Nature is alive and well at Cross Creek Ranch, a master-planned community by Johnson Development Corp. in Fort Bend County’s Fulshear, which has been named a “2019 Best Place to Raise a Family in Houston” by Niche.com.

Connected by neighborhoods, amenities and schools, Cross Creek Ranch is sure to capture the hearts and imaginations of residents young and old. From townhomes to single-family homes and luxury homes, Cross Creek Ranch has new homes, priced from $200,000 to $1 million, for first-time homebuyers, move-up, luxury and adults aged 55-and-up. Built by a collection of the country’s top homebuilders—including Avanti, Chesmar, Darling, Highland, Lennar, Newmark, Partners in Building, Perry, Taylor Morrison, Trendmaker and Village Builders — each property features bright, open floor plans, modern finishes, smart home technology options and outdoor living spaces.

Situated on 3,200 acres, Cross Creek Ranch offers lush, wide-open spaces, more than 32 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, gorgeous lakes and boardwalk platforms ideal for viewing herons, pelicans, ospreys and a host of other migratory birds. Creating a natural sanctuary, Johnson Development has planted more than 60,000 trees throughout the community, as well as native grasses that require little water. “We have a lot of seasons out here,” said Rob Bamford, vice president and general manager of Cross Creek Ranch. “It goes from shades of wonderful green to dormant fall conditions.”

Sustainability is a focus for Cross Creek Ranch, which recently won Community of the Year in the Texas Association of Builder’s Star Awards. Ninety-eight percent of the community’s irrigated areas are maintained with reclaimed water from its lakes. A polishing pond, adjacent to the community’s wastewater treatment plant, naturally filters water in addition to the mechanical treatment it undergoes.

Amenities abound

Cross Creek Ranch offers a wide range of amenities to suit active lifestyles. “We have more amenities per acre than any masterplan around,” said Bill McConnell, new home advisor with Trendmaker Homes in Cross Creek Ranch. Recreational lakes, which allow non-motorized boating, welcomes kayaks, canoes, standup paddleboards and sailboats. Anglers can head to the water for catch-and-release fishing. Catering to residents’ four-legged family members is Canine Commons, the community dog park that is a gem among the many pocket parks woven throughout the community.

The whole family can cool off at Adventure Island Water Park, a resident-only amenity, featuring a resort-style pool, 140-foot water slide, splash pad, shaded deck, tanning shelves with water jets and dedicated lap lanes, one of three water parks in the community. Adventure Island is located in close proximity to Italian Maid Café, serving guests a country club lifestyle. Looking for a quieter atmosphere? Flewellen Creek Pool has lap lanes, tanning shelves, lounge chairs and activities on the greens. Greenthread Park offers a free-form pool with water slides and sunbathing shelves. A nearby playground, pavilion, sand volleyball court and event lawn complete the community’s newest recreation complex.

Staying fit is easy when you live at Cross Creek Ranch. The community boasts a 6,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art fitness center outfitted with plenty of cardio and strength-training equipment. An on-site fitness director is ready to help residents achieve fitness goals, plus oversees a robust exercise class schedule.

Bonterra at Cross Creek Ranch offers exclusive amenities for residents of the 55+ community, including a clubhouse with a resort-style pool, a firepit, spa, billiards room, event lawn, bocce and pickle ball courts and more.

Life is a party

There’s always something to do at Cross Creek Ranch. A full-time lifestyle director establishes resident programs and hosts more than 75 events each year that encourage neighbors to socialize, from cooking demonstrations to summer movies on the hill to family luaus. The Bonterra neighborhood, for adults aged 55-plus, has its own themed special events, like Margarita Mondays, Mad Hatter Tea parties and Hot Havana Nights, to give residents a chance to unwind and have fun.

Move up within the community

Five years ago, real estate agent Serene Wong of Keller Williams Realty, moved from Chicago to Texas with her husband and four children. They chose to settle down in Cross Creek Ranch because of its schools, natural beauty and friendly vibe, key attributes she shares with potential buyers during tours.

“If I upgrade, I’m not going to leave,” she said. “I will stay here and live life to the fullest.” Every year, she witnesses the area develop a little more. Now she is seeing builders put up more next-generation homes: in essence, a big house with a small apartment/in-law suite attached for multiple generations to live together yet have their own distinct spaces. Wong is one of more than 50 resident Realtors in Cross Creek Ranch. Considered community ambassadors, they are invited to meetings every other month for community development and marketing updates.

Highly rated schools

Parents don’t have to travel far to drop their kids off at school. Cross Creek Ranch has two onsite elementary schools in the desirable Katy Independent School District: James E. Randolph Elementary and Campbell Elementary. Adams Junior High opened in August and a new high school is slated to open in August of 2020, children can walk or ride their bikes to school throughout their youth. Residents zoned to the equally desirable Lamar Consolidated Independent School District attend classes nearby at Huggins Elementary School. Roberts Middle School, Leaman Junior High and Fulshear High School—are conveniently located on an adjoining campus less than 2 miles from Cross Creek Ranch.

Prime location

Residents enjoy easy access to the West Park Toll Road, I-10 and Grand Parkway, major arteries for traveling throughout Houston to reach its employment hubs, shopping, entertainment and cultural centers.

The West Park Toll Road leads to several business districts: West Chase, The Galleria, Greenway Plaza and downtown Houston. Hop on I-10 to reach the Medical Center, City Centre, Memorial City, The Galleria, The Heights and downtown Houston. Travel Grand Parkway, a major thoroughfare more than 170 miles long that loops around the entire city of Houston, to get to Sugar Land or the Exxon Mobile campus in The Woodlands.

In addition, Texas Heritage Parkway will soon begin construction giving Cross Creek Ranch residents a convenient route to get to I-10 from FM 1093 just west of the community.
Over the years, homeowners have come to appreciate having all of life’s little conveniences nearby: an H-E-B grocery store, urgent care facilities, retailers such as Home Depot, Walmart, Ross and T.J. Maxx; movie theaters and restaurants. Bamford believes that in Houston, it’s not just about how close you live to everything. “It’s about quality of life,” he said. “This neighborhood has a high quality of life.”

Ranked No. 21, Cross Creek Ranch is one of five Johnson Development master-planned communities listed among Robert Charles Lesser & Co. LLC, Real Estate Advisors’ Top 50 Master Planned Communities in the U.S. Bamford credits the developer’s more than 40 years of success in the industry to founder Larry Johnson’s vision for land that is in the path of growth, as well as the company’s culture of integrity, quality and fostering a sense of community within all of the properties it develops.

To see for yourself why buyers are choosing to come home to Cross Creek Ranch, stop by the Welcome Center, 6450 Cross Creek Bend Lane, Fulshear, Texas, 77441 or visit www.crosscreektexas.com.