Bellmead officially cut the ribbon on a reimagined Brame Park this week, unveiling a fully accessible four-acre green space that now includes ADA-compliant swing sets, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, and upgraded restrooms. The ceremony marks the completion of a project years in the making for the McLennan County city, turning a longtime neighborhood park into a modern recreation hub designed for residents of all abilities.
According to KWTX, Bellmead held the ribbon-cutting event this week to formally reopen the park. The bulk of the work was made possible by a $150,000 small community matching grant the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission awarded the city in January 2024, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The grant required Bellmead to match the funds dollar for dollar, bringing the total project budget to $300,000.
What Changed at Brame Park
The state agency's grant supported upgrades including shade, lighting, and additional play equipment.
Restrooms turned out to be a major focus of the overhaul. A July 2025 accessibility audit found that Brame Park's existing restrooms failed to meet Texas Accessibility Standards, according to meeting records from the City of Bellmead. That finding prompted full upgrades to lavatories, grab bars, doors, and partitions to bring the facilities into compliance. Municipal staff also opted for electric hand dryers over paper towels during the renovation specifically to avoid plumbing blockages, per the same city records.
A Park With Deep Local Roots
Brame Park sits at the corner of Oakgrove Street and Hogan Lane, and its history stretches back more than six decades. The land was donated to the citizens of Bellmead on December 23, 1963, by Mrs. O. N. Brame, according to the city. The park's splash pad, which still operates seasonally from late May through September 30, is accompanied by shaded picnic pavilions and a basketball court.
Because the renovation was funded in part by a state grant, the park's future is also legally protected. Under Texas Parks and Wildlife Department local park grant regulations, municipal properties receiving state grant funds must remain public parkland in perpetuity and stay continuously open to the public. Those state grants operate on a competitive 50/50 reimbursement match basis, meaning cities like Bellmead have to put up matching local dollars to qualify.
Part of a Bigger Civic Push
Brame Park is among Bellmead's parks, alongside Lions Park and Devorsky Park. Brame Park's role extends beyond recreation, too: it served as the central municipal kickoff location for Bellmead's National Night Out this month before residents fanned out to neighborhood block parties across five local areas.
Statewide, the 2024 Texas Parks and Wildlife grant cycle distributed more than $20.6 million to 40 community parks, according to the Waco Tribune-Herald, placing Bellmead's project within a much larger wave of local park investment across Texas.
