Leading Foundations, Companies Contribute Almost 
$1 Million for Greenspace for Westchase Campaign

Dream space: Westchase District's $3.2 million campaign fundraising goal has received major support from leadership gift donors. This rendering of Wilcrest Park's event pavilion illustrates the quality of the park design.

Greenspace for Westchase is off to a strong start thanks to major donors boosting a capital campaign to fund much needed parks in Westchase District. Behind the campaign contributions are companies, organizations, and foundations familiar to people across Texas. 

After developing proposals outlining specific needs to build Wilcrest Park, Westchase District approached foundations and companies with a long track record of giving and transforming Houston's communities. Westchase District parks programming director Louis Jullien met with each prospect to discuss funding opportunities for high quality amenities like those in Houston's best parks.

"We invited leading organizations and companies to join our campaign and invest in the community," said Jullien. "We were amazed by the response, especially during a pandemic. These donors gave us leadership gifts totaling almost $1 million which gets us to a third of our overall goal of $3.2 million. This is our first ever capital campaign and a strong testament to a commitment to bring parks to Westchase District." 

An impressive array of corporations and foundations are getting involved
in Greenspace for Westchase.

The Greenspace for Westchase campaign was created to cover the gap in funds necessary to build Wilcrest Park into a regional destination. Find out more at wdcfund.org

Leadership Gift Campaign Donors
  • BGE
  • CenterPoint Energy
  • HEB
  • LAN Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc.
  • Park Eight
  • Perry Homes
  • Phillips 66
  • StedmanWest Foundation
  • Texas Parks & Wildlife
  • The Brown Foundation
 
Sneed Dog Park Opens on February 13


It's time to bark in the park and let your puppy love flow. Built next to Sneed Elementary School on Pagewood Lane, Sneed Dog Park officially opens on Saturday, Feb. 13 with grand opening festivities from 10 a.m. to noon. Sneed Dog Park represents Westchase District's first-ever dog park. "Wherever you go in the District, you'll notice an abundance of residents with dogs on our trails, apartment communities, greenspaces and sidewalks," said Irma Sanchez, Westchase District's vice president of projects. "This park will fill a niche for our community."

Sneed Dog Park was constructed by D.L. Meacham, the same contractor responsible for the Elmside/Woodchase Trail and Woodchase Park. The grand opening festivities 
Ready to play, sniff and fetch: Sneed Dog Park opens on February 13.
will be hosted by Westchase District, with help from some local sponsors, including:

Petco - Staff associates from Petco's Westchase District location at 10911 Westheimer Road will offer attendees free product giveaways as well as cards for a complimentary nail trimming and a free rabies vaccination with an in-store appointment.

Blair Johnson Wellness - Blair Johnson is a certified transformational wellness coach, nutritional consultant and herbalist, certified in holistic care for dogs and cats. Blair will offer information and a drawing for a free dog basket with products from Life's Abundance, which makes nutritious food, treats and supplements for pets.

 Zoe's Kitchen will offer their famous cookies, plus prizes for the "Best Doggie Trick" and "Best Doggie Valentine Costume" contests.

Houston Humane Society - A mobile adoptions expert with Houston Humane Society will be onsite for those interested in adding a new family member or expanding their pet family.

Westchase District will sponsor a pet photo station by Fly Photography to capture pictures of owners and their best friend companions.

The event is free and open to the public. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. 
Literacy Now Presents Virtual Houston Reads Day on March 2 - Campaign Aimed at Funding 5-Year Plan

Addressing a literacy crisis among under-served children, Literacy Now is presenting Houston Reads Day on March 2. According to Literacy Now, reading difficulties can create adverse outcomes for children such as serious behavior problems, joblessness, crime, and homelessness throughout their lifetime.

Low-income children will hear 30 million fewer words over the first four years of their life compared to their more affluent peers. In addition, 41 percent of young children in the Houston area are not ready for kindergarten and 63 percent of third graders in the Houston area do not read at grade level. Literacy Now is launching an $8 million Houston Reads campaign to fund a 5-year expansion plan with goals to:
  • Increase the number of high-needs schools it serves from 10 to 45;
  • Increase the number of students served in its Reading Intervention program from 516 to 2,880; and
  • Reduce the organization's per child cost from $2,246 currently to approximately $1,400.
Literacy Now offers programs at Walnut Bend Elementary School and others throughout West Houston. You can join virtually to support the campaign.
 Thursdays @ 3 p.m. *Rain or shine* St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church
10503 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77042 (at Rogerdale, just west of Beltway 8)


Two Markets Before Valentine's Day Offer An Opportunity to Buy Special Gifts

You can find something at the Farmers Market for just about any holiday. Next up is Valentine's Day which falls on Sunday, February 14.

Crazy in love: This candle's fragrance name says it all.
Shop the market and you'll find treats for your sweetheart and ample ingredients to prepare a special dinner for two. 

Imperial Candle Co. and Ziba Candles are two vendors who have a love for making candles. Their candles go perfect with flowers and chocolates. Imperial Candle Co. makes locally poured luminous soy candles with enticing aromas using natural made ingredients and no dyes.

Ziba Candles are made with 100 percent natural soy wax and the best fragrance oils. Its candles have 100 percent natural cotton fiber wicks that burn clean. Read More

 


Special Pavement to Improve Pedestrian Safety



Westchase District has filled the medians on Westheimer at Rodgerdale Road with cobble stones. The cobble stones are designed to improve pedestrian safety by reducing the number of people who attempt to bypass marked pedestrian crossings and pedestrian crosswalk lights. Not using designated crosswalk areas puts pedestrians at risk with motorists and can be dangerous for both. Westheimer Road is one the state's most heavily traveled roads.


Woodchase Park Website, Facebook Page Launch

Click here: The Westchase District Parks page on Facebook and woodchasepark.com are two digital spaces where people can stay connected to park developments and updates.
  

Do you want to enjoy a bird's eye view of a cleared park site as captured by a drone? You are in luck. Westchase District recently launched woodchasepark.com which has the latest updates on the construction of the District's first park, Woodchase Park. The 1.7-acre park is being built at the end of Woodchase Drive. Visitors can sign up for text alerts, view videos posted on YouTube, and read news blurbs such as Mayor Sylvester Turner's visit to the site.  

"We created the site and began a Facebook page so that people can follow along and feel like witnesses to the creation of the park as much as our staff and construction company, from start to finish," said Sherry Fox, Westchase District vice president of communications. "The content on these digital properties provides a stay-in-the-know experience featuring the latest updates." To follow on Facebook search for @westchasedistrictparks.  


About Westchase District
Westchase District is a municipal management district funded by local property owners in a 4.2 square-mile area centered on Sam Houston Tollway between I-10 and US-59 on the west side of Houston, Texas. 

The district promotes growth by enhancing: 
  • Mobility
  • Beautification 
  • Public Safety
  • Planning and Development

 

Have District-related news on how your business or organization is responding to COVID-19? 

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