Abstract: A controlled release parking brake system is disclosed that comprises a parking brake lever (either foot or hand operated), a dampening system, at least one cable and a connection to a conventional braking system operated by the cable. The disclosed assembly can be employed to control the release of a parking brake on a wide range of vehicles such as passenger cars, all terrain vehicles, lawn equipment and tractors, trucks (e.g., Class 5-7), utility cars, among other applications wherein it is desirable to have controlled release of mechanical energy or force.