Letter from the COB PARD Director

Change, Transform, Emerge

Dear You, Yes you, our most favorite reader!

As we begin 2022 the theme of this year's Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) Annual Conference is prevalent in my mind; Change, Transform, and Emerge. This February I will transition from the TRAPS Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Branch President to Past President, having served in 2021 to represent Brownsville and TR Branch members throughout the state as we recovered through the pandemic and help them serve their clients, individuals with disabilities and disorders, whether they be veterans, youth, elderly working in hospitals or at a recreation center. As I think of this theme to be so accurate to what so many of us are experiencing, I think to another prevalent question that was posed during the pandemic, how will we come out the other side?

While we continue to mourn those lost, the Brownville Beautification Committee and several founders: the City of Brownsville, Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, and other partners in development are working on a special remembrance project called A Forest Remembers, a planted tree for each person lost to COVID, we are humble and grateful to assist in this project and have it featured in our park system.

We resumed services in 2021 and our department experienced new growth, we had A LOT of people transition out into new roles in their lives bringing in new people, we have focused on leadership at all levels of the organization so that we can better serve you. We have partnered with some amazing organizations and people to bring access to play, honoring our history and culture, and putting a twist on literacy; the top few that come to mind are the Monte Bella Park KABOOM! Playground Build with Tech Enabled Play, Washington Park Lone Star Legacy Park Designation, and our Storybook Trail along the Southmost Nature Trail.

At Monte Belle we were able to partner with a national non-profit KABOOM! and a secret funder who wanted to install a playground in Brownsville.

Through partnership with United Way of Southern Cameron County, Strive Together, and RGV Focus we were able to take the dream playgrounds submitted by children here in Brownsville to the beautiful structure that is there today. This playground is enabled with coding capabilities so that kids can code their play experience, it is the first in Texas and third in the nation!

On March 10, 2021, the City of Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department was one of eight Texas parks to receive a treasured historical designation and is proud to boast that we are the first city in the valley to have received a Lone Star Legacy Park designation for Dean Porter Park in 2020 but now we are the first city to

have received a Lone Star Legacy Park designation for Dean Porter Park in 2020 but now we are the first city to have two parks with this prestigious designation adding our beloved Washington Park to the list. TRAPS developed the Lone Star Legacy Park program to celebrate parks that holds special prominence in the local community and the state of Texas. One of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a Texas public park, is a Lone Star Legacy Park designation as the park has endured the test of time and played an important role in the development of community throughout its history.

Along the Southmost Nature Trail, PARD and Library partnered up to create a storybook trail so families can encourage a health and wellness lifestyle and increase literacy by reading the book the “Big Dance” while walking. Studies show that when you engage 5 cognitive areas of your brain it increases physical health and brain health by stimulating neuropathways in your brain helping to prevent cognitive decline. “Big Dance” is a story about Pippa who watches her friends express themselves through their special dance moves and she wonders if she will ever find the dance in herself. With encouragement she discovers that it’s all about taking the first step. As we are at the beginning of a new year, you may have already broken your New Year’s resolution but that doesn’t mean you can’t start again or start something new. Take your first step by participating in what PARD has to offer, get involved, volunteer, donate, have a talent and time? Become an independent contractor and teach something. We invite you to read through this guide, share it with your family, friends, and co-workers as you may read something that may improve their quality of life and of course follow us on social media for all the latest updates! Lastly, your health and safety remain our top priority, we have researched and instituted best practices from the National Recreation and Park Association, City Parks Alliance, KABOOM! as well as the CDC, State and Federal guidelines, and we consult with our Health Department on our BPARD Reopening Guidelines as we continue to respond to COVID-19 and its variants keep up to date by visiting www.btxcares.com.

On behalf of the BPARD Team, we thank you, we truly do consider it a privilege to serve you, to host your celebrations and special moments that make life worth living, it is why we do what we do.

Your servant leaders and PARD family,

Damaris McGlone CPRP, CTRS COB Parks and Recreation Director