Faulkey Gully Hike and Bike Trail Extension to Begin Construction in December 2025, Connecting Key Northwest Harris County Trail Segments
Harris County Precinct 3 and the Faulkey Gully Municipal Utility District (FGMUD) have finalized plans to extend the Faulkey Gully Hike and Bike Trail, with construction set to begin in early December 2025, according to official permit filings. The $3.78 million project will add 2.06 miles of new trail from Spring Cypress Road to Guernsey Drive, bridging a key gap in the county’s expanding trail system. Completion is projected for early July 2026.
The project includes a 10-foot-wide asphalt and concrete path, a pedestrian undercrossing at North Eldridge Parkway, and a pedestrian bridge crossing tributary K142-03-00. The new section—designed by IDS Engineering Group—will add approximately 147,000 square feet of paved trail, enhancing connectivity and outdoor access for thousands of residents in the Tomball and Cypress areas.
A 30-Year Community Vision Moves Forward
The upcoming construction represents Phase III of the Faulkey Gully trail system, an effort that began more than three decades ago. In the 1990s, FGMUD partnered with nearby utility districts and Harris County to fund and build the first 1.9 miles of the trail, stretching from Lakewood Forest Drive to Guernsey Road.
According to a community statement issued by FGMUD, property constraints had previously stalled Phase III. Those issues have since been resolved, allowing the County and FGMUD to move forward with the original vision: connecting Spring Cypress Road in the north to existing trail segments to the south and further into the Cypress Creek Greenway system.
“Completing this trail not only fulfills a longstanding community initiative, but it also strengthens our regional mobility and recreational infrastructure,” said Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E., in recent grant application documents.
Funding and Partnerships
The Faulkey Gully trail extension is funded through a combination of public sources:
- $1.4 million from Harris County Precinct 3
- $627,510.59 in engineering services contracted with IDS Engineering Group, exceeding the county’s MWDBE goal with 22.97% participation
- A $300,000 Recreational Trails Program grant submitted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Local matching funds totaling more than $2.67 million
The Faulkey Gully MUD Board approved a Joint Participation Interlocal Agreement with Harris County in April 2023, committing to fund engineering and construction materials. The County will oversee construction and assume maintenance and liability for the trail once completed.
To support local funding needs, FGMUD introduced a voluntary beautification fee of $5 per month on residents’ water bills, with an opt-out option available. This measure aimed to offset costs as some originally involved utility districts are not participating in the final phase.
Regional Trail Connectivity
When completed, the new trail section will connect a network of over 10 miles of continuous hike and bike paths:
- To the north, it will link with 5 miles of trail under development by NW Harris County MUD 5
- To the south, it will connect with the existing Faulkey Gully Trail (1.9 miles) and Cypresswood Trail (2.75 miles)
- Future expansions are planned to extend trails across Jones Road, behind the HP campus, and toward Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve along Cypress Creek
The project supports broader county goals related to public health, transportation, environmental sustainability, and customer service, according to project documentation submitted to Commissioners Court.
Public Engagement and Timeline
The trail extension project was discussed in multiple Commissioners Court meetings between 2023 and 2024, with major approvals including:
- January 2023: Approval to submit a grant application to Texas Parks and Wildlife
- April 2023: Approval of the Interlocal Agreement with FGMUD
- July 2023: Authorization to negotiate professional services contract
- December 2023: Contract awarded to IDS Engineering Group for project design
- June 2025: Project permits filed to prepare for construction mobilization
Construction is scheduled to begin in early December 2025, and conclude by early July 2026.
Community members with questions or interest in contributing to the trail’s development can contact Director Szyman at FGMUDP3@comcast.net.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for ongoing updates on Harris County infrastructure projects.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.