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Terry Hershey Park
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Energy Corridor
15200 Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77079
(281) 496-2177
15200 Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77079
(281) 496-2177
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
13 reviews for Terry Hershey Park
Man, oh man - this is a biker's paradise! With 10 miles of paved trails weaving through trees, bending around curves, and rising and falling over hills, it's the perfect place to get your bike on.
If you're feeling extra adventurous, have a bit of mountain biking experience, and have just a bit of the crazies, try what's known as the anthills - it's a pretty darn technical path that goes right alongside the bayou. If you're like me, a novice rider, stay on the paved road until you're pretty secure with your skills, or try Memorial Park first. Otherwise, you'll find yourself literally up a creek without a paddle, and with a flat tire & a busted chain to boot.
Even if you're not a big fan of the biking, grab your rollerblades or just your running shoes and enjoy the scenery. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy the serenity of the outdoors while getting a little exercise too.
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- Useful (3)
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Amazing. Been looking for a trail to go cycling on and I've found my place. The path is nicely paved. I went during the day so I didn't get the pack of joggers.
I really love this path because it makes you feel somewhere else. You wouldn't believe you were in a city like Houston if you looked around. Trees galore and nature at it's finest. Peaceful place just to get away from the stressful city life.
What I love most about this path is that it's NOT flat. Hills do suck but these are SMALL rolling hills. It gives you some hill training but doesn't wear you out. And with every uphill there's a nice downhill. This path is also curvy at points. I'm still a rookie at riding so curves scare me but I do enjoy the thrill.
There are cops that cycle through the area if you are worried. There doesn't seem to be any lights so I wouldn't ride at night. I wouldn't run on this because there's no give I would rather run at memorial or rice. But as far as bike trails to this point it's in a league of it's own.
I want to be able to ride all the way out to george bush park. Until then the review ends between beltway and elridge.
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- Useful (5)
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While Houston's hot weather keeps me at the gym most of the year, when it cools down you can find me walking or jogging the trails at Terry Hershey Park. I have been using this trail for over 10 years and have become well acquainted with it (especially the time I got lost and ended up jogging/walking 6 miles so please look at the maps they have dispersed along the trail). The trail runs from the Beltway to Highway 6. There are several areas to park along the trail, depending which leg or section is your favorite. My current favorite is the Beltway 8 to Wilcrest. Just over 2.5 miles, this leg of the trail is hilly and at times the path is dense with foliage and trees, obscuring the houses and civilization. There are even a few areas where sound is blotted out and all you hear is your feet hitting the pavement and the occasional bug. As Dolph mentioned in his review, the trail can get dark in certain areas and this portion has minimal lighting. I went out at dusk one evening and cut my run short due to how dark & creepy the trail got.
I prefer this trail over Memorial and I find it challenging because of the hills. Keep in mind that there is a steep "S" curve before Wilcrest (heading west). If you see a cyclist, give them the right of way because most need every spare inch to maneuver through it without eating pavement or knocking you over.
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- Useful (5)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (5)
houston, why have you been hiding this place?! i'm so amazed to find a spot for all the challenges a biker or a jogger would need to take on an advanced course. it's a blessing to have an uninterrupted trail without having to dodge car traffic intersections and for a great deal of miles. i was totally taken by surprise on some of the inclines and the turns. i'm seriously happy that i bust a tire the day before and had to get new tires because i seriously think i would have ate it.
i was always envious of town lake park and the hills in austin but now i'm very elated by trying out this trail. it's a hidden gem and kinda glad that it's hidden from the streets. move over bear creek, white oak, allen parkway, i got a new fun trail until the next. what's great is that it connect to george bush park to double up on your mileage.
today was damn fun on that trail. it's a pretty intense trail so you better make sure you're up for it before you go. i can't wait to go again. maybe i'll even run the trail too!
