Master Plan

About Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department Users

In October 2015 the City Commission adopted the 2015 PARD Master Plan, previous plans had been completed in 2008 and 1995. PARD continues to its aim to be good stewards of the cities natural and cultural resources and to provide safe parks, trails, and natural areas that offer opportunities for active and passive recreation and community gatherings as outlined it the 2008 master plan. The 2015 master plan focused on Park Assessments, Marketing, Strategic Implementation Plan, and Parks Maintenance Operations Plan, and a Business Plan for the Brownsville Sports Park (BSP). The Brownsville Sports Park is owned by Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (4B Sales Tax) and operated by BPARD through an operational agreement to maintain the $36M premiere sports complex funded by Sales Tax Revenue Bonds.

The objectives associated with the development of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan included the following:

• Engage the community, leadership and stakeholders in meaningful and varied public input to build a shared vision for parks and recreation that supports the economic and community goals of the City of Brownsville;

• Utilize a wide variety of data sources and best practices to predict trends and patterns of use and how to address unmet needs in the City;

• Determine unique Level of Service standards for the City to project appropriate and prudent actions regarding program services, parks, open space, amenities, trails, cultural and natural resources;

• Shape financial and operational preparedness through innovative and “next” practices in revenue generation to achieve the strategic objectives and recommended actions, and implementation strategies outlined in the plan;

• Develop a dynamic and realistic action plan that can ensure long-term success and financial sustainability for the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The Master Plan is a means to guide the provision of parks and recreation and advance the overall mission and vision of the Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department. The goal is to guide in the delivery of excellent parks, trails, public facilities, activities, programs, and services that will contribute to community prosperity and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to the city.

The plan was also instrumental to: • The development of the Levels of Service and Funding for the Brownsville Sports Park.

• The commitment of funding for Parks Improvement (playgrounds, fencing, and restrooms).

• The implementation of the recreation programming principles.

• The identification of the open space and recreation infrastructure design needs and opportunities.

• Determine community needs and level of satisfaction with the overall value with the department’s services.