Breckinridge Park's Master Plan

Park History
Breckinridge Park, originally called "Northeast Park," was first developed in 1983.
In 1992, it was dedicated as Breckinridge Park, in honor of the first settlement in the Richardson area. (That first settlement, in the Richland College area, was named by settlers from Kentucky after then-Vice President John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky who served from 1857 to 1861 under President James Buchanan.)
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Designing the Park's Master Plan
City of Richardson officials asked more than 120 residents to envision the park of their dreams and the Master Plan for Breckinridge Park was born. Confirmed by the City Council, the Master Plan defines the development of the park's land over the next 20 years and beyond.

Features desired by City residents and incorporated into the Master Plan:
• Preservation of some of the natural areas of the park and protection of its wildlife.
• Continued development of the multi-use trail system throughout the park.
  (Including a looping trail through the park allowing for long walks and jogs.)
• Construction of a recreation center with swimming pools, a small nature center and an arboretum.
• Enhancement of the baseball/softball and soccer fields.
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Future Park Development
The park is 417 acres, the largest park in Richardson and is considered a regional park. The park's trail system is designed to serve as a regional trail spine and the park will feature a trailhead paralleling Rowlett Creek. "The Master Plan for Breckinridge Park gives us a grand vision for development of the park," said Richardson Director of Parks and Recreation, Michael Massey. "The process of creating the Master Plan involved many people from many areas and helped us develop a set of guiding principles for creating uses for the park." Development of the park has been scheduled in four phases.

The first phase involves completion of a four-diamond baseball/softball complex, trails and parking on the west side of the park. (Park road improvements and installation of additional restroom facilities are immediate goals. These projects will enhance the park facilities so that the park is fully serviceable even while the remaining projects are being developed and funded.) The projects will be funded from the $2.2 million set aside for Breckinridge Park in the 1997 bond program. City officials are also seeking grants to implement parts of the Master Plan and anticipate that additional funds will be sought in future bond elections.

If the Master Plan is fully implemented, by 2020 Breckinridge Park would include a recreation center with indoor/outdoor pools, a nature center and an arboretum, areas for camping, trails with scenic overlooks, a small amphitheater and an outdoor classroom as well as undeveloped natural areas and a preserved and enhanced cemetery.
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Michael Massey
City of Richardson
Directory of Parks and Recreation
michael.massey@cor.gov
(972) 744-4302

Source: Richardson Today @ www.cor.net

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