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I love this place. My friend and I used to always ride our bikes back here in high school. Check out the "bowl" closest to the Wilcrest intersection. You might find some cool middle schoolers doing illegal things, but you will also find ramps and jumps and stuff. So take it or leave it.
I love letting my dog off the leash and running back in the trails.
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Now, I haven't been to Terry Hershey since 2003, a full-moon evening with my high school boyfriend. It was my only visit there, but growing up in Katy, I didn't get a lot of nature exposire, so that night's still sharp in my memory.
I twisted my ankle on a dark path that evening, but the damage was far from permanent, and the many bunnies we spotted hop-hopping through the tall grass, as well as the beautiful, clear view of the sky surprisingly close to the highway, made up for it.
Houston has so many hidden gems of parks and pockets of nature that most people don't take the time to experience. Do yourself a favor and try Terry Hershey Park for a walk or a bike ride.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
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If there's one thing that Steve Radack does well, it's building parks. Terry Hershey Park is the shining jewel in that crown, and for good reason.
The park provides nearly eleven miles -- almost all of it hidden away from main streets -- of trails for running, rollerblading, biking or just a leisurely stroll. In its elongated shape, the trails run from Beltway 8 to Highway 6 and I-10 (the trail forks towards the end, and you can choose which major artery to end up on). There are dozens of trailheads along the way, so you can start and stop at any point.
In some parts, the park is wide open and hilly, with areas for sunbathers, frisbee players and frolicking dogs. In others, the park descends to bayou level and is entirely shaded by old-growth trees and the quiet sounds of nature. As with sections of Memorial Park, you'd never know that you were in the middle of Houston.
The park offers great amenities along the way, such as a runner's shower, a well-stocked playground, doggie drinking fountains (as well as human drinking fountains), stationary workout equipment and relatively clean restrooms.
For the most part, Hershey Park regulars adhere to the standard trail rules (bikers warning walkers, etc.), so politeness is always appreciated. Dogs must be kept on a leash, but are quite welcome. And don't forget to pack a lunch if you're planning on spending all day there; the park is primarily located in residential areas (no stores are very close-by) and it's easy to get lost in the beauty of the trails and end up quite far away from where you parked your car.
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Terry Hershey Park is named after the Houston heiress and environmentalist who wielded considerable political clout in the 60's to keep the banks of Buffalo Bayou from being paved.
The main feature of the park is the trail system that runs along Buffalo Bayou from Hwy 6 eastward to the toll road with several side branches along the way. This 12.5 miles of trail is the crown jewel of the neighborhoods it sits behind. At peak times in the late afternoon and evening, it is busy with walkers, runners and bikers. It's not nearly as packed as that marvelous three mile loop in Memorial Park and doesn't have Memorial's eye-candy quotient. However, it is the best place to get in shape in a lovely setting on the West Side.
I'm a runner with a busy schedule, so I choose to use the trails before dawn at around 5:00 AM. There is very little "social networking" going on at this time, but the few hard core runners I see regularly have a special camaraderie.
I'm out my back door and within a few hundred yards, I'm on the trail. The soft asphalt is forgiving on my almost-50 knees. The main portion of the trail along the bayou is not lit, so I wouldn't recommend that unaccompanied ladies run here at this time of day. It is very dark. However, when a full moon is hanging low in the Western sky, the trail has a serene beauty that can't be captured at any other time.
This is my church away from church. Running alone before dawn listening to the crickets and cicadas and seeing the occasional firefly is a tremendous stress reliever. The abundance of animal life would surprise most people. I see many rabbits, owls of several different species, opossums, raccoons (mostly raiding trashcans), armadillos (who will often run alongside the trail with me for up to 20-30 yards - they lack the brain capacity to make an abrupt 90 deg turn and think I'm chasing them), bats and feral cats (it's too early for the snakes and squirrels). On special occasions, I spot a pack of coyotes heading East from Hwy 6 to feed on rabbits and neighborhood cats.
