Proposed eco-resort may cut 1600 acres of bottomlands forest

Earthquest proposed along US59

Jon Boyd, Sep 13, 10.

A 1,600-acre resort, Earthquest, is proposed for development in New Caney, 25 miles north of Houston on US-59 in Montgomery County, according to OffCite and the Houston Chronicle. Project organizers note, as a reason for choosing that location, that 18 million people live within a four hour drive of the proposed site, according to the Chronicle.

Developers have said that the planned theme park is expecting “700,000 cars per year (On average 1920 / day, 58,3000 / month)” and that “part of this development counted on the completion of the Grand Parkway at Community Drive which will permit visitors to access EarthQuest from I-45,” according to a report (pdf) by the NorthCrest Property Owner’s Association posted to the Houston Chronicle comments section. At least one local real estate firm is beginning to try to sell properties around this proposed development because “now is the time to begin thinking about all of the businesses that will be needed around the new park. Gas stations, hotels, restaurants, etc. will be in demand!,” according to their blog at activerain.com.

The project is expected to receive some form of public support, possibly through a bond financed through the East Montgomery County Improvement District, as described by the Courier of Montgomery County and the NorthCrest POA report noted above.

“It’s hard to see how this could qualify as ‘green.’ No doubt they will have a few stormwater practices to make that claim—but don’t think it quite makes up for the loss in ecology,” said John Jacob, Director of the Texas Coastal Watershed Program, quoted in OffCite, who reported on the proposal following an event last week to unveil plans:

During an information session at Kirksey Architects on Wednesday, September 8, a team including former Disney “imagineer” Chris Brown, developer Don Lessem (aka Dino Don), and MIT scientist Dr. Matt Gardner presented plans for EarthQuest.

The 1,600-acre resort and learning institute is set to break ground at an undisclosed date in New Caney, Texas. The facility would teach “green living” and “re-engage the public with what’s real,” according to Brown, who is president of Contour Entertainment. Houston was a strategic choice. As the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country, Brown said that an estimated 18 million people live within a few hours drive of the potential park. This, along with Houston’s position as an energy capital, and the city’s lack of a theme park since the demise of Astroworld, make its location prime real estate.

If people are on a quest for anything in this day and age, it’s one to figure out how to be more “green.” Now, theme parks are vying for a coveted position in the green arena. But the notion of “green” can be amorphous.

The presenters acknowledged that the project would involve “cutting down” most of the 1,600 acres of quality bottomland natural forest on the site along Caney Creek.

Don Lessem, creator and limited partner of the project, posted on the Houston Chronicle article responded to various criticisms in the comments with the following:

As the creator of the Earthquest Adventures project and the independent nonprofit EarthQuest Institute, I’d like to both thank all of those commenting and try to answer some of the questions and doubts expressed. Given the history of the theme park industry in Houston, Astroworld and Six Flags especially, I shared your concerns - at least when I entered into this project. If I haven’t answered your questions, please feel free to write me here or personally, with any other questions I haven’t remembered to address, as these emails are forwarded to the person questioned.

So here goes:

GREEN - That’s not the usual eco promoting baloney which I find infuriating. The park is not only themed around preservation of the environment, it actually does so in every way we can. This is not some paved over playland. The 500 acre woodland site in E. Montgomery County will be preserved, down to the trees and streams, with added trails and recreational features available to all, not just those who buy park tickets. The park will recycle its water, and use solar and other alternative fuels. There is not enough of any of these to fuel an entire park and wind is far too variable in Houston for wind generation. But all those features and others, such as algae farming will be demonstrated. There will also be a wildlife breeding preserve in coordination with the Houston Zoo and a separate low-cost activity area for areas families wishing a few hours entertainment only. At the core of the park is an independent nonprofit Institute which provides information and activities for visitors so they can see rather than read about ways they can incorporate sustainable practices into everyday life - from housing to transportation. An “incubator” facility for green businesses is also included.

RIDES - There are more than 50. Several are traditional coasters and all the “whirl and hurl” rides people love, others are water rides of a form, though not extent, available at big parks elsewhere. But many new technologies including, for example, the audience choosing which wild river to follow, are incorporated. More importantly each activity and themed area (Water, Land, Past, etc.) is themed around the natural world.

VIABILITY - Three different top international entertainment industry analysts have all predicted a very favorable return, sufficient to attract several bidders to finance the project - those offers are being weighed with a commitment by end of year. This is not a fly-by-night operation or scam. More than 7 million has been spent on development of the project to date under the supervision of ex-Disney executives at Contour Entertainment in Los Angeles. The projections for 1.5 million or more visitors are entirely from a 2 hour drive radius. Given its unique nature and as the only park of its scale in the middle of the country, I do think the park will attract many from much farther away, but we have no way to quantify that so it is not in our estimates.

WHY HOUSTON - Yes, the weather is awful but you go out in anyway. This is a relatively prosperous, young community, and the fourth largest in the country, yet the only major city without a big amusement facility. As personal savings shrink, unfortunately, these days, an attraction close to home is increasingly important. We chose Houston after a nationwide search and dozens of offers of community support because of these factors and the innovative support of the East Montgomery County Improvement Board.
Our prices will be competitive with other theme parks, and again, I think we’ll offer something more and different for your money.

JOBS - Of the forecast 1500 jobs on site, some will be high-paid managerial and executive positions, others low-paying - just as in any industry. Many of the lower-paying jobs will likely be filled by young adults who at present have no employment opportunities, though available to all. Tax benefits to the area are in the billions by expert analysis, and 15,000 ancillary jobs will result if we continue to do our job right, and if you come!

Best wishes,
Don Lessem

(Image credit: Earthadventures.com)