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

Register for Urban and Municipal Parks 2025 – 2026 Workshops

by

Texas A&M AgriLife’s Urban and Municipal Parks (UMP) and Working on Wellness Environments (WOW-E) annual workshop registration is open! You asked so this year we’ll tour across Texas to provide education opportunities as well as time to ideate projects to be completed in your community. The workshops are open to practitioners, volunteers, park or trail board members, friends groups, and community leaders. Check out the WOW-E (Working on Wellness Environments) technical assistance program to see if you are in a community eligible for partial registration support.

Learn more and register

From Dream to Green: Best Practices in Modern Day Park Planning

8:30am – 12:30pm

Learn how to compile or update a Community Park System or Site Plan. We will review common components of plans, identify what is most meaningful for your organization, and provide time to brainstorm how to begin implementing a planning process for your park system or specific sites within your community.

Dates & Locations
  • December 9 – Denton, TX
  • January 6 – Rosenberg, TX
  • January 27 – Corpus Christi, TX
  • February 25 – Dallas, TX
  • March 3 – San Angelo, TX
  • March 17 – Nacogdoches, TX
  • March 24 – Canyon, TX
  • April 8 – El Paso, TX
  • April 28 – Wimberley, TX

Strengthening Your Prospects: Grant Writing 101 for Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces

1:30pm – 4:30pm

Attendees will learn basic grant writing concepts, including how to look for grants, best practices in writing grants, and key terms such as logic models, milestones, etc. We’ll practice writing common grant proposal sections and review best practices for support materials.

Dates & Locations
  • December 9 – Denton, TX
  • January 6 – Rosenberg, TX
  • January 27 – Corpus Christi, TX
  • February 25 – Dallas, TX
  • March 3 – San Angelo, TX
  • March 17 – Nacogdoches, TX
  • March 24 – Canyon, TX
  • April 8 – El Paso, TX
  • April 28 – Wimberley, TX

Enhancing Park Safety with CPTED Principles

8:30am – 12:30pm

Attendees will learn Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) basic principles, evaluate a site, review CPTED in park plans and policies, and devise feasible, local action steps.

Dates & Locations
  • December 10 – Denton, TX
  • January 7 – Rosenberg, TX
  • January 28 – Corpus Christi, TX
  • February 26 – Dallas, TX
  • March 4 – San Angelo, TX
  • March 18 – Nacogdoches, TX
  • March 25 – Canyon, TX
  • April 9 – El Paso, TX
  • April 29 – Wimberley, TX

Building from Ground up: Creating your Park Maintenance Plan

1:30pm – 4:30pm

This course is designed to motivate you to start or update a maintenance/operations plan. We’ll review the value of maintenance plans, discuss key components of plans, identify what is meaningful for your organization, provide time to assess and review various maintenance plans, and allow you time to brainstorm how to get started on a plan for your organization.

Dates & Locations
  • December 10 – Denton, TX
  • January 7 – Rosenberg, TX
  • January 28 – Corpus Christi, TX
  • February 26 – Dallas, TX
  • March 4 – San Angelo, TX
  • March 18 – Nacogdoches, TX
  • March 25 – Canyon, TX
  • April 9 – El Paso, TX
  • April 29 – Wimberley, TX
Full Urban and Municipal Parks 2025 – 2026 Workshop Schedule
  • December 9 – Denton, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: From Dream to Green: Best Practices in Modern Day Park Planning
  • December 9 – Denton, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Strengthening Your Prospects: Grant Writing 101 for Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces
  • December 10 – Denton, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: Enhancing Park Safety with CPTED Principles
  • December 10 – Denton, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Building from Ground up: Creating your Park Maintenance Plan
  • January 6 – Rosenberg, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: From Dream to Green: Best Practices in Modern Day Park Planning
  • January 6 – Rosenberg, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Strengthening Your Prospects: Grant Writing 101 for Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces
  • January 7 – Rosenberg, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: Enhancing Park Safety with CPTED Principles
  • January 7 – Rosenberg, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Building from Ground up: Creating your Park Maintenance Plan
  • January 27 – Corpus Christi, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: From Dream to Green: Best Practices in Modern Day Park Planning
  • January 27 – Corpus Christi, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Strengthening Your Prospects: Grant Writing 101 for Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces
  • January 28 – Corpus Christi, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: Enhancing Park Safety with CPTED Principles
  • January 28 – Corpus Christi, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Building from Ground up: Creating your Park Maintenance Plan
  • February 25 – Dallas, TX 8:30am -12:30pm: From Dream to Green: Best Practices in Modern Day Park Planning
  • February 25 – Dallas, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Strengthening Your Prospects: Grant Writing 101 for Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces
  • February 26 – Dallas, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: Enhancing Park Safety with CPTED Principles
  • February 26 – Dallas, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Building from Ground up: Creating your Park Maintenance Plan
  • March 3 – San Angelo, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: From Dream to Green: Best Practices in Modern Day Park Planning
  • March 3 – San Angelo, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Strengthening Your Prospects: Grant Writing 101 for Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces
  • March 4 – San Angelo, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: Enhancing Park Safety with CPTED Principles
  • March 4 – San Angelo, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Building from Ground up: Creating your Park Maintenance Plan
  • March 17 – Nacogdoches, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: From Dream to Green: Best Practices in Modern Day Park Planning
  • March 17 – Nacogdoches, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Strengthening Your Prospects: Grant Writing 101 for Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces
  • March 18 – Nacogdoches, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: Enhancing Park Safety with CPTED Principles
  • March 18 – Nacogdoches, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm Building from Ground up: Creating your Park Maintenance Plan
  • March 24 – Canyon, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: From Dream to Green: Best Practices in Modern Day Park Planning
  • March 24 – Canyon, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm Strengthening Your Prospects: Grant Writing 101 for Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces
  • March 25 – Canyon, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: Enhancing Park Safety with CPTED Principles
  • March 25 – Canyon, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Building from Ground up: Creating your Park Maintenance Plan
  • April 8 – El Paso, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: From Dream to Green: Best Practices in Modern Day Park Planning
  • April 8 – El Paso, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Strengthening Your Prospects: Grant Writing 101 for Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces
  • April 9 – El Paso, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: Enhancing Park Safety with CPTED Principles
  • April 9 – El Paso, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Building from Ground up: Creating your Park Maintenance Plan
  • April 28 – Wimberley, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: From Dream to Green: Best Practices in Modern Day Park Planning
  • April 28 – Wimberley, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Strengthening Your Prospects: Grant Writing 101 for Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces
  • April 29 – Wimberley, TX 8:30am – 12:30pm: Enhancing Park Safety with CPTED Principles
  • April 29 – Wimberley, TX 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Building from Ground up: Creating your Park Maintenance Plan
Learn more and register

