M2L Associates is proud to be working on a new park jewel in Washington County that promises to enhance Brenham as a place to live, work and visit.
Located almost midway between Houston and Austin, Brenham already has much to boast about: Known for its small-town appeal, it’s home to Blue Bell Creameries, Washington-on-the-Brazos (the birthplace of Texas), and some of the best bluebonnet and wildflower viewing in Texas. And soon, Brenham Family Park promises to make life in this charming small town 75 miles northwest of Houston even more inviting when it becomes the city’s first new park in 26 years.
Historic donation
Planning for the long-anticipated park goes back to 2013 when Blue Bell Creameries founder and CEO Ed Kruse and his wife Evelyn donated approximately 100 acres of parkland to the city of Brenham. Situated on the south side of town near US 290 and TX 36, the land was considered ripe for future growth and development, and recent transportation and roadway improvements helped give traction to planning efforts.
A winding road of gathering community feedback, funding decisions, and engineering and utility developments has honed the current plan for the park, organized in phases. Funding of the $4.1 million project has been helped along with a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant of $750,000, matching funds of $750,000 from the Brenham Community Development Corp., and local sales and municipal taxes.
M2L Associates’ work on the project began in 2021 when the firm partnered with Quiddity Engineering on a master plan study, with special focus to flood control and stormwater strategies, park and rec accessibility, and overall sustainability. M2L’s expertise dovetailed nicely with the city’s requirements, with many of the team’s recommendations coming to fruition, particularly in the all-abilities, ADA-compliant playground and play areas.
M2L associate principal and Austin office director Kenny Jones is leading M2L’s landscape design team in implementing the next phase of development. “We’re proud to bring our extensive park expertise and especially our unique playground design and nature-play skills to bear as the new Brenham Family Park becomes reality,” Jones said. “The park promises to be a community centerpiece for outdoor activity and connection as Brenham develops south, easily accessible and attractive for all who live, work and visit the area.”
Amenities abound
Plans in the program document for the new Brenham Family Park include an ADA-accessible, all-abilities playground, a 10-ft-wide concrete trails that wind through the park for one mile, a 3-acre pond with kayak and canoe access, a picnic pavilion, a pedestrian bridge and restrooms, a bluebonnet field, Texas landscaping throughout the park, as well as parking, lighting, signage and wayfinding, and irrigation throughout the property.
Stormwater management has been an important goal from the beginning, Jones said. The larger property will have three retention ponds designed for a 100-year flood, expandable to hold stormwater and protect surrounding roadways and nearby retail and residential development.
“Today our best parks and green spaces provide not only trails, sports fields and playground spaces for all ages and abilities,” Jones said. “But especially along the Gulf Coast, we know it’s also critical for cities to use public green spaces for multiple, intersecting benefits — for flood control, water and air quality improvement, and even biodiversity and habitat creation. Brenham Family Park will serve the community in all these ways and more.”