DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Update on next steps of the Brackenridge Park Draft Master Plan
SUMMARY:
An update on next steps of the Brackenridge Park Draft Master Plan.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The FY 2015 Budget approved an amendment in the amount of $250,000.00 to update the Brackenridge Park Master Plan. In April 2015, City Council approved the development of a master plan for Brackenridge Park through a professional services agreement with Rialto Studio, Inc. and in early March 2016, a copy of the draft document was provided to Mayor and City Council. In order to obtain verbal and written comments on the draft document a total of seven (7) public input meetings were then facilitated which concluded in July.
On August 15, 2016, the Parks and Recreation Department presented a summary of citizen comments and feedback of the draft master plan to the Neighborhoods and Livability Committee. The Committee approved the Parks and Recreation Department's recommended course of action to move forward with strategies which were supported through public input and comments. Strategies that did not garner public support included closure of park roads with the implementation of a tram system, and removal of existing parking and development of a grand lawn; these elements will not be included in the final master plan.
The approved course of action includes six (6) events-based master planning activities in the park which are interactive and hands-on sessions to better understand and conceptualize the supported strategies of the draft master plan which include: the restoration of natural park features; restoring, preserving and articulating the park's cultural and historic features; and increasing visibility and pedestrian access to and within the park. The series of events which began on October 7 and run through November 19 are advertised in English and Spanish across...
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