City-Brooks Park + Lakes Vision Plan

Project Overview

01 - Study of the University Lakes System Governance and Operation and Maintenance Plan
The Governance and O+M Plan will establish a recommended clear framework for the
stewardship of the 360-acre University Lakes system. Drawing upon research on existing
conditions, peer governance models, and projected operation and maintenance needs, Sasaki
will facilitate conversations toward a preferred governance structure and financial roadmap
that ensures the sustainable future of the park.

02 - Wampold Concept Design
The concept design for Milford Wampold Memorial Park will expand on the 2021
concept design and July 2025 proposed dredge placement for Wampold Beach, with
the goal of developing a shovel-ready concept design that aligns with the current
dredging conditions.

03 - City-Brooks Community Park Master Plan
BREC is working on a master plan that will define a long-term vision for City-Brooks
Community Park, and will encompass ongoing programmatic uses such as extended
cultural amenities, golf improvements, circulation connections, and other
recreational assets. Based on in-depth site analysis & public engagement, the master
plan will further refine key challenges and considerations in the effort to develop a
cohesive, dynamic park for East Baton Rouge Parish.

Project Leadership

Special Committee Meetings

The PDFs below include materials presented at public meetings of the City-Brooks Park Master Plan and Lakes Vision Special Committee, held for information and discussion only.

Frequently Asked Questions

View FAQs
  1. What is the scope of the project and why is this happening now? 
    1. The City-Brooks Park & Lakes Vision Plan is a three-pronged planning effort to establish a long-term, comprehensive vision for City-Brooks Park and study of the University Lakes system. The three planning efforts include: ● City-Brooks Park Master Plan, defining a long-term vision for park uses, circulation, recreation, and cultural destinations. ● Study of University Lakes System Governance and Operations & Maintenance (O+M) Plan, establishing a recommended framework for stewardship, funding, and long-term management. ● Milford Wampold Memorial Park Concept Design, advancing a shovel-ready design aligned with current dredging conditions. 
    2. With the ongoing University Lakes Project and growing interest in expanding cultural amenities at City-Brooks Park, public attention and investment in this area are increasing. At the same time, many conversations and initiatives have been happening separately. This planning effort responds to the need for a unified vision with a clear path to implementation, bringing related efforts together under one coordinated framework. The project builds on prior studies, ongoing investments, and community conversations about the future of City-Brooks Park and the University Lakes system. By coordinating planning across sites and initiatives, the project aims to align near-term projects with a shared long-term vision, address operational and governance challenges, and ensure that future investments deliver lasting substantial public benefit.
  2. Isn't City Park Historic and therefore nothing can change? 
    1. Yes, components of the park are historic including the golf course but that does not mean things cannot change. Right now the golf course is registered with the National Parks Service's National Register of Historic Places (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/6498d6e8-09ca-4dba-9a42-47207d3657fb) under criteria 'A'. This celebrates several things on site including the presence of golf as a program, the history of the designer, the club house, the structure of trees, and the pump house. However, over the course of time the golf course has changed in configuration and as such the designation does not protect the exact configuration of the holes. 
  3.  What is the project timeline?
    1. Planning and design work is happening over the course of 2026 with anticipated final recommendations being brought to the BREC commission in late summer or fall of 2026. Physical improvements will take place over the coming years in phases as money is secured. Like all long-term master plans the vision for City-Brooks Park and the University Lakes are intended to take place over many years, if not longer. 
  4. What is the Vision for City Park?
    1. The goal of this effort is focused on making City-Brooks Park a world class open space that serves all of Baton Rouge. The master plan focuses on four overarching guiding principles:
      1. Celebrate the Natural and Water Story
      2. Connect the Park, the Lakes and the Surrounding Neighborhoods
      3. Create an Inclusive Park for the City and its Neighborhood
      4. Connect Baton Rouge's Heritage with Future Generations
  5. What has the Community been saying and who has been engaged?
    1. There has been a lot of excitement and concern around the project. We have heard very passionate folks that are very concerned about the future of the golf course and want to ensure that the golf course remains an important part of the park. Additionally, there is a very passionate group of folks that have been pushing to see the golf course removed and that more of the park be open to more of the public. However, there is also a voice within the community the simply wants to see investment in the park, regardless of what happens to the golf course. 
  6. What is Governance and why is a Conservancy being considered?
    1. The long-term governance planning work that is being done is to set up the legal structure for how these public assets are to be maintained and programmed over time. Right now across the study area, BREC, LSU, and the City-Parish own pieces of the land and there various maintenance agreements in place but it is confusing and not always followed. Therefore this plan seeks to establish a clear set of roles and responsibilities to ensure that the investments that are made best serve the community. The current recommendation is the use of a non-profit Conservancy model which has been used to great success around the country to manage public spaces. This entity would be overseen by a board that has representations from BREC, the City-Parish, and LSU and would be responsible for the day to day operations of the space including things like trash collection, landscape maintenance, and park programming activities like farmers markets and other events. This would happen through some sort of long-term lease. 
  7. Does this mean that the park would no longer be public?
    1. No. City-Brooks Park and the University Lakes are and will always remain public park space. Due to past funding and the underlying land ownership these assets cannot be developed into anything other than public park space. There could be commercial activities such as restaurants, cafes, Kayak rental facilities but there cannot be things like housing or office buildings built. 
  8. What is going to happen to the golf course?
    1. What is currently proposed is that the golf course remains as an important program but that the course be altered from a 2,300 yard nine-hole course to a 1,900 yard nine-hole course. Additionally, par-4 holes will be maintained while expansion of practice facilities, pre and post game amenities, and potential uses such as mini-golf. 

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