Terry Hershey Park

*This review specifically pertains to the DAIRY ASHFORD ENTRANCE/PARKING AREA as well as hiking with a baby stroller.*

DAIRY ASHFORD ENTRANCE/PARKING AREA: It was easy to park as it was a large area and we had no issue finding a spot (on a Saturday afternoon). From this area, you can access two different stroller-friendly trails that both run along the Bayou: The Robin Trail and the Quail Trail. The Robin Trail is accessible right from the parking lot. The Robin Trail is serene and has a remote feel. The Quail Trail is the main trail that runs through the park. To access it from this parking area, you have to turn right to walk alongside the road (Dairy Ashford Rd.) for a few feet, and turn right onto the Quail Trail. Basically, you have to cross the Bayou. The Quail Trail is lovely but feels less remote than the Robin Trail. You will see houses on one side and will encounter lots of bikers (be careful and pay attention). I'd honestly recommend doing both trails, if you have the time. We did the Robin Trail (turned back at the Robin Loop) and a portion of the Quail Trail (turned back at Kirkwood) and it was a nice 2.5 miles. I'd recommend this route for any parents looking for a nice day outing.

Overall, this is a lovely park. Great for feeling like you're away from the city at certain spots. Please note that there are multiple entrances/parking areas. I'd recommend doing your research so you can choose the best one for you.

Here is a map for reference: https://www.pct3.com/portals/45/docs/map/terry-hershey-park.pdf.

The trails are nice and people walk-in down the trails are friendly. Walked my dog down the trails. Make sure you don't wear headphones that cover your ear. There are several cyclists going fast and will shout out a heads up so if you have earbuds in you might get hit. I didn't so I pulled my dog to the side when they would speed by after giving me the heads up. The views are nice however I did not see the public library box and also the bluebonnet flowers were not yet bloomed in the field. I walked 35 min to see a field pretty much empty. Overall a good place to walk your dog and see the bayou.

It's a very nice big park. My first time visiting it and definitely will go back. Bluebonnets are ready! Stop by and take photos before too late. Here is the drop pin of the address. Hopefully it helps.
https://maps.apple.com/?ll=29.772607,-95.628670&q=Dropped%20Pin&t=m

Nice urban park in Houston. The path is paved and there are some trees providing a little shade along the way. A few benches were scattered along the path too. Plenty of walkers and some bikers present. It felt pretty safe in the daytime. If you are in the Energy Corridor area, and want to take a walk, go here.

this is a must if in the area for nature people! really nice walking loops and variety in scenery for its size --would recommend stopping by & exploring

A huge linear park with a variety of trails - bicycling, walking, running, paved, gravel, dirt - all centered around Buffalo Bayou.

Probably the best part of living in west Houston is having this open space. Because of the many spurs off the trail most people can access it close to where they live.

Lots of wildlife can be seen - rabbits, birds, snakes to name a few. The flora is equally impressive, especially where it has been allowed to just grow without human intervention.

I only wish kayaking could occur but it looks dangerous when the water is flowing and the water looks brown.

Sometimes you have to be careful what side of the bayou you are on and where you want to get out. The only bridges are at the cross streets.

I go again and again.

Beautiful park and bike trail. I was here for the first time las week to see the bluebonnets that everyone was telling me about, and I really love how the park wasn't so busy, so there are plenty of parkings.
Depending on which side of the bayou, you might see different flowers/fields. I will definitely be back here again for the views when it gets cooler again outside and once bluebonnets bloom again.

Ant hills are back with a vengeance. People have rebuilt the trails and added some serious mountain bike jumps, twists and turns. I can tell you they are no joke and not for the faint of heart. I consider myself an average rider and had to walk through some of the stuff like a wuss. Start at the bridge on Eldridge b/w memorial and enclave and go east all the way to Dairy Ashford. You can park at the little shopping center on the corner of Enclave and Eldridge. I don't trust the park parking lots because people are breaking into cars. If you don't have a bike they are great to walk or run also.

A rather large yet cozy park smacked in the middle of the energy corridor. There are various entrances to reach this park; & yet each entrance happens to guide you through a unique path. I love the large stretched out corridors here. These are tunnels that are full of trees that stretch so far out into various pathways and bridges. Great for those that are joggers or bicyclists. I find myself mostly walking here and yet I can't seem to finish the trail. It's easy to get lost here as well. Lol. Unless you spot a map or something. As mentioned, the trails are long and unwinding. I had always known about this park yet its entrances were mysterious, and easily missed. Frequently visiting and being near the beltway, I was able to spot one of the main entrances and that was it. I've been a frequent stroller here for the past 2 years. This park seems to have been here forever; I hope it stays & that it continues to preserve itself within the midst of the concrete jungle. There are vast neighborhoods tucked within the corners of some of the pathways. One of the neighbors decorated a bench and left a mini library outside so walkers can grab books & leave a book as well. It's these little things that are precious & that have made this park ever so charming. I love visiting in Autumn and Spring in particular. Last year I spotted a field of yellow flowers. Just nothing but pure yellow gold all around, as if the sun had dipped its beams into the earth. Support local parks, walk, bike or jog. Or bring your fluffy best friend. Just move a bit and you'll be good! Toodles!

This review is for the Terry Hershey Park's Hike and Bike trail specifically because that's the main attraction and it's not really a park per se. The trail follows Buffalo Bayou from the Beltway west (between Memorial and Briar Forest) all the way to Hwy 6. As is the case with other paths, I HIGHLY recommend you go to google maps and look at the path so you get an idea. It's easy to get turned around when you're on a long path.

In total, a one way trip is 8.4 Miles if you follow the path without cheating, but you can cheat and cut it 7 miles if instead of looping around near the I-10 parking lot (near Eldridge and the little outdoor gym) and just go straight through but come on...you're there to exercise so just get that extra mile in... If you want to get in even more, the west side trail will lead you to the George Bush Park Hike and Bike trial where you'll go around all the flood dams.

This is an awesome trail for hiking and biking because there is tree cover for almost the whole way so the sun won't kill you the way it would on the White Oak Bayou trail (which I also love, see other review). If you're driving there, from what I saw, there are 3 official parking spots- HWY 6 on the west side, the I-10 parking (somewhere near eldridge) and all the way by the beltway under the bridge. I have no idea which one is safer- if it had to guess, I'd say I-10.

There are also a lot of escape routes/points of entry if you have to cut your hike short or you live in that area and just want to bike there - you can get out at Wilcrest, Dairy Ashfort, Eldridge, Memorial (when it gets close to I-10), etc. so it never hurts to have a Q-Card for the bus in case you have to. Again, look at the map and have your phone and GPS.

A few bad things - you're right by the bayou so some parts stink. There are also mosquitoes and bugs, especially at night. I had bugs go in my eyes a few times. The water fountains are blocked too due to Covid so bring lots of water.

The other thing is that there are a lot of twists and turns and even a little elevation (at least by Houston standards) so remember there are walkers on the trail too and a lot of them are absolutely oblivious to their surrounding. I've seen people walking 4 across and blocking the whole way. I've seen dogs on one side on a leash and the owner on the other side. It gets dark faster there too due to trees so bring a flashlight or headlight if you're on a bike.