Rob Bamford Named General Manager at Cross Creek Ranch

HOUSTON, TX – Rob Bamford, who has developed multiple, award-winning communities spanning more than 73,000 home sites, has been named General Manager of the west Houston master-planned community, Cross Creek Ranch.

A project of Johnson Development Corporation, Cross Creek Ranch ranked as one of the top 20 best-selling master-planned communities in the United States in 2011.   Most recently, the community was recognized as Houston’s 2012 Master Planned Community of the Year by the Greater Houston Builders Association.

A veteran of more than 30 years of single-family land development, Bamford joins Cross Creek Ranch after serving as General Manager for Grand Lakes, the 1,250-acre west Houston master-planned community by Trendmaker Homes and a Gold Award Winner for Best Large Community in the National Association of Home Builders “Best of American Living” Competition.

“Rob is an impressive development professional with a deep understanding of the west Houston market,” says Doug Goff, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Johnson Development.

Bamford joined Trendmaker Homes and Development in 1992 as a Project Manager where he was responsible for all residential development activities in the company’s Houston portfolio. He launched his residential development career in 1983 with EDEN Corporation, the land development subsidiary of General Homes Corporation.

“This is an exciting time for Cross Creek Ranch,” says Bamford.  “The foundation has been laid for a great community.”

Residents in Cross Creek Ranch enjoy resort-style amenities including the Cross Creek Water Park, a large resort-style swimming pool with a 200-foot water slide, a wading pool and spray park.  Cross Creek Ranch also is home to miles of hike-and-bike trails, a fitness center and sports complex with tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball court and playgrounds for all ages.  Plus, several parks are located within walking distance of every neighborhood in the community.

Located in the top-performing area for new home sales in Houston, Cross Creek Ranch currently has close to 700 homes with another 5,000 home sites available for development over the next ten years.  Approximately 200 acres in the community have been set aside for retail, commercial and multi-family.

About Cross Creek Ranch

Cross Creek Ranch is a 3,200-acre master-planned community in Katy, just minutes west of the Grand Parkway off FM 1093.  Recognized as Houston’s 2012 Master-Planned Community of the Year by the Greater Houston Builders Association, Cross Creek Ranch offers resort-style amenities including the Cross Creek Water Park, miles of hike-and-bike trails and a fitness center and sports complex with tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball court and playgrounds for all ages.  Families in the community currently attend schools in the Katy Independent School District and eventually the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District.   Cross Creek Ranch is a project of Johnson Development.  For more information, go to www.crosscreektexas.com.

For More Information:
Bernard Kaplan
Kaplan Public Relations
(713) 784-1077

Johnson Development Corp. Acquires West Houston Master-Planned Community Cross Creek Ranch

HOUSTON, TX (April 17, 2012) – Johnson Development Corp. has acquired Cross Creek Ranch, the 3,200-acre master-planned community located minutes west of the Grand Parkway off FM 1093.

Originally designed and developed by Trendmaker Homes, Cross Creek Ranch opened in Spring 2008. In 2011, new home sales in Cross Creek Ranch placed it as one of the top 20 best-selling master-planned communities in the United States. Most recently, the west Houston community was recognized as Houston’s 2012 Master Planned Community of the Year by the Greater Houston Builders Association.

Located in the top-performing area for new home sales in Houston, Cross Creek Ranch currently has close to 700 homes with another 5,000 home sites available for development over the next ten years. Approximately 200 acres in the community have been set aside for retail, commercial and multi-family.

The purchase of the popular master-planned community marks Johnson Development’s entry into the Katy sub-market, an area the Houston-based development company with a 30-year track record has eyed for years.

“We’ve been interested in the Katy area sub-market for quite some time,” notes Johnson Development Corp. President Larry Johnson. “This is an exciting addition to our portfolio of highly amenitized communities.”

The acquisition also comes at a time when master-planned communities nationwide are reporting their strongest sales in three years, according to Robert Charles Lesser & Co., an independent real estate advisory firm. Moreover, Houston currently stands at the top housing market in the United States as measured by new home starts.

