Riverside Park Renovation Project

City of Brownwood Moves Forward With Riverside Park Phase II Improvements

The Brownwood City Council has authorized staff to move forward with bidding for Riverside Park Phase II, a TPWD grant-supported project to expand inclusive playgrounds, trails, lighting, and gathering spaces along the Pecan Bayou. These improvements advance our Parks Master Plan and strengthen quality of life for Brownwood residents and visitors.

Phase Il improvements proposed to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department prioritize recreation and amenities. The grant includes proposed improvements of native landscaping, additional site amenities, a playground with inclusive elements, paved trail improvements, river view picnic facilities, signage, a rain collection system for the pavilion, restroom improvements, sand volleyball court improvements, public art, and additional lighting. Additional project scope elements focused on recreation amenities will be added.

Riverside Park Phase II Overall Project

Riverside Park Overlook Pavillion Renders

  1. 1 Riverside Park Overlook Pavillion Render Collage featuring a pavillion overlooking the river
  2. 2 Riverside Park Overlook Pavillion Render Collage featuring a pavillion overlooking the river 2

Riverside Park Playscape Expansion

  1. 1 Playscape Expansion Render showing additions to current playscape with new playground and shades
  2. 2 Playscape Expansion Render showing additions to current playscape with new playground and shades

Proposed Phase II Improvements

  • 8’ WIDE WALKING PATH EXTENSION WITH SOLAR LIGHTING
  • DISC GOLF ENTRANCE SIGNAGE, NEW EQUIPMENT, BASKET & TEES 
  • ALL INCLUSIVE PLAYSCAPE EXPANSION WITH TURF & SHADE COVERINGS
  • PECAN BAYOU OVERLOOK PAVILIONS WITH WATER FEATURE
  • PECAN BAYOU NATURE TRAIL SIGN AND LANDSCAPING
  • SMALL PICNIC PAVILION ALONG BAYOU WITH WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM 
  • NATIVE LANDSCAPING
  • ADA & SIDEWALK ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS
  • BOAT / TRAILER PARKING BY RAMP
  • EMERGENCY CALL STATIONS
  • SAND VOLLEYBALL IMPROVEMENTS  
  • ADDITIONAL SITE FURNISHINGS

City of Brownwood Commemorates Riverside Park on June 7, 2025

The City of Brownwood was honored to celebrate the grand reopening of Riverside Park, a testament to the collaborative spirit between the City and our dedicated community. The event, highlighted by the Heartland Rod Run, showcased the achievements possible through a collective effort.

  1. 1 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
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  12. 12 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
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  14. 14 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
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  16. 16 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  17. 17 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  18. 18 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  19. 19 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  20. 20 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  21. 21 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  22. 22 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  23. 23 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  24. 24 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  25. 25 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  26. 26 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  27. 27 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
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  29. 29 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  30. 30 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  31. 31 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  32. 32 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run
  33. 33 Riverside Park Commemoration with Heartland Rod Run

Phase I Complete as of May 2, 2025

City of Brownwood Announces Reopening of Riverside Park on May 2, 2025

The City of Brownwood announces the reopening of Riverside Park on Friday, May 2, 2025, following the completion of significant major infrastructure upgrades under Phase I of a two-phase park improvement project.

Riverside Park, located along the scenic banks of the Pecan Bayou, is one of Brownwood’s most cherished recreational assets. Spanning over 80 acres, the park is a popular destination for outdoor activities, disc golf, kayaking, family gatherings, and community events such as car shows, cookoffs, and festivals. The recent improvements are designed to support both the day-to-day use of the park and events held that define Riverside Park’s role in the community.

The improvements at Riverside Park were initiated and identified as part of the adopted 2023 Parks Master Plan, developed through extensive community engagement including surveys and public meetings. Both phases were designed with the park’s existing use, public feedback, and anticipated future needs in mind.

Read full release


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Riverside park improvements will be visible as two phases of construction. Improvements for both phases were identified in the 2023 adopted Parks Master Plan, with significant community engagement through surveys, and public meetings. Improvements identified took existing usage and events held at Riverside Park into consideration, as well as future events that may be held in the park. 

Phase I Improvements: $3,113,912

Primary Funding Source: Federal American Rescue Plan Allocation 

Phase I improvements prioritize infrastructure and include the demolition of existing roadways, reconstruction of new asphalt roadways, 180+ designated parking spaces, new road ribbon curbing, fencing, electrical, lighting improvements, landscaping, a new modern pavilion, expanded patio of pavilion with string lighting, food truck hookups, entrance signage, and sidewalk improvements. 

Phase II Improvements: $1,500,000

Primary Funding Source: Grant Funding through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 

Phase II improvements proposed to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department prioritize recreation and amenities. The grant includes proposed improvements of native landscaping, additional site amenities, a playground with inclusive elements, paved trail improvements, river view picnic facilities, signage, a rain collection system for the pavilion, restroom improvements, sand volleyball court improvements, public art, and additional lighting. Additional project scope elements focused on recreation amenities will be added. 

CLOSURE INFORMATION: 

Riverside Park Access Map

Closure Updates: Riverside Park will be closed to the public beginning Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 to allow for construction crews to safely begin work on a major renovation project in the park. Please do not access Riverside Park during the construction closure. Signage will be visible at the front of the park entrance to inform vehicular and pedestrian traffic of the closure. The front portion of the disc golf course located in the pecan orchard remains open, with parking available at the corner of Market Street and Riverside Drive. Construction completion is expected by Spring 2025.  Please note, Riverside Park RV is privately owned and remain open during improvements. 

The City reminds residents of the opportunity to explore other locations within the City’s parks system, during this closure. Coggin Park has a new half-mile concrete walking trail, Camp Bowie walking trail at the sports complex offers a nearly 3-mile loop, as well as options at Cecil Holman Park and Camp Bowie Memorial Park. For a full list of parks and amenities at each location view here