Commissioner Lesley Briones celebrated officially accepting a $468,724 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to expand and enhance programming at the John Paul Landing Environmental Education Center, her office announced in a May 23 Facebook post.

The grant will support the creation of new interpretive exhibits and important interior and exterior upgrades, transforming the center into a more vibrant, accessible, and versatile space for environmental education and community engagement. “This investment reflects Precinct 4’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities and protecting our natural spaces,” said the post.

John Paul Landing is located at 24202 West Road in Cypress, with an environmental education center at 9950 Katy Hockley Road. The 876-acre park features a 176-acre lake that serves as a major flood detention facility for the area and accommodates terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. Other amenities include a cricket field, exercise stations, licensed fishing, pickleball, a picnic area, a playground, and four reservable pavilions. To view events held at John Paul Landing, go to https://cp4.harriscountytx.gov/events.