Parks & Recreation and Engineering staff is proposing to proceed with the next phase of Brazos River Park improvements with the remaining 2013 Park Bond funds.

As a result of the 2013 Bond Election, Brazos River Park Phase I was built in 2017 with the spine road, parking lots, restroom, trails, landscape, and associated utilities, including water, electrical, storm water, sanitary, etc. Phase II is the connector road and trail between Brazos River Park and Sugar Land Memorial Park. The project was recently constructed, and the ribbon cutting took place on May 27, 2021. The remaining budget allocated for Brazos River Park is approximately $1.5 million dollars.

For the next phase, staff recommends adding a pavilion, a playground, associated walkways, site furnishing, landscaping, and irrigation to better serve the residents and visitors for the reasons below:

1. It will enhance Brazos River Park with popular community amenities, which is an action item in the 2018 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan.
2. It will improve Brazos River Park and The Crown Festival Park as an event destination.
3. It will maximize the value $1.5 Million can bring to the community by utilizing the existing infrastructure such as parking, road, restroom, utilities, etc.
4. It will provide additional rental amenities and help generate revenue for the City.
5. It will fulfill the commitments of the 2013 Parks Bond election for Brazos River Park

Staff researched the project feasibility, conducted conceptual design and prepared a preliminary cost estimate. The pavilion is located at the north tip of the lower Brazos Bowl as another anchor on the axis of the existing overlook structure. This large shade structure will provide comfortable shade and gathering space for both regular park users and the event patrons. The playground is located on the south side of the pavilion and is surrounded by an oval loop trail and canopy trees. It is an opportunity to provide unique play structures for children of all ages. These popular amenities will attract more and more residents, visitors, families, and groups to come to socialize, exercise, enjoy nature and have fun.        

Upon reaching Council consensus at the workshop on the proposed project direction, the next steps are:

•  Review the schematic design with PARCS Board to get their input
• Select a design consultant to complete the design and construction documentation
• Council award of the design contract

The Phase III project will complete the City’s 2013 Bond Election projects for the Brazos River Park. The funds are currently available for this project.

In addition, staff will review a schematic plan for a bicycle pump track at Crown Festival Park.  This project is part of the #All In For SLTX initiative to promote exciting new opportunities for residents and visitors to Sugar Land. The pump track is an attraction for all ages and skill levels of bicyclists. The project received initial funding from SL4B for preliminary design and user survey input. 

This workshop item will also include the possible relocation of the skate park from City Park  adjacent to the pump track to provide a further activation of the Crown Festival site.  The current skate park location would then be repurposed to provide additional pickleball courts to address the growing need for adult athletics.