The City of Brownsville has been officially recognized as a Certified Scenic City – Silver Level by the Scenic City Certification Program. It’s an honor that celebrates the community’s commitment to maintaining high-quality scenic standards for public roadways, parks, and public spaces.
This distinguished certification aligns directly with the City’s BRIGHT Brownsville initiative, launched in the summer of 2025, which focuses on neighborhood clean-ups, roadway beautification, park enhancements, and community partnerships. The BRIGHT Brownsville program unites residents, local businesses, and public and private entities in a shared effort to keep Brownsville beautiful. The initiative also includes a full schedule of community clean-up events, and the City is inviting volunteers to join in these efforts.
“Earning this Silver-Level Scenic City designation is a tremendous achievement for our community,” said Mayor John Cowen, Jr., City of Brownsville. “It reflects the dedication of our City team and of our residents who continue to invest in making Brownsville a more visually appealing, welcoming, and vibrant City. Programs like BRIGHT Brownsville show what is possible when we work together to build pride in our neighborhoods and enhance the beauty of our public spaces.”
The Scenic City Certification Program, a project of Scenic Texas and its statewide partners, is the first in the nation to provide a comprehensive set of design and development standards for public spaces. It recognizes municipalities that integrate thoughtful planning, urban design, and beautification practices that strengthen both community image and economic vitality.
“This certification aligns very well with our BRIGHT Brownsville initiative,” said City Manager Helen Ramirez, City of Brownsville. “It reinforces our commitment to creating a more beautiful, sustainable, and livable City for everyone. Through strategic planning, community partnerships, and ongoing beautification efforts, we are building a Brownsville that residents can take pride in, one park, one roadway, and one neighborhood at a time.”
To achieve Scenic City certification, applicants are evaluated across more than 70 criteria, including sign regulations, landscaping, tree planting, litter control, street lighting, utility management, and park accessibility. Cities earn Recognized, Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum-level status based on their performance.
“Tree planting, native landscaping, and cleanup projects improve the look of our City while enhance quality of life,” said Hunter Lohse, City Forester. “Every tree we plant and every clean-up event we host contributes to better air quality, cooler neighborhoods, and a stronger sense of community pride. It’s incredibly rewarding to see residents getting involved and taking ownership of our shared spaces.”
Program partners include the Texas Municipal League, Urban Land Institute Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, American Planning Association Texas, Houston-Galveston Area Council, American Council of Engineering Companies Houston, Hill Country Alliance, Keep Texas Beautiful, Texas Downtown Association, Texas Economic Development Council, Texas Historical Commission, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Scenic Houston, and Scenic America.
Residents and organizations interested in volunteering for upcoming BRIGHT Brownsville clean-up events can visit www.brownsvilletx.gov/brightbrownsville or contact the City’s Parks and Recreation Department at (956) 542-2064 to learn more.
