction very close to the 3A schedule. Phase 5 and 3B will be last, and the order has not been finalized, but we are expecting it all to be complete by 2021.

See past updates

Past Updates

Stories to follow in 2019: Bay Area continues fight against flooding
Despite hiccups, Exploration Green on track for late 2021 completion
(2/13/19) Phase 1 construction is complete and Phase 2 is well under way. Phase 3 is scheduled to start construction in the late spring. We will post more updates soon, but for now we are happy to announce the Exploration Green won an award from the Urban Land Institute. A Facebook video of the nomination is available here.
(3/7/2017) Phase 1A and 1B are now complete. 1A currently has mix of Texas native grasses growing. Phase 1B has a wildflower mix planted for erosion control that is just starting to grow. The Texas native grass seed mix will be planted at 1B later this year when the temperature warms up. The Exploration Green Conservancy will have planted over 200 trees and plants by the end of March in 1A and 1B. Various species of birds have returned to the area.
(3/7/2017) 1C is the final phase of development in this area and will be starting construction soon. Depending on rain delays, we are projecting 1C to be finished by Fall 2017. To view the phase 1 construction layout please see map . To view the entire plan please see the CLCWA Master Plan (PDF file).
CLCWA’s amended discharge permit from the TCEQ was officially approved in September 2016. The amended permit document can be viewed here.

https://www.explorationgreen.org/

The Exploration Green Conservancy, Inc. (EGC) has been formed and incorporated to develop, preserve and protect the land known as Exploration Green (EG).

EGC is dedicated to creating, maintaining and operating the habitat restoration and recreation facilities within Exploration Green while concurrently supporting the use of the area for storm water detention in order to:

enhance the quality of life and outdoor experience for residents in the greater Bay Area;
provide abundant natural habitat areas for migrating and resident wild birds, butterflies and other appropriate wildlife;
create nature trails for hiking, biking and pedestrian commuting, athletic fields and other recreation areas;
create functioning wetlands, lakes and other water features; and
sponsor education efforts via area schools and other groups to enhance understanding of natural habitats, wildlife, environmental conservation, wetlands and storm water issues.

For more information on how to volunteer or contribute please visit their website at: https://www.explorationgreen.org/.

Exploration Green Detention Facility

Awards

The Exploration Green project has been recognized for several awards:

2018 EPA Green Infrastructure Award – National Association of Flood & Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA)
2018 Exploration Green Day Proclamation – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner
2018 Mayor’s Proud Partner Recognition – Keep Houston Beautiful, Mayor Sylvester Turner
2018 Guardian of the Bay – Galveston Bay Foundation
2018 Allied World Resilience Award – National Wildlife Foundation
2018 Special Service Award – Houston region Sierra Club
2016 Our Great Region “Connections Award” – H-GAC
2015 Arbor Award – Trees for Houston
Exploration Green Conservancy and Executive Board Member Debra Goode both received an annual Arbor Award from Trees For Houston, our highly acclaimed partner for acquiring, nurturing and planting native Texas trees.
2015 American Society of Landscape Architects Texas Chapter Honor Award – American Society of Landscape Architects
Landscape architectural firm SWA Architecture Group, creator of the detailed Exploration Green Master Plan, received national recognition for the concept and quality of the project’s Master Plan.
2013 Exploration Green Day Proclamation – Houston Mayor Anise Parker
2013 Parks and Natural Areas Award for Planning – Houston-Galveston Area Council
EGC won the Planning Award while facing stiff competition like the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, testifying to the project leadership’s clarity of vision and planning, our partner organizations in this enterprise, and the number and enthusiasm of our volunteer corps.
2013 Mayor’s Proud Partner Recognition – Keep Houston Beautiful, Mayor Anise Parker
The Office of Houston Mayor Anise Parker recognized CLCWA’s “tremendous efforts on behalf of our city.” Keep Houston Beautiful honored the Exploration Green flood control, conservation and recreation project.

Articles

Exploration Green has been recognized in articles around the area, Texas, and the Nation.

Houston Chronicle

Exploration Green protected from commercial development forever

Past Updates

Awards

Articles

Partnerships

Exploration Green Detention Facility Photo Galleries