The Woodlands Texas Township
Mitchell’s vision About The Woodlands Texas Township includes homes, parks, shopping centers, and wide pedestrian pathways began in the early 1960’s. His purposeful planning includes entertainment, living, commercial and retail properties. The Woodlands Township now offers a seamless blend of designer homes, shopping, dining, world-class health-care facilities, championship golf courses, parks and more all shrouded by the thousands of trees and natural landscaping.
The Woodlands has more than 114 acres dedicated to shopping and entertainment, there exists an ever-growing list of places to shop, eat, meet, and be entertained. Tweens might enjoy The Gorilla Hole at The Woodlands Bear Branch Recreation Center, and along with older kids, there are several skateboard and bike parks, frisbee golf available throughout The Woodlands. Bowling, Billiards and video games are available at Bowlero in Oak Ridge, or Main Event and Dave & Buster’s both in nearby Shenandoah. Among the many perks of living in The Woodlands, Texas is the fact that residents don’t have to go far in order to find something to enjoy. A typical night out might include a walk through Market Street in Town Center, a ride on the Town Center Trolley, dinner at one of the more than 150 restaurants, followed by a performance at The Woodlands Pavilion, or the Town Center Theater, or one of the free seasonal music events at Waterway Square Park.
The Woodlands also has something for art lovers featuring over 50 outdoor sculptures throughout the community. The Woodlands public art collection began with “The Family,” a towering, freestanding sculpture at the main entrance to the community which was acquired for the 1974 opening.
The Woodlands continues to be committed to extending the collection of outdoor public art and most recently added the piece “The Woodlands Passage”, a series of five limestone sculptures located along Grogan’s Mill Road near The Woodlands Parkway just inside Town Center and close to East Shore. Approximately 7,840 acres of land in The Woodlands is dedicated to protected green spaces, a much larger percentage than you would find in most major U.S. cities.
In addition to a multitude of doctor’s offices and emergency medical centers, two of the world-famous Texas Medical Center hospitals, Memorial Hermann and St. Luke’s Episcopal, have a large presence in The Woodlands. Memorial Hermann The Woodlands is the only Level IV trauma center in Montgomery County, and has undergone four expansions in response to the growing population. The area also features a lifetime’s worth of education; The Woodlands is home to top-ranking public and private schools, as well as graduate-level university campuses; Lone Star College – University Center Campus (formerly North Harris-Montgomery Community College, or, NHMCC) and the University of Phoenix Learning Center The Woodlands .
About The Woodlands Texas Public Properties
There are also plenty of green spaces available to the general public. The Woodlands features approximately 150 public parks in a variety of shapes and sizes. These parks include tot lots in the residential villages, neighborhood parks, as well as larger parks like Town Green in Town Center. The four-acre park is bordered by Market Street, The Waterway, the Pavilion, and the South Montgomery County Library. This park includes a kid-sized literary labyrinth with giant books depicting modern versions of Aesop’s fables as well as a mini amphitheater. Terramont park has a Frisbee golf course, Windvale park features a butterfly garden and three other parks which are dog friendly. The most recent addition to the ever-growing collection of parks is the George Mitchell Nature Preserve, a 1,700 acre park named for the community’s founder. When completed, the preserve will offer a more rugged experience for those who prefer an extreme outdoor sports environment. The park will offer a scenic and challenging setting for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, camping and kayaking. A more leisurely kayaking or swan boat ride, can be had at the Riva Row Boat House where the lower section of The Waterway meets the upper section. Kayaks can be used in Lake Woodlands, a 200-acre lake flanked by two parks. The man made lake is a wonderful place for kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing and fishing. The Swan boats are limited to the 1.8 mile long, upper waterway.
In fact, ask any resident and the most popular reason given for living in The Woodlands is the thousands of trees and natural environment. Some residents frequently see deer from their breakfast room windows as well as squirrels, assorted birds, raccoons, and other wildlife. The Woodlands Waterway is even rumored to be home to several beavers. The Woodlands Golf Courses are considered to be world class and include those designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tom Fazio. The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center features two championship courses on it’s own property. The Woodlands is home to more than eight beautiful golf courses, both public and private. In addition there are two or more driving ranges, The Woodlands Golf Center at the Sam Moon Complex which features a large golf accessory shop, and the Montgomery County driving range which borders the north edge of College Park. Golfers can choose from seven championship golf courses, with 1,690 acres dedicated to 135 holes of golf. There are several golf pro accessory shops in and around The Woodlands as well.
