SEABROOK, Texas, April 22, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Today on Earth Day, the Port of Houston Authority transferred to the City of Seabrook the new 41-acre Seabrook Wildlife Park, taking the last step of their historic November 2007 agreement. Seabrook Mayor Robin Riley and Port of Houston Authority Chairman James T. Edmonds presided over the Earth Day park dedication ceremony, with U.S. Congressman Nick Lampson also addressing the crowd.
Photos accompanying this release are available at http://media.primezone.com/poha/
"This is a historic event for Seabrook and its surrounding region," Riley said. "This agreement, 10 years in the making, not only ensures the quality of life that Seabrook residents so richly deserve, but also allows the Port of Houston to continue its work of fostering economic development with the world-class Bayport container port."
The park's official name, Seabrook Wildlife Park, was chosen after a contest among Seabrook's elementary and intermediate schoolchildren. The winning name was submitted by Marianne Kolar's kindergarten class at Bay Elementary, whose students were on hand to help with the dedication. Riley and Edmonds also handed Bay Elementary principal Erin Tite and Kolar with a check for $500 from the port authority and city, funds to be used to create an in-house project that promotes environmental awareness.
The park will help provide a natural buffer between activity at the port authority's Bayport terminal and the community of Seabrook. As a sign of both parties' commitment to future growth and environmental preservation, the city and port authority planted a commemorative oak tree in the park. Lampson, state Rep. John Davis and Harris County Precinct 8 Constable Bill Bailey also participated in the tree-planting ceremony. A commemorative placard, listing the name of the park and the officials involved, will be erected at the park, courtesy of the port authority.
A community focused event, guests were greeted by a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and a cheerleading exhibition provided by Seabrook Intermediate School students.
The parties' agreement has allowed the city and port authority to move forward with positive measures on several long-standing issues - Pine Gully sedimentation and restoration, zoning and development of portions of the Bayport property, as well as aesthetic and sound-control solutions.
CAPTIONS
Paul Dunphey, council member, City of Seabrook; Robin Riley, Mayor, City of Seabrook; PHA Commissioner Steve Phelps; Tom Diegelman, council member, City of Seabrook; PHA Chairman James T. Edmonds; Congressman Nick Lampson, U.S. Representative, Texas District 22; Gary Renola, council member, City of Seabrook; PHA Commissioners Elyse Lanier, Janiece Longoria and Jimmy Burke; Dee Wright, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Seabrook; and Kim Morrell, council member, City of Seabrook.
Tree-planting ceremony
Congressman Nick Lampson, Robin Riley, Mayor, City of Seabrook, and PHA Chairman James T. Edmonds
About City of Seabrook
The city of Seabrook is a 12.5-square-mile community located 30 miles south of downtown Houston along the shores of Clear Lake and Galveston Bay. Incorporated in 1961, the city has more than 10,000 residents who enjoy resort-style, waterfront living with boutique restaurants and shops, bed and breakfast facilities, four designated sites on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail and seven miles of hike-and-bike trails. It also includes a 1,000-foot pier and the third largest marina area in the United States.
About Port of Houston Authority
The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 7,000 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in overall total tonnage. The port authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com
The Port of Houston Authority logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=720
The photos are also available via AP PhotoExpress.
