Mason Park, located at the confluence of two bayous, has served as an urban oasis since 1928. Despite a century of improvements to amenities, user access was significantly compromised by the wide expanse of Brays Bayou, which bisected the 104-acre green space into distinct northern and southern sections. Adjacent road and rail infrastructure further exacerbated accessibility issues for surrounding neighborhoods.
The Mason Park Bridge, a 485-foot cable-stayed, truss-decked structure spanning the bayou, now connects the two park areas and provides an iconic destination for cyclists and pedestrians utilizing the lower Brays Bayou trail system. The bridge also unites the Magnolia Park, Lawndale, Wayside, Pecan Park, Harrisburg, and Manchester communities, serving as a focal point for the neighborhood.
The design strikes a delicate balance between park aesthetics and bayou health. The team considered factors such as bridge height, span, bayou width, and pylon placement to minimize the impact on the area’s hydrology, creating a harmonious blend of engineering and nature. The result is a landmark crossing that grants park-goers access to community amenities while establishing a vital connection between two revitalized park areas.
Mason Park Bridge is a component of a broader initiative aimed at rejuvenating the ecology of Houston’s 4,000-acre Bayou Greenway arterial park system through the addition of trails, seating plazas, and lighting. As Houston grows, Mason Park Bridge serves as a catalyst for equity, promoting access to green spaces and fostering a sense of connection between the neighborhood’s surrounding Mason Park.
Tianjin Eco-City
The vision for Tianjin Eco-City is of a socially harmonious, environmentally friendly, and resource-efficient model for sustainable development. The new city encompasses two flagship civic projects: the National Maritime Museum and the surrounding South Bay Park. South Bay Park is the project’s central green infrastructure, but also provides a significant outd...
Houston’s Gateway Art Bridges : I-59/69 Beautification
As a city dominated by freeway infrastructure, Houston will be reconstructing portions of its iconic freeways in the near future. This created an opportunity for SWA to reclaim the Houston Interstate experience with a temporary art installation that provides a bold pop of color celebrating Houston’s diversity at eight key threshold bridges along the I-59/69 co...
Thousand Oaks Urban Forestry Master Plan
While residents and businesses are clearly proud of the City of Thousand Oaks’ two-decade-long “Tree City USA” designation, recent drought conditions created an urgent need for the City to decrease grassy landscapes and update maintenance practices. As a key part of these efforts, the City selected SWA, along with team partners Planning & Energy/Entitlemen...
Hi Line Connector
The Hi Line Connector spans one mile through Dallas’ Design District, linking two of the city’s most valuable urban core public assets: the Katy and Trinity Strand Trails. This transformative project introduces raised bike lanes and enhances the pedestrian experience by improving and realigning existing roadways. Beyond the physical infrastructure,...