Visit The Woodlands Texas
The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization responsible for promoting The Woodlands and driving demand for The Woodlands as a travel destination. While the main office is on Technology Forest Blvd., a convenient location is at Market Street in Town Center. The Visitor Information Center at Market Street offers a variety of services and assistance to visitors of The Woodlands. Guests are able to call or walkup for directional assistance, entertainment options, or setting a dinner reservation. The center provides concierge-level service to visitors and guests of Market Street and The Woodlands. Visitors to The Woodlands can find the concierge desk at the North Commons area of Market Street in Town Center.
When it comes to overnight accommodations, there are several hotels, inns and resorts in The Woodlands including various Marriott Hotels, the The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Convention Center. The Hyatt Hotel in Market Street is one of the central Town Center area. Additional accommodations include a La Quinta, Fairfield Inn, Comfort Inn, Best Western, Drury Inn and many others. The Woodlands is becoming a weekend getaway paradise as well as a vacation destination for both regional and international travelers. Easy access is available to and from Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH); a short 20 minutes via the Hardy Toll Road and the fewest number of traffic lights allowed by law. The Woodlands Texas is a great place to live, learn, work, and play.
A History - The Woodlands Township
The vision of George Mitchell
About The Woodlands Texas Township
1964
George Mitchell purchased the Grogan’s Cochran Lumber Company land – including 2,800 acres that became the genesis of The Woodlands, marking the original transaction.
1964-74
An additional 300+ transactions were completed in order to assemble the original 17,455 acres. “Developing in harmony with nature” concept was established which emphasized the preservation of existing vegetation and a natural drainage system.
1971
First public school, Lamar Elementary, opened.
1972
Formal announcement of the HUD agreement to provide $50 million in loan guarantees. On September 6, $50 million in 7.1% U.S. governmental New Community Debentures were issued.
1974-1976
October 19, formal opening of The Woodlands. Real Estate Division completed its move to 2201 Timberloch Place. 10-year contract signed with the Houston Golf Association to host the PGA Houston Open. The first village of The Woodlands opened, Village of Grogan’s Mill. In 1976, the second village opened, The Village of Panther Creek.
1983-1984
In 1983, the Village of Cochran’s Crossing opened and the Village of Alden Bridge. In 1984, the Village of Indian Springs opened. Village of Indian Springs is the smallest of the villages, and the only one to not have a public school. The John Cooper School is within this village.
1985
The Woodlands Hospital opened. Lake Woodlands filled with water.
1983-1987
Severe economic downturn as energy prices collapsed and Houston market crashed. The Woodlands increased its share of the housing market.
The Woodlands’ population toppe1990d 30,000. In April, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion opened. #1 in new home sales and closings in Houston for first time. Total investment exceeded $2,000,000,000. The Arnold Palmer Golf Course opened.
1993 & 1995
In 1993, construction of The Woodlands Mall began. Formal announcement of Town Center. Community college campus announced. In 1995, the Village of College Park opened. This village is the location of Lone Star College and Sam Houston State University – The Woodlands Center.
1996
The Woodlands High School opened. Population exceeded 45,000. Tinseltown Cinema opened in Town Center. 1,053 new homes sold – new calendar year record and 1st time to exceed the 1,000 mark. 7th consecutive year – #1 in new home sales in the region.
1997
Population exceeded 50,000. On July 31, 1997 The Woodlands Corporation and all of its assets were purchased by a partnership formed by Morgan Stanley and Crescent Real Estate Equities for $543 million.
2000
Opening of Windsor Hills, “active adult” neighborhood. The opening of the Village of Sterling Ridge, which includes the gated community of Carlton Woods, which was initially a village of its own. Resident diver Laura Wilkinson wins Gold Medal at Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. All time record of 1,679 new home sales set. Milestone of 100 miles of hike and bike trails reached.
