Dear Mayor Edwards,

Baton Rouge stands at a rare and powerful moment. With BREC’s City Park/Lakes Vision Master Plan, we have a unique opportunity to invest in a grand vision that will shape how future generations across East Baton Rouge Parish play, gather, recharge, and connect. Positioned at the gates of LSU and alongside the Lakes, City-Brooks Community Park is uniquely suited to become a true civic jewel and a gathering place for all.

Brooks-City Park is one of the largest and most valuable public green spaces in one of the most densely populated areas of our parish. Its central location, tree canopy, rolling hills, nearby university and lakefront access make it a one-of-a-kind space in Baton Rouge. 

Great cities have great parks. These spaces are essential infrastructure. The best parks are intentionally designed to bring people together across age, background, and interest. They offer a mix of cultural, recreational, and natural amenities—museums, playgrounds, open green space, accessible pathways, waterways, gardens, and cafés—that strengthen public health, foster connection, bolster culture, and drive economic vitality.

Brooks-City Park already has many of these elements: the University Lakes, Baton Rouge Gallery, Knock Knock Children’s Museum, and a variety of sports facilities. We have the opportunity to connect and expand these existing pieces into a truly world-class park.

Across the country, young people and working families are choosing where to live based not only on jobs and affordability, but on quality of life—walkable environments, access to nature, and vibrant public spaces. Baton Rouge has struggled to compete with peer cities in attracting and retaining these residents, but we have the rare opportunity to change that.

Reimagining City Park means creating a welcoming and accessible waterfront space that brings people together. A place to gather, connect, and build community. These “third spaces” are not luxuries; they are essential to a thriving city.

As we look to the future, we must also be thoughtful stewards of our public land and resources. Baton Rouge already maintains multiple public golf courses. Consolidating golf offerings at existing facilities, such as Webb Park, would preserve access to the sport while allowing this centrally located space to evolve in a way that serves a broader cross-section of our community. At the same time, it creates an opportunity to better focus investments and to improve maintenance across our park system.

Public land should serve the public. As improvements to the lakes and surrounding areas continue, increased use and activity should be embraced as a sign of a healthy, connected city. A vibrant City Park will benefit not just those who live nearby, but all of East Baton Rouge Parish.

We urge you to lead with a bold vision for City Park—one that reflects the needs of today’s residents and the promise of tomorrow’s Baton Rouge.