DESIGN FOR FIRST PHASE OF BRENHAM FAMILY PARK TO BE COMPLETED ‘VERY SOON’

  

The City of Brenham is getting closer to wrapping up design for the initial stage of the Brenham Family Park project.

Public Works Director Dane Rau informed members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board today (Wednesday) that the city is 90 percent through with design of Phase 1(a) improvements and should be at 100 percent “very soon.”  He also announced that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has received approval from the National Parks Service to issue a Notice to Proceed to the city for the project.

Once the city receives the Notice to Proceed, which should be within the next 30 days, that will start the city’s clock on construction of the park.  Rau said the city will have three years to complete the pieces that are part of the grant received from TPWD, including utility improvements, parking, restrooms, a walking/biking trail, an amenity lake/detention pond, lighting, wildflower areas, pedestrian bridges and signage.  Rau said a two-year extension is possible based on factors like weather or funding. 

The city has $1.54 million to start on the project, with $750,000 coming from the TPWD grant and $794,000 by way of earmarked funds from the Brenham Community Development Corporation (BCDC).  Given the increase in material and construction costs since the city initially applied for the grant in 2020, Rau said more will be needed to “get this project off the ground”.

Rau said officials are exploring ways to maximize the available funding while still fulfilling as many requested park features as possible.  He mentioned the facility naming policy adopted by the city in 2022 as a potential option to secure funding and stated that community input is welcome throughout this process.

Also at today’s meeting, the board discussed a recent request from a group seeking to organize 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 soccer leagues and play at Hohlt Park.  The group would provide older children and adults an avenue for organized play and would have a larger umbrella with teams and players around the region, not just Washington County. 

The intent would be to play a 10-11 month season, but Rau and the board were hesitant about allowing that long of a season, given the high amount of field usage in the fall.  They also said they needed more time to consider what type of fee schedule to assign, since this is not a local league, and certify that the group is insured to host a league and play at the park. 

The board also gave its recommendation of approval for a rehab intensive program combining rehabilitation and aquatic therapy at the Blue Bell Aquatic Center.  The three-week program, which would be hosted two days a week by licensed PTA Amberly Darby, would lease space at the facility to assist patients with neurological disorders or trauma.  The approval is based upon the city establishing a user agreement and setting lease rates.

Click here to view the agenda packet for Wednesday's meeting.