2002
Gosling Road Bridge opens, providing a connector to Harris County. The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center opens. The Anadarko Tower is occupied. Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. occupies new building in Town Center. Population exceeds 70,000.
2003
First urban residential projects open on the Waterway in Town Center. Market Street project is under way in Town Center. Rouse Company purchases Real Estate Equities’ 52.7 percent interest in The Woodlands.
2004-2007
Market Street opens. In 2007, The Village of Creekside Park opens. The newest village development to be undertaken by The Woodlands Development Company in Harris County. Planned to have 5,516 single-family production homes, 541 age 55 and over homes, 738 multi-family residences, and 298 custom homes and estate homes in the gated community of Carlton Woods Creekside.
2007
In November elections propositions pass authorizing the expansion of former Town Center Improvement District to cover The Woodlands, reorganization of the district’s board to a seven-member resident-elected board and allowing the district to assess an ad valorem property tax. Town Center Improvement District changes its name to The Woodlands Township.
2010
Township assumes full responsibility for Community Association services. U.S. Census shows population at 97,023.
2011
The Howard Hughes Corp. buys Morgan Stanley’s interest in The Woodlands. ExxonMobil announces plans for a new north Houston campus along the future site of the Grand Parkway near the intersection of Interstate 45 and Hardy Toll Road.
2012
Estimated population exceeds 105,000. St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital undergoes a $25 million expansion project.
2013
Hughes Landing, a a 66-acre mixed-use development situated on the 200-acre Lake Woodlands opens. Hughes Landing houses Whole Foods, Starbucks, multi-family housing, Restaurant Row, Embassy Suites, The Hughes Landing Bandstand, walking paths, and so much more.
The Woodlands was named “Humanitarian of the Year” in 2017 and 2016 and “Master Planned Community of the Year” in 2015 by the Greater Houston Builders Association.
2017
The Woodlands Development Company announces that Waterway Builders, LLC has broken ground on Waterway Landing at East Shore, a 5.4-acre gated enclave of 59 luxury townhomes. Waterway Builders offers three- and four-story townhomes, ranging in size from approximately 2,862 to 4,561 square feet. Homes are priced from the upper $700,000s to more than $1 million.
2019
The Woodlands today, is a 28,000-acre master planned community that practices environmental preservation. It is home to over 116,000 people, and more than 66,000 people work in the community The Woodlands is one of the top-selling master planned communities in Texas and the nation.
Events & Entertainment Guide The Woodlands
Family Activities
The Woodlands Texas public venue annual schedule includes assorted festivals and seasonal events.
Waterway Activities
The centerpiece of Waterway Square is the 120' Waterwall and circular fountain featuring regularly scheduled light and music shows. The public venue also features restaurants, hotels, and is the nightlife area of The Woodlands Texas.
Festivals in The Woodlands
Several festivals and other outdoor events held throughout the year in Town Center. Festival events are frequently held on the Great Lawn in Town Green Park including, the Annual Crawfish festival.
Sports Activities
From the jogging loop in Grogan's Mill, you can travel along the pathways to Disc Golf courses, pickle ball courts, Bocci Ball, and various playfields.
Swimming Pools
Each Village in The Woodlands features aquatics resources like public swimming pools and spray / splash pads. While swimming in the various lakes and ponds, kayaking and boating is welcome in Lake Woodlands.
Live Music in The Woodlands
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The Woodlands Sculptures
The Woodlands is home to one of the largest collections of public art in the State of Texas. From mosaics and sculptures to a growing collection of art benches, there are many pieces to view, and enjoy. Make plans to visit the various mosaics, sculptures and a collection of art-benches, to view, enjoy, and of course, have a sit and a selfie!
The Woodlands Public Parks
Public Parks offer a wide variety of outdoor activities. A public park in The Woodlands is a short bike ride, or a nice stroll away along a nearby pathway. Wheel Friendly Parks are located in several villages, and the softer surface of Millbend Linear Loop in Grogan’s Mill Village is favored by joggers.
The Woodlands Public Art Bench Project
The Woodlands Public Art Bench Project allowed local, national, and international artists to add their own flare to Town Center by contributing a custom built bench. The Woodlands Art Council oversees the benches up to installation prior to handing them off to the The Woodlands Township for the foreseeable future of said benches.
