DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on the Brackenridge Park Draft Master Plan
SUMMARY:
Briefing on the Brackenridge Park draft master plan.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
During the FY 2015 Budget process a budget amendment request was made on behalf of the Brackenridge Conservancy for $250,000.00 to update the 1979 Brackenridge Park Master Plan for the purpose of identifying and prioritizing investment in the park through current land use planning and design guidelines. In April 2015, City Council approved the development of a master plan for Brackenridge Park through a professional services agreement with Rialto Studio, Inc.
In early March 2016, a copy of the draft document was provided to Mayor and City Council in anticipation of the briefing provided to the Neighborhoods and Livability Committee on March 29, 2016 and subsequent release to park stakeholders and the public. On April 26, 2016, the project team lead by Rialto Studio, Inc. presented the draft master plan to the public where citizens had the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback. After that meeting Councilman Treviño was contacted by community members concerned that limited opportunities existed for public engagement and feedback on the Brackenridge Park Draft Master Plan and in particular by citizens who traditionally and historically use the park. Through the Councilman’s engagement, the Parks and Recreation Department facilitated six (6) additional public input meetings which concluded in July 2016.
The Parks and Recreation Department presented the results of the public input on the draft master plan to the Neighborhoods and Livability Committee on August 15, 2016. At this briefing a report summarizing the results of the public engagement meetings was provided and was made available to the public on the City’s website, a total of 384 residents attended the community meetings and 103 comment cards were collected. The Parks Department presented a recommendation to move forward with the following three master plan strategies supported through public input and comments: 1) restoration of park natural features and improving water quality; 2) preservation and restoration of park cultural and historic features; and 3) increasing park visibility and pedestrian access. The Parks Department also recommended eliminating from the draft master plan the strategies that did not garner public support, including the closure of park roads with implementation of a tram system and the removal of existing parking within the park and development of a grand lawn. The Neighborhoods and Livability Committee approved the staff recommendation and Chairman Treviño requested that the approved course of action in finalizing the master plan include interactive events-based master planning activities in the park.
The Parks Department conducted six (6) interactive events-based master planning activities in the park during the months of October and November which allowed the public to ask questions and develop a better understanding of the supported draft master plan strategies and conceptualize their integration with the park. A total of 861 residents attended the events and 246 provided feedback through completed surveys. The results of the events-based master planning sessions were presented at the Neighborhoods and Livability Committee on November 29, 2016. The public feedback reaffirmed the supported master plan strategies presented at the Neighborhoods and Livability Committee on August 15, 2016 and the importance of having a plan to guide the preservation and enhancement of Brackenridge Park. The Neighborhoods and Livability Committee recommended the draft master plan be presented to the full City Council at a B Session before final consideration.
ISSUE:
City Council approved the development of a master plan for Brackenridge Park through a professional services agreement with Rialto Studio, Inc. The master plan will serve as the base document for shaping the future development and rehabilitation investments for a sustainable Brackenridge Park to meet the needs of the growing San Antonio community. This briefing will present the outcomes from the public process the Parks and Recreation Department and project team conducted which will be incorporated in the finalized master plan document which will be presented to the full City Council for adoption in February 2017.
ALTERNATIVES:
This is a briefing for informational purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a briefing for informational purposes only.