First Tree-Planting Event at Fry Road Detention Basin Unites Community for Greener Future in Katy North
In a region where development has rapidly replaced open fields with rooftops and pavement, a grassroots effort is taking root—literally.
On Friday, November 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., a crew of local residents and students in the Katy North will take part in the first tree-planting event hosted by One Creek West in partnership with Fry Road MUD. Taking place at the Fry Road MUD detention basin located at 20001–20009 Park Row, the initiative will see a total of 416 trees—ranging in size from 5-gallon to 30-gallon—planted across the site. All of the trees are generously donated by Trees for Houston, a regional leader in reforestation efforts.
The event marks a major milestone for One Creek West’s “Trees for Katy” campaign, which aims to combat urban heat, restore green space, and foster community spirit through data-driven tree planting across neighborhoods in the unincorporated stretch between Katy and Houston.
"We have recruited a bunch of high school students, which makes this event an undertaking so worthwhile. They are terrific," organizers shared. Students from area schools will not only assist in planting but also earn volunteer hours, gaining hands-on experience in environmental stewardship while helping shape a healthier local ecosystem.
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Judith McLaughlin, a longtime advocate and representative with One Creek West, expressed gratitude for the collaborative spirit fueling the effort. “The Fry Road MUD is a very special organization, and we are proud and honored to be allied with them,” she said.
This new initiative builds upon the foundation already laid through Trees for Katy, a response to alarming data on tree canopy loss, rising heat disparities, and flooding risks in the Katy North area. The region, stretching between State Highway 6 and the Grand Parkway (SH 99), has seen a 25% rise in residential development and a 70% surge in commercial construction over the past decade. Meanwhile, tree canopy coverage remains below 17%—a number the group is determined to change.
Detention basins like the one at Park Row offer a unique opportunity. Typically underutilized green spaces managed by MUD districts, they are ideal for tree planting thanks to their size, access to water, and stormwater retention capabilities. The addition of trees provides critical cooling benefits, supports biodiversity, stabilizes soil, and enhances water quality—factors especially important in flood-prone, heat-stressed areas of Harris County.
According to the National Wildlife Federation and Trees for Houston, tree-shaded neighborhoods can be up to 10 degrees cooler than their treeless counterparts. Trees such as native pecans, American sycamores, and bur oaks help mitigate the urban heat island effect while offering long-term resilience to drought and extreme weather.
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This first-of-its-kind planting event is also a testament to what happens when community members come together with a shared vision. Representatives Alecia Pacheco and Judith McLaughlin of One Creek West have consistently emphasized the importance of not waiting for others to bring change, but rather working locally to foster sustainability, equity, and beauty—one tree at a time.
For residents of Katy North, the tree-planting event is more than a morning of digging in the dirt. It’s a chance to leave a lasting impact for future generations, improve the neighborhood's livability, and cool the streets that too often radiate unrelenting summer heat.
To stay updated on environmental initiatives in the Katy and West Houston areas, follow My Neighborhood News for ongoing community stories and opportunities to get involved.
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.
