Bayou Greenway Day shines light on Houston's bayou system

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Among the long list of festivals and events this weekend was one with a mission to change the way Houstonians think about our bayou system.

It's no easy task, but today may have been one big step.

Houston resident Chad Brown said, "I used to drive through here pretty quick, right? It was kind of rundown."

But it seems the times have changed at Mason Park.

Brown was more than happy to take his toddler, Finlay, to the East End Park along Brays Bayou for "Bayou Greenway Day."

"What they've done along the bayou is amazing, it's really, really nice," said Brown.

Brown wasn't the only one who had an eye-opening day.

"Yeah, the bayou's got a stigma of like, sewer water," said Osama Ahmed, also a Houston resident. "But it was actually really nice, it wasn't dirty."

Ahmed and his friends enjoyed the games, while others enjoyed a little dancing, exercise and even canoeing.

This weekend's festival is not just a one-time event, it's part of a bigger plan for the bayou system.

"That's one reason we want people to come see all the work that we've done, because our goal is to make the bayou safe, accessible and fun for everybody that wants to be out here," said Carter Stern, of the Houston Parks Board.

Stern talked about a project called "Bayou Greenways 2020". It's an effort to create what they call a "continuous parks system along Houston's major waterways." Saturday's event featured that connection of trails along the bayou, between area parks.

"Any day of the week is a good time to come out and take time for family," Delena Chevis of Boy Scouts of America.

That is the kind of attitude the Houston Parks Board said hopes will continue.

"To jump on a bike and be anywhere in Houston is amazing," said Brown.