The San Angelo City Council unanimously approved awarding a downtown river parks master plan contract to SWA Group, a consultant selected after an 11‑firm solicitation and finalist presentations. Parks and Recreation Director Carl White said the master plan will look at connectivity among Civic League Park, Santa Fe Park, Sunken Garden Park, Kids Kingdom, Bart DeWitt Park and portions of Rio Concho Park and will incorporate the Concho River Legacy Trail sculpture project.

White said the city received direction last May to coordinate private fundraising for the sculpture trail and later asked staff to expand the scope to a broader downtown park master plan. He said the project will include three public engagement meetings, a steering committee that includes council members and representatives from the Santa Fe Park Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Public Art Commission, the Development Corporation and community stakeholders, and an expected duration of about 8–9 months.

The contract amount presented to council was $198,600, funded from the Development Corporation, Tiers public‑projects fund and the general capital project fund balance. Council members asked how the city would notify residents and emphasized more active outreach than social media posts alone; staff said stakeholder groups already engaged will help spread the word.

Tim Newton, curator of the Concho River Legacy Trail, waived public comment. Council approved the award 7‑0.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract negotiations and begin the public engagement schedule; council indicated support for earlier and broader outreach to residents.