QPD Community Review: Cross Creek Ranch is a Well-Polished Development Standing inside the big red observation deck at Cross Creek Ranch (CCR), Rob Bamford, CCR’s general manager, points to an enormous pond lined with tall, native grasses. “That’s our polishing pond, which is part of CCR’s reuse project. The pond is roughly the size of 35 football fields, and we have around 50 species of birds that come to the pond throughout the year,” says Bamford. The polishing pond helps with water quality and means that CCR’s pond system uses far less groundwater than similar community ponds. Over 95% of the community’s irrigation comes from a reclaimed water “purple pipe” system. Bamford scans and describes the over 18 miles of hike and bike trails, over 20 pocket parks and playgrounds, 45,000 planted trees, and indigenous plant landscaping throughout the community. Cross Creek Ranch is a Johnson Development Company project. Like all other Quality Planed Developments, CCR features landscaping, sidewalks, and scenic roadways that adhere to best practices in master-planned community development. Covenants and deed restrictions for a higher level of community involvement and increase the likelihood that the community will remain an attractive place to live and play for years to come. “Johnson Development is committed to sustainable, active communities in every sense of the word,” says Bamford. “We built this community in two award winning school districts, Katy and Lamar and with access to major employment centers, like the Energy Corridor and Westchase. We have a welcome center with a patio cafe and 6,000 square-foot community gym with membership included in HOA fees. CCR has its own community director plans who plans and leads 75 community events each year.” Walking to the east side of the observation deck, Bamford stands beside Chris Browne, an engineer at EHRA. Bamford points to the horizon and says, “That’s Williamson Tower, and the buildings behind that are downtown Houston. Downtown is about 35 miles away from here in Fulshear.” Browne says, “I recognize those building in front—that’s Westchase, where our offices are. It took me less than twenty minutes to get here.” A drive from Memorial City Mall took a little over 30 minutes—it was definitely worth the drive.