BRENHAM PARKS & REC BOARD RECEIVES UPDATE ON JACKSON STREET PARK IMPROVEMENTS
The Brenham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Wednesday heard an update on the progress being made with the design of Phase 1 improvements at Jackson Street Park.
phase of improvements at Jackson Street Park.
(courtesy City of Brenham, Burditt Consultants)
The City of Brenham is working with Burditt Consultants LLC to bring the park up to current ADA standards, replace aging play equipment, upgrade electrical infrastructure and lighting around the park, and enhance the restrooms. The improvements will be paid for with $1.2 million in funding allocated by the Brenham Community Development Corporation that is derived from sales tax dollars.
Originally, plans called for a brand-new restroom facility, but according to City of Brenham Public Works Director Dane Rau, the value of the restrooms was $365,000. Board members and the audience gave consideration to instead rehabilitate the existing restrooms and make them more accessible, while taking the funding that would have gone toward the new restrooms and putting it toward four new pickleball courts adjacent to the current ones. The new courts would not take away the basketball courts or parking.
Jackson Street Park.
(courtesy City of Brenham, Cunningham Recreation)
Further enhancements, like an open-air pavilion and more connectivity in the middle of the park, could be considered in future phases.
Rau said the city hopes to go out for bid by November, and if bids come back positive, construction could start by February or March of 2025.
Click here to view the agenda packet for Wednesday's meeting.
In my opinion there should be more than 4 more additional pickleball courts. For the most part when me and my friends try to go play pickleball all the courts are full.
Don’t forget when they originally talked about upgrading the park. The people in power wanted to add 23 new pickle ball courts, with the removal of the basketball court, and moving the bathrooms so they could make the parking lot larger for the out of town pickle ball tournaments that would be pouring into town.
There have been numerous public discussions and revisions to this Jackson Street Park plan. You remember what you choose to remember. These have been ongoing discussions and revisions. There are adjustments and concessions on all sides to work with the money provided by BCDC. We are blessed to have such a great park system with the help of BCDC. Educate yourself rather than work on outrage and everything in this world will be so much better. I am very excited for the changes and upgrades to a GREAT family park.
City of Brenham Parks and Recreation Department, Parks Board, and the Brenham Community Development Corporation
I want to express my sincere gratitude for prioritizing the urgent need for Pickleball courts over restroom improvements at Jackson St. Park. The demographics of those using the Pickleball courts have significantly evolved. Initially, it was primarily adults and seniors who frequented the courts. However, we’ve recently seen a remarkable increase in participation from younger community members, including the young adults from Blinn College, high school and junior high students. On average, there are 25 to 30 youths playing nearly every evening in addition to the adults.
New courts will certainly not go unused. The enthusiasm among the youth is inspiring, and it’s heartening to witness Jackson St. Park come to life with such vibrant activity. Pickleball is proving to be a positive, engaging outlet for our town’s youth—providing good, clean fun that our community can be proud of.
Thank you for considering making this valuable addition to our park.
Someone pretty influential in this town must have demanded more Pickel ball courts. City bowed down to them.