Sponsored by Harris County Precinct 4, the Precinct 4 GeoChallenge features a series of 101 geocaches that participants can find for the opportunity to earn pathtags and geocoins.
The 48th geocache is located in Collins Park. Collins Park is a 55-acre facility with five lighted softball fields, four lighted baseball fields, one unlighted soccer field, one lighted basketball pavilion, one sand volleyball court, two playgrounds, a skate park, an amphitheater, nature trails, picnic tables, barbecue grills, rest room facilities, a canoe launch, and limited access to fishing along Cypress Creek.
For more information, please call the Parks Reservation Office at 281-353-4196.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted along the banks of Cypress Creek within Collins Park. Late winter and early spring are successful times for catching white bass and crappie, while catfish can be caught year-round.
For more information about fishing at Precinct 4 parks and to view the rules and regulations, please click here.
Trails
Cypresswood Trails
The Greater Houston Off-Road Bicycling Association (GHORBA) has partnered with Precinct 4 to develop a single-track, natural-surface off-road bicycling trail at Collins Park. The trail, named Cypresswood Trails, heads east from the ball fields, under TC Jester, and on to Strack Road and beyond..
Riders have access to the existing amenities such as the parking lot, rest rooms, drinking fountains, picnic areas, and trailhead located inside Collins Park. All riders, no matter the experience level, should wear a helmet and appropriate bicycling apparel/gear is recommended. The trail is open daily from dawn until dusk.
GHORBA and their partners offer several mountain biking skills clinics each year. Suitable for all ages and levels of skill, the clinics are open to the public. To find out about future clinics, please visit GHORBA’s Web site at www.ghorba.org.
Gourley Nature Trail
The Gourley Nature Trail, named in honor of Genevieve and Robert Gourley who donated the easement, connects Collins Park with Meyer Park. The trail, which is approximately 2,850 feet long and 10 feet wide, is made of asphalt and includes a concrete bridge to cross over an existing drainage ditch. Additionally, the Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition (CCFCC) provided funding for the benches and signage located along the trail through a $10,000 grant they received from REI.
About the GeoChallenge
Each geocache contains unique collectible bottle caps and a unique code, either of which can be used to earn pathtags. Simply write down the code on your Precinct 4 GeoChallenge Series Passport and/or collect a bottle cap to prove that you have found the cache. Those who collect 25, 50, or 75 unique codes/bottle caps can earn bronze, silver, or gold-level pathtags. Geocachers who find all 101 geocaches will receive a custom-minted geocoin. Only one of each bottle cap is allowed per participant. Please visit the Precinct 4 GeoChallenge Series web pages for more information or to download your passport.
Geocaches are located throughout Precinct 4 from Greens Bayou Wetland Mitigation Bank in the east to Dyess Park in the west and Roy Campbell Burroughs Park in the north and Memorial Park in the south.
About Harris County Precinct 4
Precinct 4 is one of four precincts located in Harris County, Texas and boasts a population of over 1.2 million people. With a population of 4.3 million, Harris County is the largest county in Texas and the third-largest in the United States. It encompasses the Houston area, the largest city in Texas and fourth largest city in the nation. Both its total area and land area are larger than the state of Rhode Island.
With an area over 390 square miles—3,800 acres of which is conveniently located parkland—Harris County Precinct 4 has plenty to explore and scores of 'gems' to find!