HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistory of Parks & Recreation
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION’S
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
November 16, 2007
The City of College Station was incorporated in 1938 and the first City Council made provisions for the
creation of the city Parks Board in May, 1939. Although there was no official city park, the Parks
Board had the authority to receive grants of money and donations of labor and materials, as well as
manage parks and public grounds for recreational and beautification purposes. In 1947 the Council
established the first city park, Dexter Park (later renamed Brison Park), with purchases of land which
surrounded and included the drained College Lake Park.
In 1953 a five-man Recreation Board, which would operate with a budget funded by an increase in
taxes, was appointed and a recreation fund account was created that would receive appropriations
each year. The Board's duties included administering the parks and developing a recreational program
with major emphasis on youth activities. Within a short period of time, the board sponsored programs
in swimming, tennis, golf, Little League baseball, and arranged city picnics. Officials realized that as
the city expanded so must the recreation facilities. In 1971 Parks and Recreation became a city
department, although the Parks Superintendent and his assistant were employed on a part-time basis.
The rest of the recreation staff worked without compensation. The new department relied heavily on
university facilities. In order to ensure future recreational areas, the council included mandatory park
land dedications in the Subdivision Ordinance. According to the ordinance, developers were required
to donate a portion of their land for park sites. Acreage was based on the number of units they
constructed or they could give the city the cash equivalent. This principle of mandatory park land
dedication was later challenged through the court system and was successfully upheld by a Texas
Supreme Court decision in 1985.
Since the early 1950's, residents have expressed an interest in a city-wide recreational program and in
acquiring municipal park sites. City leaders have made significant progress towards that goal. The
expansion in city parks and recreation facilities during the late 1970's and early 80's was phenomenal.
Not only did the amount of park acreage double, but officials also sought to accommodate a variety of
activities. The development of the Parks and Recreation Department reflected this growth. City staff,
the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and City Council worked together to implement these
projects. In 1975, the City Council amended the Park Land Dedication Ordinance to require
developers to donate more acreage for recreation areas than was originally specified by the ordinance.
One of the Parks and Recreation Department's most successful achievements was the development of
College Station Central Park in August 1982. The Department not only decided to use Central Park as
a model for the future, but also chose to establish their office building and maintenance facility amid
the scenic setting.
In 1984, the Parks and Recreation Department created "Christmas in the Park". Every year city
employees install lights throughout Central Park, creating a brilliant show for all to see and this
attraction will continue to be enjoyed by many for years to come.
Steve Beachy '69
Director of Parks & Recreation
City of College Station, Texas