Where the sidewalks end: Cypress residents concerned for children’s safety

This is the first of a series highlighting the limited transportation option in Northwest Harris County.

Looking twice and holding hands before crossing the street doesn’t help much when the road being traversed is a known Cypress speed zone. And knowing this, one woman is leading the charge to make streets safer for area families.

Cypress Resident Kim Mori said she and others she’s spoken with have noted the lack of connection between neighborhoods, schools and shopping centers other than the roadways, leaving people who want to travel by bike or foot to fend for themselves.

She said the problem underscores the fact that the population is unable to access the community outside of a housing tract.

“So many people are not even going a long distance, but they are required to get into their car,” Mori said. “Texans all think of themselves as independent, but we’re really confined.”

Her concern led her to open communication with employees of Harris County Commissioner Precinct 3 to find out what actions need to be taken to have sidewalks installed. She e-mailed James A. Greeson, Administrative Superintendent for Harris County, Precinct Three.

“Commissioners’ Court, the governing body of Harris County, decided many years ago that road-bridge bond funds would not be used to construct sidewalks,” he wrote. “They were of the opinion that sidewalks and streetlights (illumination) should be provided by the developers of subdivisions and commercial developments.”

Greeson went on to write that sidewalks “make excellent projects” for homeowners associations, civic clubs and parent teacher associations. But most of the roads in question are owned by the county, which makes their proposed solution inapplicable, Mori said.

“What we’re talking about is a major connection of the main arteries of Cypress,” Mori said, “including Spring Cypress, Cypress Rose Hill and Telge Road.”

Mori said that while the concept of sharing the cost is feasible, she believes that the precinct has a responsibility to their residents.

“Cypress is such a beautiful area and there’s such a lost potential there,” she said.

Amanda Sehic of Northlake Forest said she agrees with Mori.

“I think it would be great to have sidewalks, especially along Huffmeister,” Sehic said. “It would connect the neighborhoods and make it easy to get to the shopping center on Spring Cypress Road and Huffmeister.”

Stablewood Farms resident Margaret Williams said while there are extensive trails inside some neighborhoods, there aren’t any that connect them together.

“There isn’t a safe passage for anyone,” Williams said. “There’s no way to get back and forth between Northlake forest and Coles Crossing.”

She said she’s seen children walking to and from Farney Elementary school along the side of the road. Sometimes the kids are let off the late bus on Huffmeister and are responsible for getting themselves home.

“It’s very frightening to see kids riding their skateboards and bicycles along the road,” Williams said. “I think this area needs to focus on safe passages for our residents.”