Willow Waterhole Greenway

09/30/2026

🌿 It's time for another edition of Wildlife Wednesday at Willow Waterhole!

This week we're spotlighting the Poisonbean, also known as Rattlebox (Sesbania drummondii), a native shrub you will often find growing along our lake edges and wetter areas of the park.

Did you know? This plant earns both of its names honestly. The seeds inside its pods are toxic if eaten, which gives it the name Poisonbean, and once those pods dry out, the loose seeds rattle around inside when the wind blows or you brush past it, which gives it the name Rattlebox.

Even though it is not safe to eat, Rattlebox plays an important role here at Willow Waterhole. Its flowers attract pollinators, and it serves as a host plant for certain native butterflies. It is a good reminder that not every plant needs to be useful to us to be valuable to the ecosystem.

📸 Photo Credits: Larry Allain
Spotted some great wildlife on your visits? Drop them in the comments or send us a message, and include your name so we can credit you.

Thanks for celebrating the wild side of our greenspace with us! 💚🌾
See you next Wednesday!

09/29/2026

Wednesday Morning Access at Willow Waterhole

Wednesday, September 30, a press conference will be held on Dryad Street regarding the tragic killing of a Westbury High School student. The press conference begins at 10:00 a.m., with activity and traffic expected to increase beginning around 8:30 a.m.

In support of the family, the Westbury High School community, and our community partners, Willow Waterhole will open the Gasmer Road gates beginning at 8:30 a.m. to provide an alternate entrance and exit. Please see the map for that gate's exact location.

If you plan to visit Willow Waterhole on Wednesday morning, please use the Gasmer entrance if possible and allow extra time for traffic.
We ask our park community for patience, compassion, and understanding tomorrow morning.

09/23/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out for Trees for Birds! We loved spending the day birding with all of you, and a big thank you to our partners at Trees For Houston and Birds Houston for joining us and adding so much to the experience.

If you enjoyed a day outside with us, we have another chance for you this Saturday. Join us for National Public Lands Day VolunBEERing on September 26 from 5 to 7:30 PM at Willow Waterhole Greenway, sponsored by Saint Arnold Brewing Company. We will spend the evening caring for our trails and natural areas, and then celebrate with friends and a well earned beverage.

Sign up for free: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986086096980?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thank you again, and we hope to see you Saturday! 💚

09/17/2026

It's almost time for National Public Lands Day VolunBEERing, sponsored by Saint Arnold Brewing Company!

Join us Saturday, September 26 from 5 to 7:30 PM at Willow Waterhole Greenway to help care for our trails, natural areas, and wildlife habitat. Once the work is done, stick around to celebrate with friends and a well earned beverage, courtesy of Saint Arnold.

What to bring: closed toe shoes, sun protection, and work gloves.

Sign up for free: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986086096980?aff=oddtdtcreator

A big thank you to Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Texas' oldest craft brewery, for sponsoring this event and celebrating our public lands with us. We hope to see you there! 💚

09/14/2026

Join us this Saturday at 9am, at The Rafferty Oak on Triangle Lake, as we partner with Girl Scout Troop 147142 for the grand opening and donation drive of our Sharing Shelf! Come out and celebrate and donate!

09/08/2026

09/07/2026

Have a wonderful Labor Day Everyone!

09/03/2026

Below is a link to a nostalgic video about our great friends and neighbors at the Westbury Little League. It is the 60th anniversary of them winning the Little League World Series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82q3UNvATTI

09/02/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out to Rooted Resilience this past Saturday. We had a great turnout and heard incredible stories about climate disasters, grief, community, and the human spirit.

Thank you to our speakers for having the courage to share, to everyone who came out to listen, and to Drop of the Creator for helping make this evening possible.

Moments like this remind us why storytelling matters, and we already cannot wait for the next one. 💚

08/31/2026

We have a packed September at Willow Waterhole!

Six free events this month, and there is something on this list whether you want to move your body, catch a fish, put in some work with us, or just be outside with your neighbors for an hour.

Sat 9/12 · 9 to 11 AM Urban Paths Wellness Walk. A group walk for mental wellness.

Sat 9/12 · 2 to 7 PM Family Fishing Clinic. We teach kids and families the basics, and gear is provided.

Sat 9/19 · 9 to 10 AM Sharing Shelf Grand Opening. A supply drive and ribbon cutting with the Girl Scouts.

Sun 9/20 · 7:30 to 10 AM Willow Waterhole Bike Tour. A community ride through the Greenway led by Alejandro.

Sun 9/20 · 5 to 8 PM Trees for Birds. Our collaboration with Trees for Houston & Birds Houston, with tree giveaways, bird walks, vendors, and activities for families.

Sat 9/26 · 5 to 7:30 PM National Public Lands Day VolunBEERing, with St. Arnolds. A day of service with some nice refreshments after.

Every one of these is free and every one of them is open to anybody who wants to come. Registration links are on our website at Willowwaterhole.org