Page 4 - BREC Summer 2023 Playbook

A Word from BREC
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BREC offices can be reached from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 225-272-9200.
BREC Commission
KENNETH POINTER, CHAIRMAN SANDRA DAVIS, VICE-CHAIR
DONNA COLLINS LEWIS, TREASURER ROSSIE WASHINGTON, JR.
COLLIS TEMPLE, JR. JASON HUGHES TRINA HALL DWAYNE ROGERS NATHAN RUST
BREC Executive Staff
COREY K. WILSON, BREC SUPERINTENDENT
REED RICHARD, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SYSTEM PLANNING
BRANDON SMITH, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF RECREATION PROGRAMS + FACILITIES
ANDREA ROBERTS, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ANEATRA BOYKIN, CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER TRACY FOUNTAIN, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
LETTER FROM SUPERINTENDENT COREY WILSON
Dear BREC families,
The BREC team is hard at work putting the finishing touches on plans to make the summer of 2023 one to remember. From our award-winning summer camps to free swimming lessons, paddling programs, woods walks and nature hikes, athletics clinics and even movies at Liberty Lagoon Water Park,
something fun will happen in BREC parks every day.
Camp BREC registration is set for March 4, so mark your calendars now as many sessions fill up within the first few hours. This guide will help you build the perfect summer for your camper with camps offered in every part of the parish for easy drop-off and pick-up as well as a new bus stop option. We offer camps designed for nearly every interest such as animals, outdoor exploration, science, sports, theatre, art, history, astronomy and much more. As always, BREC is offering a robust scholarship program to make certain every child can have a safe, structured summer experience regardless of income or ability. We also have camps for teens and programs to train our next generation of summer counselors.
This guide also includes the schedule for Liberty Lagoon Water Park, BREC’s splash pads and swimming pools. Programs and events include swimming lessons, special days that allow local first responders, seniors and children and adults with special needs to enjoy exclusive time in the water park. You’ll also find a brand-new movie series which will offer extended evening hours in the water park and of course, the popular season-ending Pool Pawty for dog owners and their furry friends.
This is a pivotal year for BREC as many transformational construction projects are making substantial progress. You will be invited to celebrate new exhibits at the Zoo, a
transformed J.S. Clark Golf Course, a new, elevated recreation center and swimming pool at Howell Community Park, a new boat launch at Manchac Park and much more. Designs and construction will also begin as Airline Highway is turned into BREC’s 13th Community Park, Bluebonnet Swamp and Perkins Road Community Parks receive new master plans through community input, construction on a trail to connect Scotlandville Parkway to Downtown will begin, the Lakes project will continue, and safe rooms to house first responders and double as state-of-the-art recreation centers will be built in the Memorial Stadium complex and Airline Community Park. These are just a few of the large-scale projects underway or in planning and as always, you can learn more by going to brec.org.
We invite you to work with us this year as BREC begins the lengthy process to create a new Imagine Your Parks strategic plan. Please keep an eye out for announcements as we hold public meetings and commission surveys across the parish to learn what you want to see next in your park system as we continue to work with you to create a modern park system that not only helps make our community healthier, but improves the environment, provides flood protection, offers safe spaces for bicyclists, runners and walkers, attracts visitors and makes our community a better place to live, work and play.
It is important that we also look back and recognize the progress that has been made since the first Imagine Your Parks plan was approved by the community in 2004, so look for a new web page that will show you how, together, we turned an aging park system into a gold medal champion in 18-years.
Thank you for making our parks shine brighter,
Corey K. Wilson, BREC Superintendent
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