Conservancy hits fundraising mark as Sugar Land moves to annex park

An unidentified man peers over the railing of White Lake's observation deck at Cullinan Park Conservancy in Sugar Land. An unidentified man peers over the railing of White Lake's observation deck at Cullinan Park Conservancy in Sugar Land. Photo: Dylan Aguilar, Staff Photo: Dylan Aguilar, Staff Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Conservancy hits fundraising mark as Sugar Land moves to annex park 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The Cullinan Park Conservancy has quickly reached its goal of raising $500,000, which paves the way to bring the park under the city of Sugar Land's jurisdiction to eventually create a 1,000-acre greenbelt in the northern part of the city.

"We see Cullinan Park as a place where people can bird-watch, canoe, hike and enjoy nature," conservancy president Ann Hamilton said. "People are becoming more interested in such amenities since many of our natural habitats are being paved over for development."

An agreement with Sugar Land has set annual fundraising goals for the conservancy over the next 10 years. Per the agreement, the conservancy had to raise an initial $500,000 before Sugar Land would annex the park, which the city of Houston has agreed to release from its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Hamilton and conservancy board member Dan Neale told Sugar Land's council this month that the George Foundation has committed $1 million over four years to the park for improvements of which $250,000 will be awarded now.

The foundation made the commitment after the intentions of Houston and Sugar Land regarding the park were formalized, Neale said. Once that foundation took action, the conservancy board sought funding from the Wortham Foundation, which has promised an additional $250,000.

"We had good connections with foundations in Houston, but they wanted to see what the local leaders and local foundations, such as the George Foundation, would do before making a commitment," Neale said.

The agreement between the conservancy and Sugar Land also stipulates that the conservancy raise $5 million within five years and $10 million by the 10-year mark to underwrite park improvements. If the group fails to do so, Sugar Land has the option to withdraw from its interlocal agreement with Houston.

Sugar Land's city staff estimates the formal annexation process will begin immediately and will take up to 60 days to complete.

The park covers more than 754 acres on the west side of Texas 6 near Sugar Land Regional Airport. The park's entrance is just north of the airport.

The combination of Cullinan Park and the proposed Gannoway Lake Park, which would be on the east side of Texas 6 just across from Cullinan, will create a greenbelt of more than 1,000 acres.

The conservancy formed nearly three years ago with goals that included finding a partner who could provide police protection and help maintain the park, Neale said.

The park is owned by the Houston Parks Board, which holds two tracts, and city of Houston which holds two tracts. The city will retain ownership because state law prohibits municipalities from giving away land without voters' consent.

The park has seen little development over the past 25 years.

An interlocal agreement approved by the Sugar Land council will place the park under that city's jurisdiction for 30 years with an option to renew for additional 30. Houston will de-annex the park from its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Cullinan Park is comprised primarily of inaccessible forest and wetlands. It contains two large lakes and part of Oyster Creek. It is home to a variety of animals including birds, alligators, bobcats and snakes. More information is available at cullinanparkconservancy.org. The site contains a link to the group's Facebook page which holds numerous photos of wildlife in the park.

Estimates for Sugar Land to maintain the park run around $68,000 annually, according to city staff. That cost has been incorporated into the fiscal year 2016 budget.

The conservancy has updated a master plan for the park that dates to 1991 and plans to implement the plan in $500,000 phases, Neale said.

The first phase, he said, will include building new hiking trails, freshening up the entry way and road, clearing out brush and making improvements to the park's picnic area. Phase 2 will include more hiking trails. The conservancy envisions adding bridges, installing a picnic pavilion and creating a children's nature area.

Hamilton said improvements must be in concert with the vision of the park as a place of natural beauty and peacefulness.

Plans for Gannoway Lake Park, according to city documents, include creating a park with a playground, trails, bird watching, fishing and canoeing amenities. That proposed park is in the conceptual stage, with no budget or timetable yet for development.

Cullinan Park is named after Nina Cullinan, the daughter of Texaco founder Joseph Cullinan.

The Houston Parks Board created the park in 1989 through donations from the estate of Nina Cullinan, the Brown Foundation, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the city of Houston, according to the conservancy website.

Hamilton said the total purchase price for the park in 1989 was $6 million.