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.
