City of Bryan Highlights 2026 Improvements Across Parks & Recreation System
Bryan residents and visitors can enjoy new and improved amenities at parks and recreation facilities throughout the city, thanks to a commitment to continued investment by the City Council and work by city staff.
By overseeing and improving safe, accessible and high-quality outdoor spaces for the community, the city is intentionally improving quality of life in Bryan.
“From installing new playgrounds and shade structures, to upgrading walking paths and bridges, we’ve made significant progress in improving Bryan’s parks this year,” Mayor Bobby Gutierrez said. “Our outdoor offerings are a vital part of our community’s quality of life, and we’re sure residents will enjoy these improvements.”
New Playgrounds & Shade Structures
This year, several Bryan parks received new playground equipment designed to provide age-appropriate recreation opportunities for children. Claude Scurry Park and Copperfield Park each received new playgrounds designed for children ages 5 to 12, and Ibarra Park received a new playground designed for children ages 2 to 5.
New shade structures were installed over the playground and swing set at Sue Haswell Park and the large playground at Tanglewood Park, plus the fitness station at Greenbrier Park. These additions improve safety on hot days and help protect the city's recreational assets from the elements for years to come.
Coming soon: two new shaded playgrounds are under construction at Villa West Park, one designed for children ages 2 to 5 and another designed for ages 5 to 12, replacing playgrounds that were well-used for about 25 years. The new playgrounds are expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Safety, Accessibility & Durability Improvements
The city completed several projects focused on improving safety, accessibility and durability throughout the park system.
At Austin’s Colony Park, staff replaced the decking on the park’s large pedestrian bridge. Staff also repaired railings on bridges along Turkey Creek Trail.
Williamson Park and Castle Heights Park received new park amenities, including tables, benches, trash cans and barbecue grills.
At Morris “Buzz” Hamilton Dog Park, existing decomposed granite walking paths in the large and common dog pens were replaced with concrete paths. The previous paths had a chronic history of erosion after heavy rain. The new concrete paths address the erosion concerns and provide a more durable and safer walking surface for park visitors and their dogs.
At Copperfield Park, the tennis court light poles were painted and the lights were upgraded to LED fixtures, improving the facility's appearance and energy-efficient lighting capabilities. At Villa West Park, lighting was upgraded and the covered basketball court was resurfaced.
In the Austin’s Colony subdivision, a new trail connection was added east of Thornberry Drive to Teller Drive, with assistance from Public Works and Development Services. The project included a pedestrian crosswalk to improve connectivity and safety for pedestrians.
Looking ahead, two new pedestrian bridges for Bonham Park are scheduled for delivery in January 2027.
Athletic Facility Improvements
Significant improvements have also been made at Bryan's major athletic facilities this year. At the Bryan Regional Athletic Complex, turf improvements were completed in the softball outfield areas to improve field drainage and safety while creating better conditions for turf growth and coverage.
Extensive renovations and facility improvements took place at Travis Major Field after the city assumed full management of the ballpark on Jan. 1, 2026. The almost $700,000 project included renovations to both dugouts; demolition of both party decks and reconstruction of a party deck on the third-base side; concrete repairs; electrical improvements; and power washing and painting of several structures, including the grandstand, grandstand awning, concession building and restroom building. Additional improvements included a new sound system, backstop netting, a moveable pitching mound, grandstand fans, backstop pads and new turf for the infield and bullpens.
Tree Plantings & Landscape Improvements Continue
Bryan's commitment to maintaining and expanding its urban forest continued this year. For the 37th consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation recognized the City of Bryan as a Tree City USA Community. The national recognition highlights the city's continued commitment to tree management and the benefits trees provide to the community's quality of life and local economy.
City staff planted 100 trees donated by the Bryan Noon Lions Club through a grant the club received from the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program. The trees were planted at several park locations, including Sue Haswell Park, Williamson Park, Siena Estates Park, Edgewater Park and Henderson Park.
Several landscape beds throughout the community received new landscaping materials and plants, including areas in Historic Downtown Bryan, several city office buildings, parks and butterfly waystations.
Travis Bryan Midtown Park Continues to Take Shape
Work continues at Travis Bryan Midtown Park, one of the city's major park development projects. Formerly a municipal golf course and lake, the 150 acres have been reimagined into a world-class recreation destination. Transforming the aging golf course was made possible through Wallace Phillips’ generous donations of The Phillips Event Center and The City Course.
The park's boardwalk and final sections of its 12-foot-wide multipurpose trail are expected to open this fall, completing an almost two-mile trail loop around the park.
Construction is underway on Midtown Legacy Park, a destination playground designed for all ages and abilities. The project is supported by a $2 million donation from The Darwood Foundation, a Doug and Kara French philanthropy.
The signature playground experience is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027. It will feature 119 play components, with more than 12,000 square feet of shade and spaces designed to encourage interaction between children and their parents or guardians. Accessibility is a key feature of the playground, with a variety of components designed to accommodate children who use wheelchairs or walkers, as well as parents and caregivers with strollers.
Get outdoors and experience the Bryan Parks and Recreation system! Find your next adventure using our Parks & Facilities Finder.