Johnson Development’s collection of award-winning master-planned communities includes Sienna Plantation and Riverstone, two of the top best-selling master-planned communities in the United States, as well as Fall Creek, Woodforest, Tuscan Lakes, Edgewater, Silverlake and the new Imperial development in Sugar Land.

Will Holder, president of Trendmaker Homes, says the company will continue to build homes in Cross Creek Ranch. He adds the sale will allow Trendmaker Homes to participate aggressively in other communities in Houston.

“We’re proud of what we started in Cross Creek Ranch and will continue to explore new areas of growth in the Houston area,” says Holder.

Residents in Cross Creek Ranch enjoy a number of resort-style amenities including the Cross Creek Water Park, a large resort-style swimming pool with a 200-foot water slide, a wading pool and spray park. It also is home to miles of hike-and-bike trails and a fitness center and sports complex with tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball court and playgrounds for all ages. Plus, several parks are located within walking distance of every neighborhood in the community.

Builders in Cross Creek Ranch include Ashton Woods Homes, Kickerillo Company, Newmark Homes, Perry Homes, Plantation Homes, Trendmaker Homes and Village Builders.

Families in the community currently attend schools in the Katy Independent School District and eventually in the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District as well. In addition, the Cross Creek Ranch Education Foundation will fund enhanced education programs for students of all age groups.

For information about Cross Creek Ranch, go to www.crosscreektexas.com.

About Trendmaker Homes: Established in 1971, Trendmaker Homes has long been recognized as Houston’s premier luxury home builder for generations of Texans. We focus on the needs and desires of our homebuyers. Based on surveys compiled by Woodland O’Brien, a national homebuilder research firm, 99% of our homeowners would recommend us to their family and friends, which ranks Trendmaker in the top 10% of home builders nationally. Our focus is on providing superior quality new homes for Texans who expect nothing less than the best. Visit Trendmaker Homes website for more information about new homes for sale in Houston Texas and surrounding areas: www.trendmakerhomes.com.

About Johnson Development Corp.: The Johnson Development Corp. is a Houston-based, award-winning residential and commercial land development company. For more than three decades, the company has set the standard for successful master-planned communities in Houston, Atlanta and other markets around the country. Its impressive collection of Houston-area communities includes Sienna Plantation, Riverstone, Fall Creek, Woodforest, Tuscan Lakes, Edgewater, Silverlake and the new Imperial development. Johnson Development’s communities in Atlanta include Towne Lake, BridgeMill and Lake Arrowhead. The company also provides outsourced development and construction services for property owners without the management resources or in-house development team to realize the potential of their land positions. For more information on Johnson Development, visit www.johnsondevelopment.com.

Foam Roller Workout at Cross Creek Fitness

If you have ever suffered from pain during a workout or injured yourself in your sport, foam rolling is an essential tool to recovery. More importantly foam rolling can also help prevent these injuries.

Foam rolling is a self-myofascial release (SMR) technique that is often used by athletes and physical therapists to inhibit overactive muscles.

Join Dr. Harrison of Airrosti will be at the Cross Creek Ranch Fitness Center tonight from 6-7pm, for a free course in proper use and rehabilitating techniques with the foam roller.

This clinic is open to all levels of fitness. Foam rollers and mats will be provided.

Are you ready?

Are you ready to go for a jog, walk or bike ride? Miles of hike and bike trails meander in and through the gently rolling hills of Cross Creek. Winding mostly along the water’s edge, the trails border the several hundred acres of lakes on the property. Trails also run along the newly restored Flewellen Creek, connecting the community near the amenity center.

Happy Birthday Theodor Geisel!

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.

~Dr. Seuss

Resident Photo: The Bridge at Cross Creek Ranch by JD Smith

This awesome picture was taken on February 15 of the Flewellen Creek Bridge by JD Smith, a resident of CCR.

Video | Cross Creek Fitness Overview

Find Out How Cross Creek Ranch Residents Stay Healthy

As General Manager with Plus One at Cross Creek Fitness, Amy Patterson works with her experienced staff to develop ongoing programs that keep Cross Creek residents active for the long run. In this video, Amy explains why Cross Creek Fitness is more than just a “gym”.

