A Short Loop Trail Along A Flood Control Channel

Heritage Park Hike & Bike Trail is a paved trail that follows a familiar template here in Houston - hiking along the bank of a flood control channel and reservoir.  It is a way for the county to increase the utility of the public land during times when it's not flooding.

This particular trail has two sections since it is divided by Hope Village Road.  One section runs northeast of the road and the other (slightly longer) section runs southwest of the road.

I should mention upfront that there is no parking lot for this trail.  You can park in the strip center adjacent to this trail and the walk to it.

There is nothing remarkable about this trail.  There is no sign proclaiming "Heritage Park Hike & Bike Trail" and there are no distance markers.  The scenery isn't all that exciting.  I did see some turtles and egrets, which is par for the course when it comes to these flood control channels.  The trail is a short walk.  On a bike, it would be even shorter.  Doing laps isn't feasible since you have to stop and look out for traffic crossing at Hope Village Road.

On the southwest segment, rather than turning back around by crossing the bridge at Constitution Lane, you can continue walking southwest along the bank on an unimproved dirt trail.  It is not part of the Heritage Park Hike & Bike Trail, but it will take you to Wedgewood Village Park, a small community park on Blackhawk Blvd, and add another 1/2 mile or so to your hike. 

On the northeast segment, the flood control channel continues as well on the other side of Blue Mesa Ridge Drive, but you cannot hike that channel since the county has "No Trepassing" signs posted there.