Working on Wellness Environments
Working on Wellness Environments (WOW-E) is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension multidisciplinary community development program

Data Sources (Secondary Data) 

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By Emily Gunderson

Evidence-based planning leads to research-based solutions. In today’s data-driven world, making informed decisions is crucial for both individuals and organizations, like local, state, and federal government organizations. Fortunately, there are multiple resources that can assist with data-gathering that support sound decisions based on research. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the resources available for accessing data that can help with decision-making.  

County & State Open Data Portals 

County and state open data portals are great resources for accessing data about local communities. These portals provide access to a wide range of information, including demographic data, transportation data, economic data, and more. Texas A&M University and the University of Texas libraries have published guides on where to access spatial data. These entities provide tips on navigating the sources and importing large datasets into the GIS applications. It may be valuable to look into multiple sources and various local, state, and federal level agencies. The Texas A&M University guide and the University of Texas guide both provide information on where to find data on GIS applications.  

Texas A&M University Guide: https://tamu.libguides.com/gisdata 
University of Texas Guide: https://guides.lib.utexas.edu/sources-of-geospatial-data/texas-gis-data  

OnTheMap 

OnTheMap is a web-based mapping and reporting application from the US Census Bureau. The application shows where workers are employed and where they live. It also provides companion reports on age, earnings, industry distributions, race, ethnicity, educational attainment, and sex. OnTheMap can be used to measure the inflow/outflow of workers to your city, as well as, answer questions like:  

  • Where do young workers live who are employed in a city? 
  • Where are the workplace destinations for workers living in a particular city? 
  • How do specific employment areas compare in terms of worker origin patterns, worker ages, monthly earnings, and industry-sector employment? How are these areas changing over time and among different demographics? 
  • What percentage of high-wage workers live and work within a city, versus those who commute to a nearby city? 
  • How many workers that earn more than $3,333 a month live along a transit corridor and work downtown or in some other area along the same corridor? 
  • How many potential customers/employees live or work near a candidate site location? 

Getting started with OnTheMap: https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/data-research/Documents/rental-housing/getting-started-with-onthemap.pdf 
OnTheMap: https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/  

Social Explorer 

Social Explorer is a paid resource that offers a seven-day free trial. The software derives baseline data from the US Census and is used to visualize and interact with data, create maps, charts, reports, and downloads. The site has hundreds of thousands of built-in data indicators related to demography, economy, health, politics, environment, crime, and more. Your own data can also be added to the platform. Social Explorer can be used to turn location data into smarter decisions and better outcomes, analyze and understand the socioeconomic and demographic development of your city, and measure long-term impacts through scenario planning. 

Social Explorer: https://www.socialexplorer.com/  

ArcGIS Business Analyst 

If you already have an Esri account, then look into the ArcGIS Business Analyst product for easy integration. This product helps you make smarter decisions for market planning, site selection, and customer segmentation by combining demographic, business, lifestyle, spending, and census data with map-based analytics. The software helps you identify underperforming markets, pinpoint the right growth sites, find where your target customers live, and share the analysis with infographic reports and dynamic presentations. Pricing depends on your organization’s existing license with Esri. 

Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool 

The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool hosts an interactive digital map. The map highlights disadvantaged census tracts that are overburdened and underserved. Federally Recognized Tribes, including Alaska Native Villages, are also considered disadvantaged communities. This tool is a step in implementing President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative and ensuring that the benefits of Federal programs are reaching communities that are overburdened by pollution and historic underinvestment. The program will identify the percentile the census tract falls within as it relates to climate change, energy, healthy, housing, legacy pollution, transportation, water and wastewater, and workforce development. 

The Trust for Public Land Parkserve  

The platform reports the percentage of residents within a 10-minute walk of a park and breaks it down by demographics. TPL has a mapping application that maps where existing parks are located, where new parks could be built, and gain insight on park equity. 

The Trust for Public Land Parkserve: https://www.tpl.org/parkserve 

Mapping Inequality Project 

The Mapping Inequality Project is another resource that can provide valuable data for decision-making. This project is a collaborative research project that examines the history of redlining in American cities. The project provides access to a wealth of historical data on race, ethnicity, income, and housing that can be used to inform decisions about community development, housing policy, and economic development. 

Mapping Inequality Project: https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/ 

MAPPING ACCESS 

City Access Map 

The City Access Map is an open-source app for global-scale urban accessibility insights. It was developed to provide public administrations, metropolitan authorities, municipalities, NGOs, private organizations, and residents, with the necessary tools to understand which cities are working to provide their residents with services that are accessible within a 15-minute walk vs those that need to invest in public infrastructure to improve access to services for their residents. As of early 2023, it covers (nearly) any urban area with more than 100,000 residents, worldwide, and computes walking accessibility down to the city block level, answering both macro-level and micro-level questions. 

Other resources for locating datasets  

Project Sidewalk: https://scistarter.org/project-sidewalk  
Urban Data Catalog: https://datacatalog.urban.org/search/type/dataset  
Urban & Regional Planning: https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282887&p=1885029 

Use Federal Transportation Funds for Parks & Trails

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Using Federal Transportation Funds to Create and Enhance Parks and Trails
Access Tools & Join the Discussion
Federal transportation funding can be a crucial tool in building new parks and expanding city trail systems that improve active lifestyles in our communities, reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, create local economic development opportunities, and offer linkages to green space and recreation.

With the influx of federal transportation dollars through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and FY 2023 budget package, City Parks Alliance is highlighting and educating our members on the tremendous number of transportation programs that could be beneficial to their park and trail projects.