The spacious 6,000 sq.ft. fitness center is located in Cross Creek Commons, and is fully staffed and managed by Plus One Health Management, a world leader in management of corporate fitness centers and luxury hotel spas.

The most affectionate creature in the world…

…Is a wet dog.

~Ambrose Bierce

Cross Creek Ranch “Mommy and Me” Stroller Group

By: Cristina Triche
Are you a mom who is looking to get outdoors with other moms in your neighborhood? Are you looking to network with other moms in your Cross Creek Ranch Community? Then the Cross Creek Ranch Mommy and Me Stroller Group is just what you are looking for!

Cross Creek Ranch Pot Luck Dinner

It was a cool, crisp evening. The sun began to set along the lake and laughter and excitement filled the air. Brisket, sausage, homemade sides, desserts and most importantly SMILES were served at the first ever Cross Creek Ranch pot luck dinner last night.

Cross Creek Ranch Welcomes 2012!

Cross Creek Ranch residents enjoyed an early firework celebration to welcome the New Year last night. Neighbors gathered on the hill next to the Welcome Center early to meet and greet each other. The weather was beautiful and the sky was clear.

The firework show started promptly at 7:30. The kids were excited and were anticipating a great show. It did not disappoint. The fireworks were remarkable and the show lasted for an incredible 20 minutes. Cheers and applause filled the air following the grand finale. Everyone had a great time.

A special thank you goes out to Kara, Christian and Maegan for providing photos for the slide show.

Cross Creek Ranch 2011 Holiday Incentives

From October 28 – December 31, 2011, we are giving you even more great reasons to move to Cross Creek Ranch:

Register at the Welcome Center and we’ll buy you lunch at our Café!

Register to receive a $10 gift certificate to the Cross Creek Ranch Essence Café located in our Welcome Center. One per family. No other purchase necessary.

Visit our Model Homes and Check Out All the Valuable Year End Incentives!

End-of-the-Year Incentives are being offered by our Award-Winning Builders — Discounts and Upgrades valued up to $30,000! See the Builder Sales Managers at each model for all the details. Additional information and maps are available at the Welcome Center.

National Night Out at Cross Creek Ranch

Kenny Seymour, Chief of Police, Thomas C. Kuykendall, Jr, Mayor, Donna R Lamb, Welcome Center Manager at Cross Creek Ranch, Cheryl Stalinsky, Economic Development Director, C. J. Snipes, City Administrator

Tuesday, October 4th was National Night Out at Cross Creek Ranch.

The children were photographed, fingerprinted and DNA ID kits were processed for each child present at the event.  We met local police officers and public service officials.

NNO is a community-sponsored campaign aimed at building a stronger, safer community through heightened crime prevention awareness, while generating support for local anti-crime programs, strengthening the neighborhood/police community partnerships and encouraging neighbors to get out and meet each other.

After all the children went through the identification process, visited with local officers and filled up on great pizza from PEPPERONI’S, everyone went back to their local sections in Cross Creek Ranch for dessert and visited for hours.

Join Us for the Third Annual “Celebrate Your Princess” Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

Join us at Cross Creek Commons Saturday, October 22, 2011 for an exciting event to support the CHRISTUS St. Catherine Breast Cancer Awareness Fund

Join us for a day of fun for the whole family – pets welcome too (leashed only please!). There will be tons of excitement in the Kids Zone – bounce house, rock wall, face painters and pumpkin decorating! Walk to honor, to support or strengthen the cause and celebrate with us following, at the Pink Pamper Party with local boutiques, spa services – including pet pampering, shop at the Pink Market, enjoy live music,pamper your pets withWagon Tails – and much, much more.

Date: Saturday, October 22, 2011

Start: 7:30 AM Check In, 9:00 AM Start

Register Online or By Mail

• $20 Before October 7th
  
• $25 October 8th through 20th
  
• $30 Walk Day
  
• $50 “Sleep In” Donation
  
• FREE – Children 6 and Under (T-shirts are available)
  

Each participant receives a “Celebrate Your Princess” tote and t-shirt!

