Southmost area public park gets uplift

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The Southmost area of Brownsville is one of the city’s oldest and most populated sectors, but one of the public parks found there has been long neglected.

Until now!

Called Gonzalez Park, a section of the recreation facility was recently renovated with money allocated by the city and the Brownsville Community Improvement Corp.

The project included renovating its restrooms and a pavilion at a cost of $450,000.

Helen Ramirez, the city manager, said the sum was $100,000 below budget.

The completion of the project was announced during a brief event held there on Friday, June 27.

“This is for all of you,” she said addressing of elementary school students, city representatives and Noble Texas Builders staff, “and for everybody else to enjoy.”

Rene Capistran

NTB handled the project that took about four weeks to complete at a cost of $160,000.

Rene Capistrano, the founder and CEO of the construction company, said he was proud of under taking the renovation project because of the park’s significance to him.

He said he grew up in the Southmost area and used the park as a child.

“I am proud of this project,” Capistrano said. “I know how important it is to have a place like this one.”

While addressing the crowd, he told the youngsters to take care of the park and to be vigilant of those who like to damage things.

His comment was in reference to a number of acts of vandalism and graffiti left behind and which police have been made aware of.

The most recent case of vandalism was reported this week.

Anyone with information about it can call Brownsville Crime Stoppers at 956-546-8377.

Capistran said it’s great to see a city like Brownsville with a wide range of purposes.

 “This type of investment is one of those purposes,” he said. ”This does not happen by accident. I like to thank our board of directors and our 107 team members.”

The park, located along a street that bears the same name and a couple of blocks south of Southmost Avenue, is one of the city’s 46 recreation parks.

Cori Peña, president and CEO with BCIC, said the project is not just about making a building but about making a better place for the community.

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