New Weekly Segment Spotlights BREC’s Work
BREC has a new weekly segment on Talk 107.3 called The BREC Room. Interim Superintendent Janet Simmons and Interim CEO Maurice Velasquez joined Brian Haldane to explain what it is and why it matters.
Simmons noted that BREC is the second-largest park system in the country, behind Minneapolis. The agency owns more than 6,000 acres and 175 parks across East Baton Rouge Parish. With a system that large, Simmons and Velasquez want clearer priorities and better service. They are reshaping staff roles, tightening processes, and focusing on the parks that people use the most.
Flagship Parks, Pickleball, And Easy Local Info
A big change is the idea of “flagship parks.” These are high-traffic parks that now get longer hours, stronger programming, and higher standards for upkeep and amenities. Lovett Road Park in Central is one example, especially with its active pickleball and basketball crowd.
BREC also responds to the pickleball boom. New pickleball courts will be covered, not open-air, to give players relief from the heat.
To make it easier to find events, BREC now offers city-specific pages such as BREC.org/Central, BREC.org/Zachary, BREC.org/StGeorge, BREC.org/Baker, and BREC.org/BatonRouge. Each page shows a local calendar and park-by-park listings.
Imagine Your Parks 3 And Obsolete Land
Simmons and Velasquez walked through the Imagine Your Parks 3 strategic plan, a 10-year roadmap approved by voters. Current work includes master plans and upgrades at City-Brooks Community Park, Palomino Park, Greenwood Park, Pride Park, Perkins Road Park, and more. Residents can see project timelines and details at BREC.org/publications.
They also outlined a review of 25 to 30 “obsolete” properties, starting with Industrial Plex in St. George. BREC will appraise each site, decide whether to sell, repurpose, or return it, and post updates online so the public can track each step.
Scan the QR code or click here to tell BREC what you want at City-Brooks Community Park. Share what you like, what needs work, and what you want added. Your feedback helps shape the master plan.
Camps And A $500 Tax Credit For Volunteers
Looking ahead, BREC continues to offer holiday camps, Mardi Gras break camps, and summer camps, with summer registration starting in March.
Simmons closed with a perk worth knowing. Volunteers who give at least 30 hours to BREC can claim a $500 Louisiana state income tax credit. Residents can help at events, parks, the zoo, and more, while lowering their tax bill at the same time.