BREC leaders used Monday’s “BREC Room” segment on Talk 107.3 to explain the agency’s millage renewal, park maintenance priorities, and upcoming community events.
Interim CEO Janet Simmons and Maurice Velasquez said BREC’s informational campaign has focused on one key point: the millage is a renewal, not a new tax. They said the money supports maintenance and operations across the parish park system.
Simmons pointed to BREC’s wide reach. The agency serves more than 6,200 children in summer camps and works with more than 7,000 active volunteers. She said BREC offers programs for children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. Those programs include sports, swimming, art, theater, extreme sports, tennis, pickleball, and more.
Velasquez said BREC has spent months reviewing and prioritizing projects tied to Imagine Your Parks 3. He said the agency found a backlog when the current leadership team arrived. Since then, BREC has worked to organize projects, meet with mayors and community leaders, and prepare a clearer project list for the next administration.
BREC also discussed public safety. Leaders said safety includes more than law enforcement. It includes clean sidewalks, working gates, lifeguards, mowed grass, maintained facilities, and strong coordination with police and sheriff’s deputies.
Dr. Ray Harrell Lawson, BREC’s director of park operations, said crews focus daily on “turf, trash, and toilets.” He said recent heavy rain created challenges, including flooding at the zoo and Frenchtown Conservation Area, but the zoo remains open.
BREC also announced a City-Brooks Park community meeting for July 14 at BREC headquarters. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the meeting starts at 5:30 p.m.
International Yoga Day will also bring a free event to Independence Park on June 27 from 8 a.m. to noon, with yoga, wellness activities, vendors, live music, and food trucks.