Exploration Green is launched with dirt flying, as, from left, Councilman David Robinson, Clear Lake City Water Authority Vice President John Branch, Councilmen Jack Christie, Dave Martin, and Mike Laster and Exploration Green Conservancy Chairman Frank Weary break ground.
Four Houston city councilmen took part in the April 12 Exploration Green Groundbreaking and Earth Day Celebration which drew a crowd of about 200 and more than a dozen elected officials and community leaders.
Not so interested in the speeches were dozens of youngsters searching for Easter eggs, eating snow cones and meeting NASA’s huge inflated astronaut, Cosmo. All in all, the festivities including runners, hikers and bicyclists, were a great representation of fun and activities at this new 200-acre gem of public green space in Clear Lake.
Ande Mattei, Intergovernmental Affairs for Mayor Anise Parker presented and read a City of Houston Proclamation signed by Houston Mayor Parker, proclaiming April 12, 2014 as Exploration Green Day in Houston. This followed introductory comments about the Green’s pivotal milestones by Clear Lake City Water Authority Vice Chairman John Branch.
City Councilman Dave Martin, who represents the Clear Lake Area, honored the Exploration Green Conservancy by signing and presenting a City of Houston Certificate of Special Recognition honoring its work and improving the green space.
Four Houston city council members spoke highly of Exploration Green, beginning with Martin, and then at large members Jack Christie and David Robinson and Mike Laster, District J member and supporter of the Clear Lake area. They expressed support for the long-term project to create the storm water detention, recreation and environmental conservation area.
Jeff Taebel, director of Community and Environmental Planning at the influential Houston-Galveston Area Council, made a special effort to attend the groundbreaking to express his support for Exploration Green as an excellent example of partnered community and environmental initiatives that are so important to the Houston region.
Other dignitaries included newly appointed HPD Clear Lake Captain Jerome Stevens, Taylor Lake Village Mayor Jon Keeney, Fangyi Lu of SWA Architecture Group, Sargent Arturo Cruz of the Harris County Precinct 2 Clear Lake office, Bob Stokes of Galveston Bay Foundation and John Jacob of Texas A&M Coastal Watershed Program.
All the while NASA’s Cosmo astronaut mascot roamed the area and wowed the kids with hugs, as runners ran by on the six mile trail and bicyclists checked out the area.
“It is great to see this kind of support from so many Houston area office holders and administrative officials like Jeff Taebel of H-GAC,” said Branch. “The turnout and positive support reflect Exploration Green’s many benefits to local community residents.”
“This event, with all the people and excitement, marks a major advance in the Clear Lake area’s quality of life. This new public green space with its many important benefits make Clear Lake even a better place to live and raise kids,” remarked Exploration Green Conservancy Chairman Frank Weary.
Exploration Green is open to the public and Clear Lake City Water Authority customers are encouraged to visit often to explore Exploration Green.
Check www.ExplorationGreen.org to see photographs and learn more.
