Parks & Recreation

Aim

The City of Brownsville’s aspirational aim is “we aspire to be the model of innovation, inclusion, and empowerment where bold people and ideas thrive."

The Parks and Recreation Department’s (PARD) vision is to exceed our users' expectations in our delivery of excellent parks, trails, public facilities, activities, programs, and services."

Mission

The mission of the Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department is to directly contribute to the City’s quality of life by providing exceptional programs, facilities, parks and trails while celebrating and preserving the community’s natural and cultural heritage.

ADA

The City of Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department welcomes our patrons with specials needs and or disabilities to participate in our leisure, recreation, leagues, programs and events. Patrons who require a reasonable modification in order to participate are requested to reach to us at (956) 546-HELP, ideally at least 2 weeks in advance in order to best serve you so that all may be able to partake in the enjoyment.

Services

The City of Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) offers quality valued assets and programs to the community through a variety of services that enhance Brownsville’s quality of life, economic value, and sense of community. The PARD manages 40 parks encompassing over 1,000 acres of parkland, features 32 miles of hike/bike trails, 3 gymnasiums and 2 public pools, 50 buildings and structures, over 55 athletics fields, and the Catherine Stillman Dog Park. The Department also offers exceptional recreation programming for all ages in the areas of aquatics, athletics, golf, youth enrichment, and special events.

Office Locations

Downtown Recreation Center || (956) 542-2064
1338 E 8th St. Brownsville, TX 78520

City Plaza || (956) 542-2064
1034 E Levee Street, Brownsville, TX 78520

Brownsville Sports Park || (956) 574-6650
1000 Sporks Park Boulevard, Brownsville, TX 78526

Gonzalez Park Urban Center || (956) 547-6857
34 Tony Gonzalez Dr., Brownsville, TX 78520

Sams Pool || (956) 542-0949
501 E. Ringgold Street, Brownsville, TX 78521

Brownsville Events Center || (956) 554-0700
1 Events Center Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78526

Divisions

Athletics
Aquatics
Brownsville Events Center
Brownsville Golf Center
Brownsville Sports Park
Parks and Trails
Recreation and Events
Old City Cemetery

Boards

Parks Advisory Board
Brownsville Beautification Committee
Keep Brownsville Beautiful

Park Ordinances

City of Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department operates in accordance to City of Brownsville Code of Ordinances Chapter 74 .

Some frequently referenced sections in Chapter 74 include:

Sec. 74-2. - Hours of operation.

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(a)
Schedule. All municipal parks within the city shall be operated under the following schedule:
(1)
Sunday through Thursday: open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; closed from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., except on those days where scheduled park activities require the park to remain open until 12:00 midnight.
(2)
Friday and Saturday: open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; closed from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., except on those days where scheduled park activities require the park to remain open until 12:00 midnight.
(b)
Presence during closed hours. It shall be unlawful for any person, other than city personnel conducting city business therein, to occupy or be present in the municipal parks during any hour in which the parks are not open to the public.
(c)
Authority to close parks to public. Any section or part of the municipal parks may be declared closed to the public by the recreational services director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular or stated intervals.
(d)
Penalty for violation. Any person, except city personnel conducting city business, in any of the municipal parks in the city during the closed hours stated in subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction of any such violation, shall be punishable by a fine as may be set by ordinance or law.
(e)
Notwithstanding subsections 74-2(a)(1) and (2), the municipal park along the Resaca Calmada shall be open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and closed from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. each day of the week.
(Code 1971, §§ 24-8—24-11; Ord. No. 95-898-A, § 1, 3-21-1995; Ord. No. 898-AA-2000, § 1(24-8—24-11), 8-22-2000; Ord. No. 2005-898-B, 6-21-2005)
Sec. 74-4. - Permit required for reservations or usage by group or organization.

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A permit from the parks-recreation division shall be required for the reservation of any park or park facility or for usage by any agency, business, team, or other organization of ten people or more.
(Ord. No. 898-AA-2000, § 1(24-19), 8-22-2000)
Sec. 74-10. - Glass beverage containers.

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(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to take or permit the taking of any glass beverage container of any kind onto any city park or playground or public picnic or recreation area within the corporate city limits. This shall not apply to the confines of any public building located or any of such areas.
(b)
It shall be unlawful for any person to take or permit the taking of any glass beverage container of any kind onto any city parking lot near or adjacent to any municipal park or playground or public picnic or recreation area within the corporate city limits.
(c)
Any person in any of the municipal parks in the city found to be in violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction of any such violation, shall be punishable b
Please note: Other Chapters in the city of Brownsville Code of Ordinances are applicable to parks as well. For more please click HERE.

Park Use Guidelines:

If you decide to visit a park or trail, please abide Current Declaration Amended of Local Disaster For Public Health Emergency Order guidelines.

Leave no trace. Pack it in, pack it out. Pack out all trash, pet waste, etc.
Use trash bins. Use the number 956-546-HELP if you need assistance or have concerns.

Share your park - limit your time so others can enjoy. Be mindful of others.

Face coverings are recommended.

Maintain social distance--Stay 6 feet away from other people. Wash your hands often.

If you do not feel well, stay home.

Friendly Reminder:

All City of Brownsville parks and trails and amenities are open.

The public is welcome to continue to enjoy time outdoors with activities such as: exercising, walking, jogging, hiking, biking, strolling, bird watching, dog walking, and more.

City of Brownsville Parks and facilities will reopen as per its adopted Reopening Plan and only when public health measure criteria are met.

Occupancy and age limits are posted at playgrounds, along with bilingual signage asking families to take safety precautions before visiting parks and or trails.

PRO TIP: Pack for an outing, make sure you have your essentials: bring own water bottle, sanitizer, wipes, etc.

Please continue to follow all health and safety guidelines. If you do not feel well, please stay home. For more information, please call (956) 546-HELP.

PARD Re-Opening Plan: In an effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19 and continue to deliver critical services to you, the City of Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department has created and established a Continuity Plan. Below is a roundup of measures that PARD may consider taking to ensure the continuity of operations as we respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. NOTE: Any measures in the most current local disaster declaration supersede any specifics outlined in this plan.