Willowbend, Houston facts for kids
Willowbend is a neighborhood in near Southwest Houston, Texas.
Willowbend is just outside the 610 Loop and inside Beltway 8. The neighborhood is bound by the following streets: S. Post Oak Road to the West, Greenwillow Drive to the East, Briarbend Drive to the South, and Hazelton Street to North. The subdivision’s main thoroughfare is Willowbend Boulevard with it’s center point at Willowbend and Cliffwood. Surrounding neighborhoods, include: Willow Meadows to the North, Meyerland to the Northwest, Westbury to the West. Willowbend is surrounded by numerous points of interest, including: Willow Waterhole Park, Meyerland Plaza, The Texas Medical Center, and NRG Stadium.
Contents
History
Willowbend is a cozy, well kept neighborhood of middle class Americana. In recent years, it has seen a resurgence as its locale to downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and Loop 610 has increased its attraction to people wanting location over modern home style. The neighborhood had a number of youth sports programs in earlier days: Willow Creek Little League, FUN Football Raiders or Red Raiders. Many good athletes got their start in these youth leagues.
It was the site of attacks committed by Houston's "original" mass murderer, who gunned down three schoolgirls, a toddler, and an elderly woman and injured two others in April 1973. Several of the victims were walking home from Red Elementary School when shot. Larry Delon Casey remains in prison for the attacks, which occurred on Green Willow, Willowilde, Benning, Creekbend and near the intersection of Cliffwood and Stillbrooke drives.
The neighborhood has a bayou called Willow Creek which runs throughout the neighborhood. Willow Creek empties into Braes Bayou. Willowbend Boulevard runs through the middle of the neighborhood. The eastern and southern sides of the neighborhood have railroad tracks in the far off distance. There is a big field which is used as a buffer from the tracks to homes. The field is a unique feature of the neighborhood as it features horses, cows, jack rabbits, turtles, crawfish, natural ponds, snakes, and other wildlife. Many kids have enjoyed the unique opportunity and use of this land to explore animals and nature in the inner city.
Community information
Willow Park, a park operated by the City of Houston, is located at 10400 Cliffwood, adjacent to Red Elementary School [1]. The large park features a playground, picnic facilities, a softball/soccer field, tennis courts and a small parking lot. It is the central spot of the neighborhood. A new sand volleyball court was added to the park in 2008.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Public schools
Willowbend residents are zoned to the following Houston ISD schools: Red Elementary School, Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School (formerly Johnston Middle School), and Westbury High School. Meyerland Middle-zoned residents may attend Pin Oak Middle School.
Red Elementary School is located in Willowbend Section 4. Named after doctor Samuel Clark Red, it opened in 1957. It received a magnet program in mathematics, science, and technology, converted into a full STEM magnet in 2012. Circa 2019 it had about 600 students.
Private schools
The Robert M. Beren Academy, a K-12 Judaic school, is located in the area [2].
Trafton Academy (Pre-K through 8) is also in the area. Ms. Wagner's School became the lower grades of Trafton Academy.
Trafton Academy is located in Willowbend Section 2.
The Emery/Weiner School is east of the subdivision bordering the Westwood subdivision.
Colleges and universities
Houston Community College System serves the neighborhood.
