LG Looks to Better Embrace the River

The La Grange City Council selected the firm Freese and Nichols to conduct a parks, open spaces and trails master plan.

The plan will identify and prioritize parks and trails amenities for future development. The City issued a request for qualifications from firms to develop the plan with a submission deadline of Nov. 22, 2024. Five firms responded. A selection committee comprised of Recreation Director Janet Rangel, Library Director Allison Hollek, Main Street Manager Caleb Parks, Parks Superintendent Don Jakobeit and City Manager Jack Thompson narrowed the field to three firms.

The Committee interviewed representatives from the three firms. Following the interviews, the committee selected Freese and Nichols.

At the City Council meeting Monday night, Jan. 27, Thompson said the committee selected Freese and Nichols based on their deep resume and proximity to La Grange, among other considerations.

“What we would really like to see is a ranking of priorities,” Thompson said. “As with any organization, we all have limited resources. So for us, its important to understand what’s most important for residents, so that when we do go out for grants and set up funding mechanisms to pay for parks, that we go in the order of what’s most sought after.”

Thompson said the City also wants to establish a trails plan, something the City has never considered before, and focus more on the river.

“We want to figure out ways to connect our city better,” he said. “Throughout the interview process, we’ve talked about ways to embrace the (Colorado) River. We feel like the river is a big asset to us. It could be more of an economic generator for us. There’s a lot of recreational tourism that could be had.”

Caitlyn Admire, a project manager with Freeze and Nichols, said the plan will be developed in three phases. First, they will conduct an inventory of existing facilities. They’ll conduct walk-throughs of the city parks and preliminary surveys. Next, the firm will conduct an assessment to determine what amenities residents want in the parks. Finally, they’ll recommend, implement and prioritize parks and trail amenities for the City to consider development. Admire said her firm will gather community input throughout each phase of the plan development project.

Council voted unanimously to accept Freese and Nichols. The City will now negotiate an agreement with the firm to develop the plan.