ORDINANCE approving and authorizing the submission of an application for grant assistance to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Target Range Grant Program, administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, for the creation of an Archery Range at Lake Houston Wilderness Park; declaring the City’s eligibility for such grant; authorizing the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department to act as the City’s representative  in the application process, to accept such grant funds, if awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the program - DISTRICT E - MARTIN

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) requests Council approval to submit a Target Range grant  application to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD). The grant application must be submitted to TPWD by October 15, 2015. HPARD is requesting $750,000 in grant assistance for the development of an Archery Range at Lake Houston Wilderness Park. The total proposed grant project cost estimate is $1,000,000. The source of the City’s required $250,000 match is the Parks Special Revenue Fund 2100.  If the grant is awarded, further Council Action will be required to appropriate the funds. 

Lake Houston Wilderness Park (LHWP) is located in the Pineywoods region, at 22031 Baptist Encampment Road, New Caney, Texas 77357, approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston.  In 2010, HPARD received the first Target Range Grant from TPWD to complete Phase I of the project that included an environmental clearance for the project site and the development of the access road, parking area and sidewalks.  The project site was selected due to its distance from residential areas and other park amenities. The proposed 20-acre, Archery Range at LHWP will be the first of its kind in Houston featuring a variety of outdoor amenities developed for archers of all ages and abilities including separate areas for youth, adults and wheelchair users.  A crushed granite path will lead participants to archer decks with age appropriate shooting options such as 3-D targets, a raised archery platform, and rest areas with shade structures, restrooms, picnic tables, benches and water fountain.  An existing shade pavilion and mobile office will welcome participants and coordinate individual and group services including tournaments.  Safety features such as warning signs and 5' berms will surround the site to shelter it from outside-the-range hikers exploring nearby trails.  Areas will be landscaped with native plants and a drip irrigation system.  The Archery Range at LHWP will be the largest outdoor range in the metropolitan area and will offer both training and competition for amateurs and professionals.  It will extend an opportunity to introduce individuals and families to the sport of Archery.  The Archery Range at LHWP will become part of an overall TPWD plan to promote archery in large urban cities.  The anticipated cost for Phase II of the project is $1,000,000.

Luci Correa

832.395.7057

luci.correa@houstontx.gov