Bridgeland’s Josey Lake at sunset (Photo credit: Bridgeland)

Josey Lake, the 140-acre waterway located in the Howard Hughes Corporation’s (HHC) master-planned Bridgeland community in Cypress, recently won the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) People’s Choice Award at the 2021 Development of Distinction award ceremony. Josey Lake received the most votes of any project in the history of the awards. 

The awards, presented by Wilson, Cribbs + Goren, recognize “developments and open spaces that demonstrate best practices in design, construction, economic viability, healthy places, marketing and management,” according to ULI. The institute awards projects that demonstrate high levels of purposeful consideration and creativity. 

Bridgeland, the top-selling master-planned community in Texas, considers Josey Lake its “crown jewel” as it perfectly embodies the community’s goal for nature and development to coexist in harmony and provide a healthier lifestyle. 

The waterway took four years to complete and offers residents and community members opportunities to explore nature and enhance their outdoor connections. 

Josey Lake’s edges are lined with plantings to provide natural habitats and preserve ecosystems for local wildlife. The shoreline’s three-mile walking trail includes signs describing the expansive ecosystem and sustainable features. 

Patrons can enjoy activities such as canoeing, kayaking, ziplining, paddle boating and more. The lake provides a boathouse for residents to store their watersport equipment, and a sky bridge over the lake leads to a two-story birding tower that includes stationary binoculars for birdwatching. It also has an events pavilion and lawn for movies in the park, concerts, etc. 

Kids’ amenities include a sprayground, playground-style ziplines, hammock swings and other activities for children to enjoy the outdoors. 

“We are especially proud of these awards from ULI-Houston as they directly relate to the vision for  Bridgeland and Howard Hughes, including innovative environmental design, sustainability and resiliency, and encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle among our residents,” said Heath Melton, executive vice president of MPC Residential for HHC, in a statement. 

Other ULI Houston Development of Distinction Awards winners this year include 7800 Washington, Clay Family Eastern Glades, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, Legacy Community Health Southwest Clinic and Medical Towers – Westin Houston Medical Center.