LAN provided planning, design, and construction phase services for Exploration Green, a $49 million project that converts a former golf course into five detention ponds to protect communities from flooding, while also serving as a state-of-the-art nature park. In addition to providing drainage solutions, Exploration Green serves as a 200-acre urban green space, which includes 6 miles of 10-foot wide hike and bike trails, two athletic fields, open spaces, and 105 acres of natural habitat. Native plants and 800 trees have been planted to enhance landscaping and wetlands, and nearly 400 species of birds, plants, insects, and reptiles have been verified at Exploration Green since its construction.

All five phases are now completed, and the project had its grand opening in September 2023. Exploration Green has the capacity to hold half a billion gallons of water and protects 3,000 homes from flooding.

The project has received numerous prestigious awards, including the 2024 Best Project by ENR Texas & Louisiana and the Yearbook of Engineering Achievement Award (Water/Stormwater) by Civil + Structural Engineer in 2023. The Texas Council of Engineering Companies (TCEC) honored it with a Gold Medal for Phase 1 in 2020 and a Silver Medal for its Water Resources Engineering in 2024. Nationally, the project was recognized by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and received the Allied World Resilience Award from the National Wildlife Federation. Exploration Green Phase 1 was also ranked 2nd by the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies for its green infrastructure achievements.

Above Photo Credits – Lecon, Inc & Jerry Hamby