2023 BREC Community Needs Assessment Survey

Park Types:

• Community Parks – are complex parks that serve a large geographic area that range in size from a desired 40 acre minimum to well over 100 acres. Focused on meeting a wide variety of community-based recreation needs these Community Parks are designed to engage patrons for an entire day with a several diverse activities and amenities. Community Parks have been developed with a high level of service and standard of care. Community Park Attendants can be found at these locations to greet patrons and maintain the grounds.
• Neighborhood Parks – are the basic unit of the BREC park system and serve the day-to-day social, recreational, and open space needs of neighborhoods throughout EBRP. Focus is on the informal (non-programmed) activity, passive and active recreation and community cohesion. The size of a neighborhood park can range in size from a tenth of an acre to dozens of acres.
• Special Use Facilities – are parks or facilities within parks devoted to one unique recreational or cultural opportunity. These facilities draw citizens from throughout the parish and surrounding region. The acreage varies from a few acres to over 100 acres based on the needs and focus of each park. Examples – Baton Rouge Zoo, Bluebonnet Swamp, Liberty Lagoon, Hartley-Vey Sports Park at Oak Villa, Memorial Stadium, etc.
• Conservation Areas – are large planned land areas dedicated to permanently protecting natural resources because of their natural and ecological values. Conservation Areas may have reduced amenities and restricted public access in order to maintain or enhance their ecological value but can also be used to provide environmentally and culturally compatible spiritual, scientific, recreational and visitor opportunities.
• Nature Reserves – are tracts of land protected from all but light human use to preserve biodiversity, geomorphic features and the ecosystem services which benefit the community such as, stormwater retention, carbon sequestration and more. These can include conservation management research areas which are used to study and practice restoration and survey techniques but typically will not be open to the public recreationally as their goal is only to serve the public with its ecosystem services. It can include flood zones designed to hold water and most will provide some level of natural habitat, buffers, or wildlife corridors. The size of these parks will vary depending on location and the main ecosystem services they provide. Amenities include protection of resources and preserving land and ecosystem functions is the highest priority of these areas so access and amenities will be limited, and development prohibited. Amenities will only include access for research and management purposes.
• Undeveloped – Park Land that has not yet been developed. If natural resources of the land include environmental sensitivity, or contain significant areas of ecological value, land will be evaluated by BREC’s Natural Resource team and the Land Planning and Development Decision Making Framework which is used to determine if it should be considered a Conservation Area, Nature Reserve; or whether some or all of the land could be developed for recreational use as a park or other recreation facility. If the land is of no recreational, economic, or special environmental value and meets other criteria for obsolete land, it may be declared obsolete by the Commission and advertised for sale

Trail Types:

• Greenway – are trails or roads along a strip of undeveloped land, often near an urban area, set aside for recreational use or environmental protection. They are 10’ – 16’ accessible multi-use (bicycle/pedestrian) trails that have minimal interaction with vehicular roadways and connect people to parks, businesses, workplaces, and essential amenities. Typical amenities include benches, waste receptacles, water fountains, exercise stations, trailheads, and bike repair stations. Greenways may or may not be located on BREC property but the Greenway itself is considered public right of way.
• Park Trails – are located in a park that is not part of the BREC Greenway Trail system. These paths are various widths typically ranging from 4’ - 12' wide and facilitate various recreational activities that are typical in parks. These paths typically provide a smooth, accessible route and most feature benches, receptacles, and drinking fountains and are used for connectivity within and throughout a park as well as to and from parking lots. The following list is not a comprehensive list of all Park Trails, but those classified as “Walking Loops.” Walking Loops are continuous routes that circulate and are typically used for exercise. The noted laps per mile are approximate and intended to provide users a general guide in tracking distances.
• Nature Trail – are more developed hiking trails within conservation areas and parks which allow a wide variety of users to experience nature one of one. These trails are more developed than primitive hiking trails and are often wider with even surfaces. Boardwalks and bridges provide ease of access over wet areas or streams and trails are unpaved with varied surfaces. Nature Trails often provide interpretive signage providing insight about the park's natural or cultural history. These trails tend to be located in parks with amenities such as bathrooms, drinking fountains, and shelter.
• Primitive Hiking Trail – are trails that allow hikers to experience nature within conservation areas or forested land in Community and Neighborhood Parks. These trails are dirt surface, often uneven footing, relatively narrow and primitively developed with minimal directional signage. Trails may require small creek or ditch crossings and will be muddy in wet conditions. Bridges often provided at larger crossings. Check specific park page for information on restrooms, running water and park rules prior to visiting as often these amenities are not provided. Bikes are prohibited on some primitive hiking trails. Wear closed toed shoes and bring water, sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Blueway Trail – also known as water trails, are routes on navigable waterways such as rivers, creeks, canals, and coastlines for recreational use. Launches are located at Blueway trailheads located in both urban and natural environments. BREC Blueway Launches allow access to waterways for non-motorized paddle craft. Launch sites may or may not be located on BREC property but the Blueway itself is considered public right of way. As public right of ways, blueways may cross multiple political jurisdictions and rules and regulations for allowable water craft and use may vary.