The Binglewood Subdivision is in the northern portion of Spring Branch and is comprised of six sections.  It started out as a rural community before the City of Houston expanded to the size it is today.  Sections I through V were built at approximately the same time that the Villages to the south were built, between 1954 and 1963, with Section VI added in 1996.  Binglewood is generally bounded by  Clay Road (north), Hollister (east), Blankenship (south) and Peppermill (west).  The six sections contain a total of 761 homes and has a population of approximately 2,800 residents.  Binglewood students attending public school are part of the Spring Branch Independent School District.

In 2004 a slate of officers was elected that would continue to hold various elected positions in the Binglewood Civic Club over the next 12 years.  This continuity of leadership allowed the Binglewood subdivision to develop and maintain an active, positive, and influential voice with city of Houston elected officials regarding issues that could impact Binglewood.

For example, due to term limits, in 2009 the City of Houston was electing a new Mayor and new Council Member for District “A.”  Because there was no incumbent and the slate of candidates was essentially a list of unknown names for each position, Binglewood held a forum for the District “A” City Council Member candidates at Long Point Faith Center in which seven candidates participated, answering questions and address Spring Branch residents.  This District A candidate forum was followed by a Mayoral forum at Spring Woods High School.

In July 2006, Binglewood sponsored the presentation, UPPER SPRING BRANCH, The Downward Spiral Of a Dying Community or a Hope for Tomorrow?  This was prepared and presented by a resident of Binglewood. The purpose of this presentation was to discuss the state of the community, voice concerns, highlight major issues, offer productive and viable solutions, and extend a plea to regulators and elected officials to take the steps necessary to correct the trajectory faced by the upper Spring Branch region at that time.  While it was anticipated that between 50 to 100 people would attend, word of the presentation spread, and over 200 residents, regulators, and elected officials were in attendance.  Fire Marshals even had to turn away people at the door.  Some of those present or had someone from their office attend in their place were U.S. Congressman John Culberson; Texas State Representatives Dwayne Bohac, Jessica Farrar, and Beverly Wooly; Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole; the Harris County Tax Assessor; various representatives from the City of Houston Mayor’s office, District “A” office, and at Large Position 3; the Chief of the Houston Police Department; other local officials; the Superintendent of the Spring Branch ISD and several Board members; and almost all of the Spring Branch Super Neighborhood Presidents.

One of the things that makes Binglewood special is that it is a small subdivision located in an area that can easily reach all the major parts of Houston.  Memorial City Mall and the Memorial Hermann Medical Center are  a mere 3.5 miles away.  The Galleria is only 6.5 miles away, and the Energy Corridor is just 8.5 miles away.  Homes are moderately priced when compared to homes in other parts of the Spring Branch Area.  Binglewood has a centrally-located six-acre city park.  Playground equipment was recently replaced with new equipment, and additional features were added such as a jogging track, picnic tables and cooking grills.  Most of the homes have large native trees, leaving a 50 to 60 year old forest feeling to the neighborhood.

Binglewood is not overseen by an Home Owners Association or a Property Owners Association.  Binglewood leadership comes in the form of a Civic Club, and the dues listed in the original deed restrictions remains at 1960’s levels.  Monthly Civic Club meetings are held, which usually includes a guest speaker from the community, such as City Council Representatives, State House of Representatives, and has even included the Mayor of Houston and a U.S. member of the House of Representative.  Volunteers take care of street median shrubs and flowers.  Annual events include recognizing veterans, an Independence Day Picnic or party, and a Christmas party whenever possible.

As required by the Binglewood bylaws, Civic Club officers and members of the Board of Directors are elected.  The Civic Club officers and directors are all volunteers, receiving no compensation for their services.  Binglewood has approximately 25 Block Captains.  Block Captains are responsible for distributing neighborhood communications to the assigned block.  They also serve as the immediate point of contact is a resident in the assigned block observes suspicious behavior.

The Binglewood crime rate remains low.  During Hurricane Harvey, while high waters occurred in the streets, almost no home was flooded.  This is primarily because run-off water from Binglewood flows directly into Brickhouse Gully, which flows through the center of the neighborhood.

Binglewood is a very close-knit subdivision and people are friendly.  It has many big city features, while yet maintaining the country atmosphere and charm it was built upon in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Story by James Hajovsky