The most-used portion of the trail is a loop that runs on both sides of Mayde Creek from I-10 to Buffalo Bayou (a bit West of Eldridge). The trail is lit here in the morning and evening. There is parking on Memorial Dr at the address associated with this entry. Just North of Memorial Dr, there is a children's playground and a large gazebo. I often see a women's aerobic class with "commando style" instructors there at 5:00 AM.
Drinking fountains can be found about every mile so I don't have to carry water with me. There are also restroom facilities that are open during daylight hours.
Unless you're a mountain biker, what most Houstonians don't know about Terry Hershey is that there is an unpaved bike trail on the South side of the bayou that offers all sorts of tree roots, sand and hills for serious mountain bikers. For both the bikers and runners, you encounter more and more hills as you get East of Kirkwood.
There is parking for Terry Hershey at Hwy 6, the toll road, on Memorial at Mayde Creek and on Dairy Ashford next to the Buffalo Bayou bridge. I'm excited about the plans to extend the trail under I-10 to link up with the trail on Addicks Dam.
See you on the trails...
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- Useful (7)
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I have lived in houston my whole life.... this park actually didnt exsist when i was little and use to go with my brother to play by the bayou around kirkwood. I went for the first time last week. This park is sooo awesome, it preserves the feeling of the bayou, has a good path (lots of bikes) for walking. I love this place.
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Terry Hershey's awesome! I wish it weren't such a big drive to get there! Two things:
1. I had no idea the entrance I usually go to was blocked off with construction til 11/08! I didn't know how to get in otherwise, and had to turn around and go home.
2. About 1/5 of the way into this trail, you will come upon a ridiculously steep and winding hill. If you are a biker (I am) take note of this, and be prepared. There are lots of pedestrians on the path, and you will need to go ahead and yell that you're approaching around the bend. Getting up that hill on your way back is another story... omg I have never been able to do that without getting off my bike and pushing!!!
Great park, though. 6-8 miles each way along the creek/bayou/whatever that body of water is. :)
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This trail is full of wonders. Exercise stations along the lit portion of the trail (near the Memorial parking), benches and picnic areas between Kirkwood and Wilcrest, and a surprising calm-but-active atmosphere.
The trail is in great shape, as attested to by the hordes of runners and cyclists who travel its paved miles each day. I've never been the only person on the trail, no matter what time I go. You really will run into all kinds of wildlife - just last night I met several snakes! (And then I left for the trail at Bear Creek). (They weren't scary snakes. I'm just a baby.)
I credit this trail with having kept me sane while I adjusted to life on the west side of town. It's a nice change to run alongside a bayou or in the midst of trees, rather than next to rush hour traffic. The full map is online, as well at several points along the trail, so you can plan your distances in advance or as you go.
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This place kicks butt. The rolling hills. Reminds me of Austin more than Houston. Bikers and runner co-exist peaceably in this serene environment. With bikers saying, "On your left" when passing a runner. Nice clean trails. SHHHH let's just keep this place a secret for us out-of -the loopers before the Inner Loop people invade!!!!
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If you had told me a year ago that Houston had such a fabulous bike trail, I wouldn't have believed you. I would have sworn up and down that Austin's bike trails would trump Houston's any day...I didn't know what the hell I was talking about!
My father has become an avid cyclist and for my birthday last June, bought me a kick a** Trek. Our first ride was through George Bush and Terry Hershey Parks...If I ignore the wreck I had in Terry Hershey..it was by far the best part of the ride.
I took my new bike back home to Austin and trotted it out to the Veloway...what a massive disappointment! A three mile circle??? That's it??? and no other trails for road bikes??? In Lance Armstrong's home town????
I am learning to ride with cars (the only way we can ride in Austin), but I try to take many trips to Houston so I can ride the 25 mile round trip at Terry Hershey. It's beautiful with tons of curves, hills and straight aways...I am totally jealous that y'all have it in your back yard.
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