A message from
COMMISSIONER R. JACK CAGLE
M
any of us enjoy learning about the struggles, triumphs, and tragedies of those who came before us through articles, books, movies, and documentaries. But we should occasionally look beyond the history books to the legends and lore passed down through the generations. Although we can't verify these stories, we should treasure them almost as much as the tales documented in the history books. As we head into spooky season, our cover story, "Precinct 4 Legends and Lore," highlights some of Precinct 4's ghost towns, haunted parks, and hidden burial grounds. Read about buried treasure, a missing mistress, a haunted café, and other macabre tales in this roundup of Precinct 4's most enduring legends. Many parks bear the names of beloved philanthropists, public servants, and historical figures. If you enjoy bite-sized histories with a local spin, I encourage you to read "Who's Behind the Name?" You’ll discover Jesse Jones, Art Storey, Dennis Johnston, and more in these fascinating histories that add another layer of interest to the parks and roads named after popular Harris County residents. Do you notice abandoned shopping centers and malls in your area? This issue also explores how the digital age and the COVID-19 pandemic affected our shopping habits and led to widespread closures in some areas. "Small Town Aesthetic" spotlights a family of developers reshaping Tomball for the new age. We continue this theme in "Revitalizing Communities," which explores the changing retail landscape and what shoppers may expect in the future. I'm immensely proud of our accomplishments along the Spring Creek Greenway. Harris County Judge Jon Lindsay began preserving land along Spring and Cypress creeks more than 40 years ago. Today, your Precinct 4 crews connect these greenspaces by building parks and trails. We spotlight this history and the greenway’s future in "Connecting Communities." Learn about the improvements, extensions, and connections planned along the greenway and how to explore our existing trails. Mercer Botanic Gardens remains one of Precinct 4's most important treasures. Opened in the 1970s, this community jewel features botanical treasures and serene gardens surrounded by pine forests along Cypress Creek. As the only free botanic garden in Harris County, Mercer retains a loyal following of visitors who support and strive to improve it.
Read about our plans to expand the gardens and make them more flood resilient. We include information about Mercer's new master plan and what amenities you can expect in the future. This issue also contains information about your community. Read about some of the outstanding accomplishments of your local municipal utility districts and the technology of Harris County Flood Control District. As always, my team would love to hear from you. Submit article ideas, important community projects, and other newsworthy events and issues to our editor and communications director, Joe Stinebaker, at jstinebaker@hcp4.net. With your help, we hope to tailor Precinct4Update to reflect your needs and interests because it truly is "for you."
R. Jack Cagle
1
