Montgomery Community Regional Park Takes Shape

Montgomery County will soon have a new community park for residents and visitors to enjoy community and outdoor recreational opportunities. Envisioned by Precinct 2 County Commissioner Charlie Riley, the Westwood Magnolia Improvement District (WMPID), Lake Creek Greenway, and numerous community groups, the regional community park will ensure that people of all ages and areas of interest can utilize and enjoy the park year-round.

Early in 2024, the Montgomery County Precinct 2 Community and Sports Park Master Plan proceeded through a community input phase. Now, the responsible groups move on to the fundraising phase for the major regional park in south Montgomery County that will offer recreational, adventure, educational, sports play and community gathering opportunities to serve everyone every day.

Multi-use space

The regional park will be on 370 acres of forest land adjacent to the north bank of Lake Creek, bounded to the east by Fish Creek Thoroughfare and to the north by the Woodforest Golf Club. The plan calls for 40 acres of playgrounds, pickleball courts, high-quality sports fields, paved trails, a large splash pad, an amphitheater, picnic areas, and pavilions anchored by a large multi-use Nature-Community Center. The remaining acreage will border Lake Creek as an undisturbed nature preserve with multi-use trails that link to the existing 110-acre preserve managed by the Lake Creek Greenway Partnership.

Meeting the needs of regional growth

The park will serve the recreational and quality of life needs of a regional population experiencing exponential residential and commercial growth. Montgomery County’s population has increased by 121% over the past 21 years. Since 2020, the County has increased residential rooftops by 19% and total taxable values by nearly 67%. As a result, forests and farmland have given way to expansive master-planned subdivision developments. Setting aside areas for natural experiences and outdoor recreation is essential to preserving riparian and forestland for sustained and responsible use by county residents and others.

Aligning to natural environments

The park is designed to provide access to outdoor experiences in various manners. Playgrounds, trees, picnic pavilions, and ample open space will be created in the upper portion of the park for informal play, fitness and association. An amphitheater will host outdoor concerts, movies, and other gatherings. Designers utilized the existing floodplain to create a large lake as a recreational amenity and stormwater detention facility. 

Partnership with the Lake Creek Greenway Association opens access to the adjacent 110 acres of trail-rich natural space. A large Nature-Community Center will connect the open southern portion of the park as a dedication to education and advocacy of local wildlife, diverse plant life, and ecosystems. 

Space for all

The Nature-Community Center will have flexibility as an educational, recreational, and gathering place serving the entire community year-round. It will be the cornerstone of the park’s open play, natural space and trails. It will be an ideal location for celebrations, amphitheater concerts, art walks, and more. The Nature Center component will house permanent and traveling exhibits to provide awareness, educate, and celebrate the flora and fauna of Montgomery County and Central Texas.

An extensive nature-centric library and lab space with window-lined classrooms will offer students and professional groups the space necessary to facilitate hands-on science and natural learning to focus on understanding and fostering a sustainable, healthy habitat for Montgomery County. Multi-purpose space will be available for private, public, and community events like weddings, election polling, and emergency response and recovery operations. 

Top-of-the-line sports amenities

The northern portion of the park will be dedicated to traditional community park programming and will include six top tremendous baseball/softball fields, pickleball courts, and numerous field spaces for soccer, football, lacrosse, rugby, and other athletic pursuits. Local teams will be able to practice and play there, while championship-level off-site tournaments will also be possible. Design plans include the newest lighting technology and some fields with high-quality synthetic material. Priority has been placed on spectator, organizer and team experiences, with easily accessible restrooms and concessions. 

Serving everyone, every day

The regional park is a testament to the collaborative nature of the Montgomery County community, including partners such as WMPID, Lake Creek Greenway Partnership, Precinct 2 Neighborhood Associations, Magnolia & Conroe ISD, Lone Star College, Montgomery County Sports Leagues and Montgomery County 4H.

Please contact WMPID for answers regarding fundraising possibilities or visit WMPID's website to learn more about ongoing projects and how you can get involved in preserving and enhancing our community’s recreational spaces. Together, we can continue to make our region a vibrant, active and thriving place to live.