While much of the Katy area buzzed with summer activity, One Creek West, Inc. has been quietly but diligently advocating for the long-term well-being of North Katy residents—one street sign, crosswalk, and community partnership at a time.

Formed as a civic nonprofit focused on the neighborhoods along North Fry Road and I-10, One Creek West is led by a small but committed board of directors who live in the area they serve. Their summer advocacy has focused on three key areas: improving infrastructure, collaborating with county officials, and strengthening community identity through history and heritage.

Pushing for Visibility, Safety, and Shade in North Katy

One of the more visible symbols of the community’s frustration has reappeared: the Walmart sign at North Fry and I-10. Just one year after its installation, the sign has again faded in the intense Houston sun.

“It is again an eyesore and embarrassment for our community,” noted Judith McGlaughlin, writing on behalf of One Creek West. She explained that the organization contacted Walmart—again—requesting durable materials for future repairs. “If we don’t see anything in 60 days, we’ll call again,” she added.

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But advocacy efforts haven't stopped there. Board member Carlos Espinoza took direct action this summer to improve pedestrian safety near homes and schools. His request for a crosswalk at Westgreen Boulevard and Wheat Snow Lane was approved—and implemented—setting a new precedent for future improvements.

“If this new crosswalk is serving your kids, that’s great! If it is not, the County’s response sets a precedent we can follow,” McGlaughlin said.

The group is also preparing a list of faded or damaged street signs in the area—particularly those suspended in the middle of intersections—and plans to petition Harris County Engineering for replacements. Previous requests for individual signs have been successful.

On the left, the Walmart "mega" sign was replaced only a year ago. On the right, Harris County Precinct 4

Cullen Park Trail Resurfacing: A City-County Collaboration

This summer also brought a major win for those who walk, run, or bike along the Cullen Park Hike and Bike Trail. About half of the trail has been resurfaced in a joint effort between the City of Houston’s Parks and Recreation Department and Harris County Precinct 4.

The project addressed extensive damage caused by root heaving—where expanding tree roots disrupt the asphalt path, creating unsafe conditions. Using capital funding from Precinct 4’s Places 4 People program, the City was able to repair a particularly dangerous section near South Mayde Creek, where rising water flows have nearly doubled the creek’s width near Greenhouse Road.

This repair is part of a broader series of City-County collaborations aimed at improving Cullen Park, a major green space serving North Katy and West Houston families.

Harris County Precinct 4 and the City of Houston teamed up to repave much of the Cullen Park Hike & Bike trail.

Katy East Community Plan Enters Action Phase

One Creek West has also played a key role in shaping and now helping implement the Katy East Community Plan, a strategic vision created by Harris County Precinct 4 with input from residents and stakeholders.

All three One Creek West board members serve on the plan’s Steering Committee, which met in April to identify short-term, high-impact priorities. These include:

• Partnering with local groups to identify cultural or heritage sites to strengthen community identity
• Planting trees to reduce heat and improve neighborhood livability
• Expanding workforce training in collaboration with local school districts and colleges
• Supporting nutrition education in local schools

“We hope to play an important part in the first two objectives,” McGlaughlin wrote. One Creek West has already demonstrated its commitment to the area's natural and cultural heritage through new research into Cullen Park's hidden history.

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Uncovering the Hidden Stories of Cullen Park

As community leaders look to identify historic landmarks in the area, one candidate has already emerged: a little-known grove of century-old pecan trees tucked inside Cullen Park.

Many residents had no idea the trees existed, let alone their age. “Turns out, they’re at least 100 years old,” McGlaughlin said.

The group has begun researching pioneer families who originally settled what is now Cullen Park and the Addicks Reservoir. Their goal is to connect modern-day residents with the people and stories that shaped the region long before it became part of metropolitan Houston.

“These families struggled not only with a land that easily flooded, but by the rapid advancement of new technologies that eventually made their virgin, isolated land part of the larger community called Houston,” McGlaughlin noted.

Thanks to contributions from local historians Andrea Renee Stahman and Martha Doty Freeman, One Creek West now has access to a growing archive of historic photos and documents—many provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the construction of the Addicks Reservoir.

Keep following along as My Neighborhood News, One Creek West, and other local partners dig deeper into the untold stories and hidden history that helped shape the community you call home.

Staying Local, Staying Committed

From infrastructure fixes to preserving the region’s roots, One Creek West continues to reinforce its core mission: keeping North Katy “a nice place to live.” Their approach combines patience, persistence, and a deep understanding of the county’s departments and processes.

While the changes may not always be flashy, they are meaningful—improving the everyday lives of families who live near Cullen Park, shop at Fry Road retail centers, and send their kids to Katy ISD schools.

To stay informed about future updates and community-led initiatives in North Katy, stay connected with My Neighborhood News.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

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.