These programs include planning, capital projects, and technical assistance that aid with the creation of linear parks, trails, park access, and recreational facilities. Several of these programs have a focus on improving public safety, climate resilience, and equitable access to green space and recreation. 
 
New Tool for Transportation Resources

City Parks Alliance recently released a brand-new addition to our Equitable Park Funding Hub designed to promote and educate park planners and advocates about potential transportation funds. By utilizing the Transportation Funding section of the Hub, park planners can find valuable resources to help them plan their city’s next park or trail project. Explore Transportation Funds  


 

Member-Exclusive Learning Opportunites
Join the Peer Discussion March 21

Discover how to access federal transportation funds to create and enhance parks and trails by joining City Parks Alliance’s peer-to-peer discussion, “Using Federal Transportation Funds to Create and Enhance Parks and Trails,” on Tuesday, March 21 from 2-3:30 pm ET. The conversation will equip park planners and advocates with the tools to access transportation funding for their park and trail projects. Register now to join.

  

Watch Webinar Recording with Experts

City Parks Alliance recently hosted a webinar, “Accessing Transportation Funding for Park and Trail Projects,” which is now available for viewing. The recording covers valuable transportation resources to assist park planners and advocates in their park projects. The webinar includes an overview from Department of Transportation officials of the current federal transportation programs and on-the-ground advice from two guest speakers on how they accessed transportation funds for their local projects.   It’s time to build green trail systems that increase access to nature and expand low-carbon transportation options equitably throughout communities. Check out our latest column in Next City, “Federal Transportation Funds Transform Local Communities,” by City Parks Alliance Executive Director Catherine Nagel. 

The new wave of federal transportation funding can have a dramatic impact on local projects. With City Parks Alliance’s resources, park planners and advocates can start planning their next project today!
Join the City Parks Alliance Network of Members

City Parks Alliance empowers members to address the urgent issues facing cities by providing relevant, strategic, and diverse programming. 
• Exclusive, deep-dive webinars
• Customized, interactive workshops
• ParkXChange Resource Library
• Discounts for Greater & Greener
• Urban park job bank
• First-pick registration for Urban Park Study Tours

 Join Now Renew

Apply for the 2023 NRPA Scholarships and Fellowships

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Each year, NRPA awards up-and-coming young professionals and students for their dedication to the park and recreation profession. The scholarships and fellowships provide recipients with the opportunity to attend and explore the operation of the park and recreation field at the NRPA Annual Conference.

Young Professional Fellowships

The fellowship provides selected young professionals with the opportunity to explore the operation of NRPA and its governing bodies at the NRPA Annual Conference. Participants will meet with mentors, be recognized at the awards ceremony and attend various conference sessions and meetings. Learn more and apply.

Student Scholarships

The Student Scholarship recognizes an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student for community service or contributions to the park and recreation field. The scholarship provides selected students with the opportunity to explore the operation of the field at the NRPA Annual Conference. Participants will meet with mentors, be recognized at the awards ceremony and attend various conference sessions and meetings. Learn more and apply.

Diversity Scholarships

The NRPA Diversity Scholarship supports individuals from historically underrepresented groups in the park and recreation community, as well as those who demonstrate outstanding contributions to the diverse communities they serve. Participants will meet with mentors, be recognized at the awards ceremony and attend various conference sessions and meetings. Learn more and apply.

The deadline to apply for NRPA Awards is March 24, 2023.

Parks

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by Emily Gunderson & Ricky Gutierrez

Kelso Park

Ricky Gutierrez is the Assistant Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Eagle Pass. Within the City of Eagle Pass there are 25 park-like facilities. These include one Maverick County park (73.5 acres); three community / regional parks (60.5 acres); eight neighborhood parks (26.3 acres); six special use facilities (149.6 acres); one linear park (8.3 acres); and six Colonias Parks (24.1 acres). This interview was conducted by Emily Gunderson, a Program Manager on the Working on Wellness Environments team. The following quotes from Mr. Gutierrez reflect his perspective on how park support healthy communities. The photos were provided by the City of Eagle Pass. The transcript has been edited for clarity and succinctness.

Family enjoying the accessible swing at Guedea Park

I’m trying to to meet our community needs when it comes to recreation and quality of life programs that involve families, and youth which is a big focus of ours.

Parks tree planting event

We want to start meeting the needs of our community such as enhancing tree canopy in our parks, updating landscaping, play features, playscapes, and putting more focus on beautiful areas to get more people out there.

Playground shade structure in Guedea Park

We strive to create spaces that lend itself to active lifestyles. In Eagle Pass, we always joke that it’s hot like 8 months out of the year. So, we’ve put a focus on making sure all playscapes have shade structures and trying to have a shade program out there. Making sure that we have proper tree canopies, trying to work on more pavilions, and just to provide places that want to support health. We want people out in parks, walking and using them, and using the green space. But we know all people aren’t going to do it in the heat if there isn’t the proper infrastructure in place.

Teen enjoying the Skate Park in Eagle Pass

Our parks system, the role we play is twofold. The recreation is providing opportunities for community members. The parks are providing spaces that lend themselves to have active lifestyles, either having kids go out and play on the playground, or having somebody going to a basketball court or volleyball court and shoot around or just utilizing a walking trail to walk.

Eagle Pass Parks Staff
Active adults participating in an Eagle Pass park event
Community members enjoying the pool at the Eagle Pass Aquatic Center
Eagle Pass Sports complex main gate
Adults playing baseball at the Eagle Pass Sports Complex
Park maintenance staff raking sand
Parks staff enjoying the swing set
Community member participating in a cup stacking activity at an Eagle Pass park event