To kick off construction efforts for the two-phase project, coffer dams were installed to dewater the site due to the area’s known tendency for flooding. This process left behind a dry mud slate for the varying sized concrete piers to be installed along the graded land.
“The Houston community has lots of these drainage structures, but this is probably one of the biggest ones in the area,” explains Andrew Konyha, ASLA, PLA at Clark Condon in Houston.
"The real estate that we have above the high water mark, versus everything below the high water mark is probably 1:5. There’s far more real estate going on down below the water line,” Konyha explains. "We were limited on space where we could put permanent structures."
Clark Condon usually opts to design timber boardwalks for the majority of their projects. However, wood wasn't the appropriate choice for Josey Lake Park - its tendency to rot and warp in water-laden conditions made it necessary to scout out a more bulletproof material. PermaTrak's cost-effective and maintenance-free concrete boardwalk material was ultimately selected.
"We knew that wood wasn't an option for us. PermaTrak's durability and sustainability - the capacity to endure these elements made it the right choice for this project," says Konyha.
Phase 2:
Phase 1:
Josey Lake Park stands out due to its more rustic, less manicured style compared to other Houston area parks and master planned communities. Josey Lake is lined with native wetland grasses with significant wetland shelves built into the lake itself. Additionally, the Josey Lake wildlife habitat includes fish (stocked in the lake), ducks, migratory birds and waterfowl that stay in the area year-round. Visitors can also spot the occasional beaver popping up from the lake.
If exploring the sprawling thoroughfare on foot, or canoeing down the waterway isn’t enough of a draw, other desirable Josey Lake Park amenities include: a kayak rental facility, a large pavilion with public restrooms, a birding tower, a playground, and a child-friendly water "mist ground."
Bridgeland, called "Houston's premier master planned community" by its developers, is an upscale housing development comprised of four different villages that sits next to the Josey Lake Park area. Bridgeland residents can easily access Lake Bridgeland, Cypress Lake and Josey Lake - not to mention being able to enjoy the picturesque waterway scenery right from their front yards!