The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) awarded $20 million in match grants for park renovation and restoration across the state of Texas. The City of Brownfield was awarded one of those grants. Three different types of match grants were awarded to 40 cities and the match grants includes “Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are reserved for local units of government with populations of more than 500,000.)Three communities received this grant. The second type is “Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants fund park projects in municipalities under 500,000.” TPWC awarded these grants for projects in 21 communities. The third type of match grant awarded is the “Small Community Recreation Grants serve towns of less than 20,000.” 16 communities were awarded this matching grant.
As some know, the City of Brownfield for the past few years has been working to expand and upgrade the Gillham-Howell Lake Park (AKA The Duck Pond). The city had already acquired the property west of the ponds and added a playground and restroom, which are now ADA-accessible. Also in July 2023, the city sent out a survey, with help from South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG), for the citizens for input on the renovation of the Gillham-Howell Park. There was a around 150 responses with a lot of positive feedback.
The city of Brownfield in Terry County received a non-urban outdoor grant for $750,000 for the Gillham-Howell Park Renovation project. According to City Manager Jeff Davis, there will be some in-kind matching (non-monetary contributions) from the city and monetary matching. The upgrade and renovation are expected to cost $1.5 million, which also includes the in-kind contributions. “The city will be able to use our equipment and employees for the in-kind match,” said Davis.
The project will include a concrete walking trail, new interpretive signage, two fishing piers, site work, two large gazebos, several benches around the walking trail, several picnic tables with benches as well, plus an ADA-assessable playground that will have “wheelchair swings”. Also included in the construction will be utilities, native landscaping, new pond aeration, and other site amenities. (look at the image below) Davis said, “The City Council and staff are extremely excited to see the Texas Parks and Wildlife grant awarded to the City of Brownfield and all the hard work come to fruition.”
