New Braunfels’ Fischer Park selected as a finalist in park improvement competition

Fischer Park in New Braunfels has been selected as one of six finalists in the 2021 Niagara Perk Your Park Contest from Niagara Bottling, according to a Sept. 1 city press release.

The contest is being held in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association and will provide funding for parks throughout the country to create community gardens, update playgrounds and more.

Niagara previously funded four projects this year, according to the press release, and will select two more parks to receive $90,000 for upgrades and improvements.

Should Fischer Park be awarded funding, the city plans to implement improvements to create direct access to the 30 acres of restored Blackland Prairie and connect into the park’s “Enchanted Forest,” a wooded area that has not been formally converted into a public space.

“Through Niagara’s Perk Your Park Contest, with enough votes from residents, we can get the funding to create about 1,400 linear-feet of trails through the restored Blackland Prairie of Fischer Park,” said Stacey Dicke, New Braunfels Parks and Recreation director, in a statement. “We will also be able to provide trails, signage, a nature-play area in the ‘Enchanted Forest,’ as well as be able to complete restoration work to balance the urban forest, increase tree canopy, and improve wildlife habitat.”

Between Sept. 1-29, individuals can vote for their favorite projects online once per day.