Excitement is coming to Bear Branch Park, as the replacement of the inclusive playground is underway and will be complete in April. As of Monday, November 29, 2021, the old Bear Branch playground is closed. The entire play structure and rubber surfacing will be removed and redesigned.  

The new enhanced playground further expands the concept of inclusive recreation through implementing additional elements that afford additional individuals, with and without disabilities, to be able to access the playground. Individuals with disabilities related to visual, intellectual, physical and Autism will have elements and play features that more fully embrace their needs.

Anticipated re-opening will be April 1, 2022. As the only inclusive playground in The Woodlands, this will be a focal point for residents and guests for years to come. The primary pathway between the Recreation Center/swings and the playground will remain open during construction, as to not interfere with entry to the tennis courts, skate park, multi-purpose court or pathway to the Alden Woods neighborhood. The new amenity will include:

• Poured-in-place surfacing in primary play area
• Multiple elevated play structures with ramps and transfer platform
• Accessible merry-go-round
• Multiple elements include specific designs to engage sensory systems and motor, cognitive and social skills
• Five swing options
• Playhouse for 6 - 23 months old
• Playhouse for 2 - 5 year-olds

Bear Branch Park is located at 5200 Research Forest Drive in The Woodlands, TX 77381. For more information on parks and playgrounds in The Woodlands, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship/parksandrecreation  or call 281-210-3800.

For over 13 years, Alodia Basketball Academy has been providing basketball programs which help fulfill their mission of Developing the Next Generation of Leaders through Sports, and teaching life lessons on and off the court, and we're fortunate to have them right here in The Woodlands area!

Their five-star rated, year-round, co-ed programs, Kindergarten through 8^th grade are offered at Creekside Park Junior High.

Alodia’s coaches are the some of the best in the area with years of experience. They do all they can to elevate player’s confidence and skills while helping them meet new friends and have fun. And while no guarantees, Alodia programs have been instrumental in preparing players for school teams in future years.

Families can read what others say about Alodia, their programs, and coaches by  CLICKING HERE.

Whether it is year-round competitive youth league seasons, skills training, camps during school breaks, training in person or online with world renown trainer Ganon Baker…there is always something for everyone at Alodia Basketball Academy.

Visit website to learn more: alodiasports.com.

Walking through Lightscape at Houston Botanic Garden felt like a dream! The  internationally acclaimed experience wasn’t a crazy, over-the-top sensory overload for my family, but rather an elegant, magical, and beautiful trail of well-planned, thoughtful installations that kept us delighted with every step. The light displays are set along a beautifully illuminated path winding through the Garden. My favorite installation at the event was the Fire Garden, but I won’t be sharing my photos and video here because I need you to get there and be as much in awe at this installation as I was! In a word, it was captivating!

Click here to see the original news update and photos we published a while back.

When visiting Lightscape, you can even stop along the trail and purchase refreshments such as hot cocoa and snacks. (We had just finished our Thanksgiving dinner, so we did not indulge.) Roasting smore’s was also an option. Parking was easy and the parking lot is safe and well attended. Lightscape is accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility assistant devices. (Wheelchairs are not provided and cannot be rented on-site.)

And OK, yes, Houston Botanic Garden, located at 1 Botanic Ln in zip code 77017, is a bit further south in Houston than you would typically drive, but visiting Lightscape event pairs well with your next trip to the city for dinner or a show. Or add it to your itinerary if you’re doing Galveston or Kemah evens for the holidays. Lightscape will be absolutely the cherry on top!

For the record, I believe it’s worth the drive even if you’re not already in the area, but be advised that it takes less than an hour to walk through the grounds, so take your time, take plenty of photos, and enjoy the journey!

Lightscape is open to the public and runs on select dates through Sunday, January 2, 2022. For more information, CLICK HERE to visit the webiste.

Kick off the holiday season with The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion at Holly Jolly Jingle Thursday, December 2 at 7 p.m. This festive event includes a musical celebration of the season by local student performers and fun winter activities for all ages. Tickets are not required for this free event which is sponsored by KPMG.  Gates open at 6 p.m.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year as The Pavilion Main Stage features performances of familiar holiday medleys by the student musicians of The Woodlands High School, The Woodlands College Park High School, Oak Ridge High School and Grand Oaks High School. Sing along to classic seasonal tunes with a certain jolly elf rumored to make an early appearance at his favorite holiday celebration.

Concertgoers will be walking in a winter wonderland of activities when the gates open at 6 p.m. with holiday arts and crafts, photos with Santa Claus, The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who plus pre-concert performances by local schools in the plazas. All are invited to climb aboard the Candy Cane Express train in the Gold Lot starting at 5:30 p.m.

All guests are encouraged to review The Pavilion’s bag policy – clear bags sized 12” x 12” or smaller are permitted as well as non-clear handheld clutches sized 4.5” x 6.5” or smaller. This policy is in effect to ensure the safety of guests and staff members as well as eliminate the need for close personal contact. Medically necessary bags and diaper bags are permitted but will be searched and tagged. Please visit The Pavilion’s website for more information on these restrictions.

Preferred parking is available in the on-site Town Center Garage, located along Six Pines Drive. Parking is $10 per vehicle for this and most performing arts events. Tickets for on-site parking can be purchased in advance at Ticketmaster.com and The Pavilion Box Office. Guests also may park in any of the free parking lots off Timberloch Drive on the southwest side of The Pavilion.

With the holiday season fast approaching, Junior League of The Woodlands (JLTW) is proud to present its 19th Annual Holiday Market. The shopping extravaganza will be held November 18-21, 2021 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in The Woodlands, Texas.

Junior League of The Woodlands Holiday Market will feature over 100 unique merchants from across the country, selling an array of specialty holiday items, home accessories, clothing, gourmet foods, jewelry, and much more. Tickets are $15 for a one-day general admission ticket. General admission hours are: Friday, November 19th, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, November 20th, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 21st, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Strollers are welcome Friday and Saturday after 2:00 p.m. and all-day Sunday.  The Junior League Holiday Market will preview its “Making Spirits Bright” theme with a VIP event and Preview Party on Thursday, November 18^th, 2021, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Along with shopping, the Preview Party features music, food and a cocktail party. Tickets are $100.00 per person and include a general admission ticket to Holiday Market. Holiday Market will also feature photo opportunities with Santa on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CLICK HERE for specific Santa photo times.

Junior League of The Woodlands, Inc. will follow all CDC guidelines and Marriott policies in effect at the time of the event.