DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Brackenridge Park Master Plan
SUMMARY:
This ordinance approves the adoption of the Brackenridge Park 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 developing the draft master plan the project team conducted asset mapping of the park, held a public workshop in July 2015, and engaged feedback from numerous established park stakeholder groups. The consultants presented the draft master plan to the public on April 26, 2016 and highlighted five (5) strategies to transform the park into a more walkable, enjoyable place while balancing the traditional use of the park and its history. These strategies included: 1) restoring natural park features and improving water quality; 2) preserving and restoring the park's cultural and historic features; 3) increasing the park's visibility and pedestrian access; 4) recapturing green space in lieu of impervious cover; and 5) reducing vehicular traffic to improve pedestrian mobility.
Subsequent to the public presentation, Councilman Trevi?o was contacted by local park stakeholders regarding limited opportunities for citizen input, especially those who historically utilized the park. Through his and other Councilmember's engagement the Parks and Recreation Department facilitated six (6) additional public meetings that were highly advertised and held throughout the community. From that effort the community publicly endorsed three (3) draft mas...
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