SECOND WARD, Texas – In Houston’s Second Ward, a trail winds quietly through an area still marked by industry.
It’s the Harrisburg Hike and Bike Trail, not the most famous part of the city’s greenway network, but for residents, it’s a vital part of daily life.
“This trail is a key connector for us to get from one end of the neighborhood to the other,” Ricky Cardenas, president of the Second Ward SuperNeighborhood, says.
To Cardenas, the trail represents a thread that ties together families and neighbors across generations.
But there’s a problem: it doesn’t link up to other trails or downtown, forcing users to navigate busy streets and crossings.
“The foundation is here… that’s what keeps my hopes up because the trail is kind of a gem for the neighborhood,” Cardenas points out while walking along the trail.
His passion for improving the trail grew from a personal experience back in 2016. While biking to Astros games, Cardenas realized firsthand the need for safer, protected bike routes that offer people more options.
Now, he’s pushing to extend the trail and make it safer, especially at busy intersections.
“That’s kind of the main goal now,” Cardenas said. “To improve the crossings at the trail, extend the trail down Commerce Street to downtown.”
One practical safety idea he mentions is a raised crosswalk. “It would be helpful to raise the crosswalk,” Cardenas said. “Drivers kind of see that bump, and the tendency is to slow down—you don’t want to damage your car.”
But Cardenas isn’t just sharing ideas. He organizes, advocates, and talks with local and state leaders to keep momentum going toward real improvements.
“You have to have a voice, and that voice has to be loud so that the people who make the decisions hear you,” he said, “The squeaky wheel gets the most... or something like that.”
He admits, “Being civically active is like taking on a whole other job. It’s a lot of work to try and stay in the minds and eyes of our local officials to make sure they’re thinking about the trail.”
The trail has faced some challenges, too.
Damage from Hurricane Beryl and a derecho took down trees and left lights broken. After neighbors raised concerns, Houston City Council member Mario Castillo got involved last fall, bringing crews to clear debris and make repairs.
“It would be nice to have some projects where, you know, we go to other neighborhoods and see what kind of amenities they have, and you kind of wish there’d be the same follow-through on some of these things,” said resident Josh Nelson.
When asked how confident he is that things will move forward as he wants, Cardenas replies, “Right now, I’m not super confident, but you know, I’ll never quit.”
For now, it’s Cardenas’s quiet resolve and steady push that keep the vision of the trail alive.
Back in the neighborhood, efforts are underway beyond Cardenas’ advocacy.
He said that Representative Sylvia Garcia is championing improvements to the trail, and the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority is working on grants and studies to make upgrades.
Meanwhile, Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s office is exploring ways to enhance crossings and improve connectivity.
