REGIONAL PARK

Community parks, second only to outstanding schools, are considered one of the main criterions contributing to an area's "quality of life." Quality of life plays a significant role in the decision-making process of where individuals, families, and companies choose to live and work. This Regional Park will positively impact the quality of life in the Coastal Bend region, resulting in a revenue increase for the regional economy. The Regional Park will provide South Texas residents a new environment for outside positive family activity, as well as provide businesses and industries additional reasons to relocate or locate to the Coastal Bend region.

Description of the Park

The Forested Park will consist of a complex built over three to five years that would include special gardens such as tropical and Asian garden, museums for heritage of the area – petroleum or military, family fun expositions such as a permanent climbing wall, and an amphitheater for entertainment and performances in the park. The forested area would provide refuge for birds, butterflies, and area wildlife not currently available. The Foundation will work closely with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and College Station and the Bays and Estuaries Programs and other environmental projects to provide enhancement, but not duplicate, what is available or being planned by other corporations.

The Regional Park will serve the entire South Texas region, providing a forested and tropical park setting with streams, lakes, nature trails, jogging trails, biking trails, picnic areas, camping areas, gardens, and areas for wildlife and botanical research. The Regional Park will provide families and children an opportunity to enjoy themselves in a tree-filled and environmentally-friendly setting. The Park will protect the environment and add to the ecosystem, benefiting both the surrounding region’s enterprise, as well as the area’s eco-tourism industry.

The Regional Park will pattern itself after similar successful forested parks, such as Balboa Park in San Diego, California; Central Park in New York City, New York; and Memorial Park in Houston, Texas. The Regional Park will provide vast opportunities for cultural and scientific endeavors including a variety of botanical gardens, statuaries, conservatories, and year-round activities including museums, historical recreation, and entertainment venues.