The Pier Is Here!
/The Greenway’s newest amenity The Willow Waterhole Conservancy is pleased to announce that our long-awaited Westbury Lake Pier is now complete and ready for your enjoyment. Located in Westbury Lake behind the Westbury Little League field, the 8-foot-wide pier extends 46 feet into the lake, makes a 90 degree turn, and then extends another 32 feet. It is ADA compliant and enclosed by a custom safety railing. The pier will soon be accessible by an ADA-compliant concrete trail leading from the top of the hill down to the water’s edge. The current dirt trail is located off Dryad Street before the gazebo parking lot.
The pier was designed by Cobb Findley and Associates of Houston. Because of periodic hurricane-strength winds and heavy flooding, structural integrity was key. The pilings were drilled 15 feet into the bottom of the lake. A relatively new PermaTrak® product, which uses individual precast concrete components, including reinforced beams and boardwalk treads, allows the pier to be submerged without damage during high-water events.
Initially supported by Brays Oaks Management District, the Willow Waterhole Conservancy began design and fundraising activities in 2017. The $260,000 cost of construction was privately funded by individuals and organizations, with lead grants from the Kinder Foundation, Russell and Janie Schexnayder, and the Harris County Precinct One Commissioner's Office.
Now that the pier is finished, here are just some of the ways you can enjoy it:
- Cast a fishing pole and catch your supper. The lake was stocked in 2020 by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with bass, catfish, and sunfish. See fishing rules here.
- Teach a child the joys of fishing. Where else in southwest Houston can you do that?
- Arrange for students to sample the lake’s water and identify nearby flora and fauna.
- Bring your camera to capture the egrets, herons, and other bird species found in the water and along its edge.
- And of course, simply admire Westbury Lake’s serene panorama.
April has the perfect Houston weather for the out-of-doors. Hope to see you at the pier soon!
