Residents who love walking, running, and riding along The Heights Hike and Bike Trail — also known as the MKT Trail, a nod to the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas rail line — received a gift recently: hundreds of young trees planted along the trail’s southern edge.
Although grass was planted and maintained south of the trail, now much of this segment will boast beautiful and vibrant foliage, thanks to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, A Tale of Two Bridges (ATOTB). As might be apparent from the organization’s name, this beautification project is only a small part of their overall mission, which is to ‘promote economic empowerment and environmental conservation through the development of infrastructure that supports various active recreation and transportation modes, including walking, bicycling, inline skating, and wheelchair use’.
Reimagining Connection, One Bridge at a Time
ATOTB was founded by Heights resident Emmanuel Nunez.
“When I was looking for places to live in Houston, what cemented the Heights for me was all the opportunity for reimagining the green space along the bayou and creating pedestrian-friendly connectivity between Washington Avenue and The Heights,” said Nunez, who is an engineering professional by vocation, but transforming his community is both his avocation and passion.
Engineer and Heights resident Emmanuel Nunez created ATOTB to help transform his community. (Photo by Stephanie Shirley)
Stephanie Shirley
Nunez said he moved into the Heights along the trail in 2021 and knew this was the place to start. As an engineer, he has followed numerous urban transformation projects and added, “I’ve always found it really fascinating to be able to transform a space that has been there for so long and often neglected or even forgotten.” It’s all about accessibility, beautification and connectivity, he added — the ABC’s of his organization.
Two bridges have served as the primary connectivity and accessibility focus for the nonprofit. There is a long disconnected stretch along the White Oak Bayou path and a tremendous opportunity to create two iconic pedestrian bridges that will enhance public appreciation, access and use of these spaces.
“The Rutland Bridge is about 90 percent designed, has been fully funded and expected to begin construction in late 2026,” Nunez said. “The Patterson Bridge does not have funding identified yet. We are looking for partners to be able to apply for a preliminary engineering study, which is going to cost around $300,000, alone.”
The location ideas came from the Houston Bike Plan, adopted by city council in 2017. Through community engagement efforts, the plan identified where pedestrian bridges would be best-served to make the community fully accessible. There are numerous streets and freeways, but few safe and accessible ways to cross the bayou for pedestrians and bikers.
A Tale of Two Bridges recently planted 220 trees along The Heights Hike and Bike Trail, but its scope is much bigger than that. (Photo by Stephanie Shirley)
Stephanie Shirley
ATOTB recently hosted its first awareness event to promote the adoption of the trees planted on the trail. The idea for the event came from one of Nunez’s neighbors, Margaret Pichon, who brought ‘Tunes on 10th’ to The Heights, an outdoor neighborhood concert venue.
“She suggested holding events where people can come out and see the trees and learn about everything ATOTB does,” Nunez said. “That’s how Sip & See began.”
The first event was held at the site of yet another new project launch, the Railroad Community Garden. From the time Nunez’s next door neighbor Sarah Crulcich moved in several years ago, it was apparent they shared a passion for the outdoors and the ecosystem. They began discussing different ways to create a community garden to complement the trail’s beautification. There are currently two garden beds. The structure is intended to represent a railcar, paying homage to the MKT.
From Rail Line to Railcar Garden
Wooden planters were donated by Houston Tool Bank, and the accompanying material was donated by the community. The first ‘railcar’ of the outdoor garden is expected to be one of many, as the project continues to expand. It is situated next to the trail between 7th and 8th on Nicholson. For the event, it was decorated to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos. Crulcich said the beds are a labor of love and house numerous fresh herbs and vegetables.
“We have three different types of oregano, cilantro and holy basil,” she said. “We have Vicks plants — yes, like the vapor rub — and its leaves can be crushed and mixed with Vaseline for a homemade congestion rub!”
The garden also features bush beans and leafy greens growing, with carrots and radishes soon to follow. It is available for the community, but excess is donated. ATOTB partnera with Mary’s Green Give, who reaches out to homebound individuals experiencing food insecurity. The Railroad Community Garden helps to provide healthy produce and herbs that make the most out of seasoning food, while adding nutrients. This is especially important to Crulcich, who is a registered dietitian.
For the Sip & See event Oct. 26, the garden railcar was decorated to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos. (Photo by Stephanie Shirley)
Stephanie Shirley
“I think the first point of inspiration was just taking care of our neighborhood, taking care of the land and making sure that we’re always sharing that with the next generation to come,” Crulcich said. “The garden and all of these newly-planted trees will ensure that this is so much more than just a trail to pass through. It has become a destination for people to spend time and enjoy. It’s also an opportunity to learn about different types of plants and their relationship to the land and to each other, as well as how all of these things grow. I feel that’s so important to know.”
For more information about ATOTB programs and projects or ways to contribute to the organization, visit ATOTB.org.
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