Willowbend, Houston facts for kids
Willowbend is a friendly neighborhood located in the southwest part of Houston, Texas. It's situated just outside the 610 Loop and inside Beltway 8. The neighborhood is bordered by S. Post Oak Road to the west, Greenwillow Drive to the east, Briarbend Drive to the south, and Hazelton Street to the north. Willowbend Boulevard is the main street running through the area. Nearby neighborhoods include Willow Meadows, Meyerland, and Westbury. Willowbend is also close to fun places like Willow Waterhole Park, Meyerland Plaza, the Texas Medical Center, and NRG Stadium.
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Discovering Willowbend's Past
Willowbend is a nice place to live in southwest Houston, Texas. Many people like living here because it's a safe area with friendly neighbors. It's also close to downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center.
Nature and Wildlife in Willowbend
On the eastern and southern sides of Willowbend, there's a large open field. This field acts like a natural barrier between the railroad tracks and the homes. It's a special part of the neighborhood because you can find horses, cows, jack rabbits, turtles, crawfish, and even snakes there! Many children have enjoyed exploring this land and learning about nature right in the middle of a big city.
Willow Water Hole Park
[Willow Water Hole] is a park right next to Willowbend, along South Post Oak Boulevard. This park often hosts nature-themed [events]. It also has a popular yearly music festival that has won awards!
Willow Creek Bayou
Willow Creek is a small waterway, called a bayou, that flows through the neighborhood. It eventually connects to a larger bayou called Braes Bayou.
Learning in Willowbend
Willowbend has great schools for kids of all ages.
Public Schools in Willowbend
Elementary and Middle Schools
Children living in Willowbend usually attend schools within the Houston ISD school district. These include Red Elementary School and Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School. Some students zoned to Meyerland Middle School can also choose to attend Pin Oak Middle School.
Red Elementary School is located right in Willowbend. It opened in 1957 and is named after a doctor named Samuel Clark Red. This school has a special program focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). It became a full STEM magnet school in 2012. Around 2019, about 600 students attended Red Elementary.
High Schools
For high school, students from Willowbend typically go to Westbury High School.
Private Schools in Willowbend
There are also private school options in the area:
- The Robert M. Beren Academy is a school for students from kindergarten through 12th grade that focuses on Judaic studies.
- Trafton Academy teaches students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade.
The Emery/Weiner School is another private school located just east of the Willowbend neighborhood.
Colleges and Universities
For higher education, the Houston Community College System serves the Willowbend neighborhood.
Staying Safe in Willowbend
The Houston Police Department's Southwest Patrol Division helps keep the neighborhood safe. Residents also contribute money each year to have extra security patrols by off-duty police officers.
Fun and Games in Willowbend
Willow Park is a great place for outdoor activities! This park is run by the City of Houston and is located at 10400 Cliffwood, right next to Red Elementary School.
Willow Park has many features for everyone to enjoy:
- A fun playground for younger kids.
- Picnic areas for family outings.
- A large field perfect for softball or soccer.
- Tennis courts for sports enthusiasts.
- A small parking lot for visitors.
In 2008, a new sand volleyball court was added to the park. Across the street from the park, there's a lovely neighborhood pool with green lawns and lots of shady trees. It's also home to a fantastic swim team called the Willow Wahoos!
Local News in Willowbend
In the middle of the 20th century, the Bellaire Texan newspaper covered news for the Willowbend community. It was published by the Texan Publishing Corporation. By 1975, it was known as the Bellaire & Southwestern Texan and was published by the Preston Publishing Company.