Register Online

Download Registration Form

Sponsorship Opportunities

October 1st: Celebrate Your Princess Party @ Preston’s

Fundraiser for CCR resident, Missy Wicker

Left to Right: Makenzie, Elizabeth, Allene, Gracie, Samantha and Elena.

Left to Right: Jim, Missy and Liz Wicker with Stan Stanley.

CROSS CREEK RANCH Fundraiser for Missy Wicker   by Jackie Ennis

It was a successful night at the Cross Creek Ranch on Saturday, August 20^th as crowds of supporters for Missy Wicker showed up to the Cross Creek Ranch’s Multipurpose room to raffle and eat some tasty barbecue. All proceeds went to the Missy Wicker Fund, as our turn out raised over $8,500.00 dollars in donations. The Fulshear Commercial State Bank volunteered their trackless train and time, allowing all the little attendees free rides.  The evening was filled with many Cross Creek Residents and members of our community coming together to help the beautiful nine-year-old fourth grader.  Missy is a resident of Cross Creek Ranch as well as a student at Stanley Elementary School. The mayor of Fulshear, Tommy Kuykendall, along with Mr. and Mrs. Stanley of Stan Stanley Elementary and the school’s principals, Mrs. Finnes and Mrs. Bailey, attended the event to support Missy Wicker. This was a great community event, where everyone enjoyed the fun activities and neighborhood bonding.  Missy’s teachers helped serve food along with her neighbors of Cross Creek Ranch.  Many of the door prizes, raffle items and baked goods were provided by residents of Cross Creek Ranch as well the Cross Creek Ranch Marketing Department.  Spring Creek, HEB and Black Walnut also provided donations for the barbecue.

Cross Creek Ranch Residents recognized the need for the Wicker family and were able to organize this event in only a few short weeks.  Neighbors joined in by bringing dinners, mowing their yard and helping with their children.  Everyone pitched in without hesitation.  We live in a wonderful community with really giant, giving hearts.  At the end of the fundraising evening, the Wicker’s gave a thank you speech that had the whole room in tears.  With the large number of relocations to Cross Creek Ranch, it would seem that it would be difficult for all the people to come together, yet the residents have formed together into a united family.  We are all proud and honored to be here in this wonderful community.

On Monday, the children lined up at the bus stop of Brandy Creek, and all in attendance shared their large smiles with their fellow student and friend, Missy, all ready to go.  This event simply reinforced the fact that wherever there is a friend in need, the helping hands of this wonderful community will come together to try their best to find a solution.

CCR Homeowners! Italian Ice Social Pool Party on September 5th, 2-4pm!

Looking for ways to get a bit cooler this summer? Nothing beats fun at the pool, and An ITALIAN ICE SOCIAL, provided by Rita’s Italian Ice.

Click here for details!!

Your Cross Creek Ranch Community Association is hard at work scheduling other great events to be held at Cross Creek. Be on the lookout for upcoming details regarding Astronomy on Wheels; Fall Garage Sale; National Night Out/Neighborhood Watch; 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Walk; Resident Halloween Party; Kayak Demonstration; Resident Christmas Party – with other fall events in the work. Check the homeowner intranet for the latest updates.

An Engineer and a Mayor

When Tommy Kuykendall (BSCE ’97) took a construction job with the Texas Department of Transportation 25 years ago, he wasn’t really thinking about going to college. Fast-forward to today and Kuykendall is a past president of the Houston branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers. vice president and co-owner of a 25-person engineering firm, and mayor of Fulshear, Texas.

That’s a lot of change. even for a full quarter century. So what happened?

At TXDOT, he said. “I noticed that a lot of the guys who were advancing were working on getting a college degree. I realized that if I wanted to move up. l’d have to go and get my degree too.”

So in 1989, Kuykendall began taking night classes at a community college in Richmond, Texas. A few years later he enrolled in the UH Cullen College of Engineering, graduating magna cum laude in 1997 with a degree in civil engineering.

