Janet Simmons from BREC joins the show to discuss the exciting developments underway with Imagine Your Parks 3 (IYP3), a long-term initiative aimed at transforming parks and recreation in East Baton Rouge Parish. Out of 54 planned tasks, six have already been completed, and work is actively underway on over 30—more than half the total—just within the past three months. Simmons emphasized the importance of a strong, collaborative team to balance day-to-day operations with long-term strategic planning.
A major innovation is BREC’s new Rapid Response Ticketing System, launched on September 8. This system allows park visitors to report issues directly via brec.org or the BREC Facebook page. Users can pinpoint their location, upload photos, and receive updates on the status of their report—streamlining communication and ensuring faster resolutions.
Simmons also highlighted internal improvements, including a new mission statement: “Enriching lives through parks, recreation, and nature.” This broad yet focused statement allows flexibility in programming and planning while keeping BREC’s core values front and center.
Partnerships are being restructured to ensure mutual benefit. For example, the Baton Rouge Disc Golf Association will manage the Highland Road Park disc golf course, and BREC is exploring turf field installations with Baton Rouge Soccer Club to address overuse at facilities like Independence Park.
Additional updates include plans to enhance Goldsby Field with turf and drainage improvements, and ongoing efforts to expand the zoo’s animal population from 500 to 2,000. Simmons also teased upcoming events like Brew at the Zoo on September 26.
Overall, BREC is undergoing a dynamic transformation, balancing innovation, community engagement, and operational excellence to better serve Baton Rouge residents.
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