Lower Rio Grande Valley Active Transportation and

Tourism Plan

Dr. Rose Gowen Commissioner At Large “B”

Ramiro Gonzalez

Assistant Planning Director ramiro.gonzalez@cob.us 956.548.6150Eva Lizette Garcia Planner II

eva.garcia@cob.us956.548.6103

COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE Participating Local Governments:1. Brownsville2. Harlingen3. South Padre Island4. Port Isabel5. San Benito6. Los Fresnos7. Rio Hondo8. Rancho Viejo9. Laguna Vista10. Combes

Regional Stakeholders:• UT School of Public Health• National Park Service• Fish & Wildlife Service• Texas Parks & Wildlife• Texas Department of

Transportation• Brownsville MPO• Harlingen-San Benito MPO• Economic Development

Councils• Convention & Visitors

Bureaus

The Active Plan proposes:

• Over 227 miles of multi-use trails

• United States Bicycle Route 55 (on-street bike lanes) of over 120 miles

• Over 78 miles of paddling trails

ALIGNMENT WITH IMAGINE BROWNSVILLE

Vision AlignmentsProsperousEfficientFunctioningSafeHealthyLivableVibrantCollaborativeEquitableSustainable

Page 140 of the Imagine Brownsville Comprehensive Plan

Strategic Goal AlignmentsEconomicInfrastructureSocialCivicEnvironment

UNITED BROWNSVILLE MISSION ALIGNMENTMISSION STATEMENT: To provide the organizational framework for the sustainable collaboration of the public and private sector to develop strategies and best management practices, partner and share ideas and resources, build mutual capacities and cooperation in moving our community forward toward its shared vision.

The Active Transportation and Active Tourism Plan is a framework that aligns perfectly with the United Brownsville mission statement. By nature it does not live in just one sector, it cannot be funded by one sector, and it will involve constant partnership, capacity building and cooperation.

SUMMARYEconomic plan

“The tourism and hospitality cluster must coordinate its strategies with other clusters to offer customized tourism packages that fit the needs of the following markets: ecotourism/birding, event tourism, conventional tourism, historic tourism, medical tourism” – page 257

Overall, the Active Plan will promote and encourage small business development throughout the county.

Transportation plan “Create a safe environment for bicycling and walking” – objectives, page 275

Open Space plan“Provide more parks (green space) and open space/recreation opportunities; build a healthier

community (obesity, diabetes, disease rates)” – social goals, page 425“There are five main categories of trail types recommended for Brownsville … 1. Nature Trail… 2.

Connector Trail… 3. Equestrian Trail… 4. On-Street Bikeway… 5. Regional Trail…” – trails and connectivity, pages 428-430