Scenic Woods, Houston facts for kids
Scenic Woods is a friendly neighborhood located in northeast Houston, Texas, United States. It's a quiet, family-focused place with nice homes and well-kept yards. Many working-class African American families live here. The community is found near Homestead Road and Parker Road. Another nearby area is Fontaine Place.
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History of Scenic Woods
In 2001, a company called Kinsel Industries helped improve the sewer system in Scenic Woods. This big project cost about $1.8 million. It involved fixing pipes and manholes. A local leader, Carol Mims Galloway, who was on the Houston City Council, played a key role in making sure this important project happened for the neighborhood.
Education and Learning
Children living in Scenic Woods go to schools that are part of the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Before July 1, 2013, students attended schools in the North Forest Independent School District (NFISD). On that date, NFISD joined HISD.
Today, students from Scenic Woods are planned to attend schools like Shadydale Elementary School, Forest Brook Middle School, and North Forest High School.
The Fonwood Early Childhood Center is also close to the Scenic Woods Library. It was built in 1964 and became an early childhood center when the school districts merged.
Community Libraries
The Scenic Woods Regional Branch Library is a public library that serves the community. It's a large building, about 11,000 square feet, and was built in 1986.
In 2002, the library closed for some updates. During the work, they found more problems like a roof that needed replacing and mold. This meant the library had to stay closed longer than planned.
While the main library was closed, a small temporary library was set up in Tidwell Park. It was much smaller, with only about 600 books, videos, and CDs. At first, it didn't even have computers or phones. Many people in the community were concerned because the temporary library was so small and hard to get to. They felt it wasn't enough for the area's needs.
The main library finally reopened after many repairs. Later, in 2007, it closed again briefly for more repairs to its air conditioning system. These repairs were funded by grants and bonds to keep the library in good shape for everyone.
Parks and Fun Activities
Scenic Woods has two parks for residents to enjoy: Scenic Woods Park and Gleason Park. Scenic Woods Park is a great place for outdoor activities. It has a basketball area, a baseball field, a walking trail, and tennis courts.
The Northeast Family YMCA also serves the people of Scenic Woods and the nearby Fontaine area, offering more opportunities for sports and recreation.
Well-Known Residents
- Shelia Dansby Harvey, an author who wrote books like Bad Girls Finish First and Illegal Affairs.
- Slim Thug, a rapper from the Scenic Woods area.