Kuykendall spent the next 11 years working as a civil engineer and engineering project manager. Then, in 2009, he joined forces with Victoria, Texas-based CivilCorp. LLC. Looking to increase its presence in the Houston area, the company tapped Kuykendall as its vice president and head of its Houston office. The firm offers a full range of civil engineering and land surveying services, from roadway and transportation engineering. to planning studies, to drainage analysis and design, to water distribution systems, to right-of-way and route surveys.

While CivilCorp’s Houston office has only been open for two years, it has already landed some significant projects, including handling storm sewer design, ramp design, cost estimates and construction scheduling for the $310 million reconstruction and widening of Interstate Highway 35 through the city of Waco.

While Kuykendall was busy establishing his career. not to mention raising two children with his wife, Rhonda, he took on another role: that of civil servant.

Kuykendall began his service to Fulshear in 2002 in the most natural place for a civil engineer, as a volunteer member of the city’s planning commission. ln 2010, he was elected mayor.

For Fulshear. this is a good time to have a civil engineer at the helm. Though the city has a population of only around 1,500, it is located in one of the fastest-growing regions of the country. The city must plan wisely in order to accommodate this growth yet maintain its small-town character and charm, Kuykendall said.

“In talking to engineers or developers about projects, just having the engineering background is a plus in this position. lts been very helpful to have a knowledge base to analyze situations and make decisions,” said Kuykendall.

Kuykendall has also set up a more formal structure for the management and operation of municipal functions. Under his leadership, Fulshear has hired its first city administrator and put in place a professional staff in city hall that should provide continuity from one administration to the next.

“We have a long way to go as the city grows: the needs can be overwhelming. However. my view is that if we make good decisions each day, then a year or two years from now we’ll have a foundation of good decisions that will be moving us in the right direction”

This article was originally found in The Cougar Engineer, Volume 6,  Summer 2011

Community Updates: Summer Time 2011

We are hopeful that everyone is enjoying the summer time, as it is quickly passing. We want to give you a seasonal update of what we have done, what we are doing and what we will be doing in Cross Creek Ranch.

• The Arbor Park is open and ready for playground kids and volleyball, tennis and basketball players. The restrooms and courts are card key activated and the pavilion is party ready.

• Our new nine hole disc Frisbee golf course is now open along Flewellen Creek.  Please check out the course layout and environment which is second to none in the area.

• A number of new small playgrounds and shelters are now complete, complementing our numerous existing parks and playgrounds.

• New signs are now positioned along our trail system showing all of our courses and links. Distance markers are underway to identify all of the various links of each trail course.

• Our tree count continues to GROW and we are now approaching the 19,000 mark. Flewellen Creek is rapidly changing before our eyes.  We appreciate your patience as we steadily work to complete another planting phase of our centerpiece, Flewellen Creek.

• Construction is underway with an extension to Cross Creek Bend that will tie into the future Fry Road expansion and ultimately to FM 1463. We expect this paved connection to be completed in 2012.

• We have enjoyed great success with several community events over the early spring and summer:  splash day, snake safety, concert on the hill, Katy Prairie Conservancy and the community garage sale. Please stay tuned for more happenings to follow including the fall garage sale, the third annual breast cancer walk, the CCR Triathlon, Halloween Howl and National Night Out.

• The Katy YMCA is offering summer and fall youth programs at CCR. These programs are dependent on interest and registration levels and we will let you know once programs are committed.

Thanks again for your patronage to Cross Creek Ranch, we are working hard to meet and keep your expectations.  Have a safe and enjoyable summer season!

Your Cross Creek Ranch Community Association Board of Directors

And Trendmaker Development Company

Arbor Park, Cross Creek Ranch’s Sports Complex Now Open!

Arbor Park is now officially opened to Cross Creek Ranch homeowners! Arbor Park features 2 clay tennis courts ready for singles or doubles games, a white sand volley ball court and a basketball court. Also, the sports complex has playground equipment that is suitable for all ages and safety rated as well as restrooms and shaded rest areas.

Located northwest of the Welcome Center, homeowners may access Arbor Park via their card keys. If you are a new homeowner and need to get your card key, please contact or visit the Welcome Center for available set up times and directions.