The Nassau Bay dog park as shown on Google Earth
Google Earth
Houston Chronicle
Yvette Orozco
Nassau Bay city council on Monday night will discuss whether to remove a plaque from the city’s dog park that was placed there to honor the memory of a man who held leadership roles in several Bay Area cities.
The plaque was dedicated in 2020 to the late Chris Reed, who has served as Nassau Bay's city manager and was Kemah's police chief when he drowned in 2019 in a Texas City boating accident.
The agenda item stems from a public comment made during a recent parks and recreation committee meeting, City Manager Nathan Burd said. He said a parent expressed discomfort with the plaque, telling the committee his child was injured during an incident several years ago involving a dog owned by Reed. Further details on the person's comments were not immediately available.
“The committee meets once a month to talk about items related to the parks in the city, and so it was brought up during the citizens’ comments portion by a resident, and that’s what led to where we are tonight,” Burd said.
No particular action is scheduled related to the discussion, although the council could decide to take action such as a resolution for the plaque's removal.
“There’s not a recommendation coming forward; it's just an item for council to discuss,” said Burd.
The dog park, located at 18900 Upper Bay Rd., doesn’t have an official title, but according to Burd, many residents have informally designated it as a tribute to Reed because of the plaque, which welcomes visitors at the park entrance.
Reed was at various points in his life a city manager, law enforcement officer, school board trustee, police chief, U.S. paratrooper, recipient of a Law Enforcement Purple Heart, wrestling coach and mixed martial arts fighter and referee.
The Nassau Bay city council meets every second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at 1800 Space Park Dr #200, Houston, and can be streamed live on the city YouTube channel.
This story will be updated.