ACTION 13: Giant hole in Hogg Park to be fixed after ABC13 reached out to the city

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston Public Works said a waterline was improperly abandoned, creating a massive hole in Hogg Park.

Hogg Park is just north of downtown along White Oak Bayou. The hole is off the main walking trail, but washed out next to an I-45 retaining wall. The hole first formed in early January, and no work was done to fix it until ABC13 got involved.

"What I see first is a colossal pipe has been breached," park goer Daniel Haim said.

The giant hole is about eight feet deep and fifteen feet across, exposing gravel and dirt near I-45.

"Then there is this retaining wall. The bottom two sections of the retaining wall look like they have fallen downward, so probably the dirt underneath them has been undermined," Haim said.

Right off the popular White Oak hike and bike trail and next to the Leonel J. Castillo Community Center, park goers said this seems like a major safety concern

"Let's say you were walking your dog and your dog went over there, you or your dog could potentially fall in because it's grass, grass, grass, sudden drop," park goer Isaac Reyes said.

People who spoke to ABC13 said that between the park and proximity to I-45, they're concerned and want it fixed.

Public works said they believe a valve may have been left open, allowing the water line to backfill, causing the problem. Public Works said a team will be at the park on Tuesday to properly abandon the line and fill the hole.

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