The City of Brownsville faced one of the highest obesity and chronic disease rates in the country, and traditional recreation programs weren’t enough to shift the trend. Brownsville Parks & Recreation Department (PARD) recognized a unique opportunity: parks could be more than places to play—they could be partners in public health. Through a bold collaboration with UTHealth School of Public Health and the Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta! initiative, PARD reimagined its role, transitioning from a “recreation services” provider to a community health partner. The impact has been measurable: park visits for health activities rose 35%, distribution of fresh produce at markets increased 20%, and 90% of participants reported improved nutrition knowledge
They’ll discuss how this shift involved training all staff in health promotion practices, embedding a Health Coordinator into the team, redesigning park spaces to include teaching kitchens, wellness stations, and gardens, and a portfolio of innovative programs. This transformation didn’t raise PARD’s base budget. Instead, it leveraged grants, shared staff training, and in-kind UTHealth support—proving that collaborative funding models deliver “more impact per dollar.”
The Brownsville model will show attendees how to co-design programs with the community, align leadership across sectors, and measure progress in real time to adapt quickly. Looking ahead, Brownsville is sharing its approach through a Toolkit for Municipal Adoption, regional peer learning convenings, and plans to expand the model beyond parks to libraries, schools, and community centers.