Four Keys to a Successful StoryWalk™

by

By: Anna Stehling

A StoryWalk™ is a fun and creative way to combine literacy, physical activity, and family time by placing the pages of a children’s book along a walking route in your community. Whether you are trying to promote reading, encourage movement and physical activity, or activate public spaces, such as a park or downtown area, a well-executed StoryWalk™ can do all three. 

If you are considering bringing a StoryWalk™ to your community, there are a few essential pieces to think about that can help ensure your project is meaningful, engaging, and impactful. Here are four key ingredients for success: 

1. Partner with passionate community champions 
A strong StoryWalk™ program starts with strong partnerships. Reach out to local individuals and organizations who are excited about literacy, family time, and physical activity. You’ll want people who not only care deeply about the mission but are also involved in their community and ready to pitch in. Their insight and energy will be invaluable as you plan, promote, and maintain your StoryWalk™. 

2. Choose your location with purpose 
While all StoryWalks™ promote reading and movement, your choice in the installation location can help in various ways. For example, if you want to bring new life to an underutilized public space, your StoryWalk™ can act as a tool to encourage visitors. If your goal is solely to encourage visibility and awareness for the program, you might choose a highly trafficked space that already draws crowds. Let your goals guide your location—it makes a big difference. 

3. Use communication methods that work for your community 
Getting the word out is half the battle. The right communication method depends on your audience. In some communities, social media is a great tool to build buzz and spread the word. In other communities, some rural  for example, where internet access may be limited, simple tools like flyers at local grocery stores, churches, and schools can be more effective. The key is to test, learn, and adapt. Finding the right way to reach people often takes a few tries, but it is worth it.  

4. Involve your community at every step 
The more your community feels involved, the more successful (and supported) your StoryWalk™ will be. Collect feedback from users— this can be done using a variety of methods, such as evaluation forms, intercept surveys, or focus groups . You can also let community members get involved in decision-making, for example, letting them vote on future book selections or encourage volunteers to help with installation and upkeep. When people feel ownership, they’re more likely to engage, protect, and promote the program. 

At its core, a successful StoryWalk™ is about more than just books and signage — it’s about the experience being provided to people. Thoughtful planning, community input, and consistent communication all work together to create a program that will last. Keep these four keys in mind if you’re looking to create a StoryWalk™ program that best serves your community.

Utilizing Communications to Increase Park Awareness

by

By: Valerie Jauregui and Kelsey Coats

There are many reasons people might not use their local parks and recreation amenities. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Urban and Municipal Parks program (UMP), some reasons cited by residents for nonuse are time, age/age appropriateness, proximity/connectivity, utilizing other resources, lack of knowledge, and usability (Walker et al.,2022). As practitioners, we cannot necessarily address some of these reasons (i.e., time), or they require additional time to address (i.e., proximity/connectivity). However, lack of knowledge is one barrier that can be reasonably addressed in the short term. The Working on Wellness Environments (WOW-E) and WOW-E communities have sought communication strategies to address the lack of knowledge of parks and public spaces for being active.

‘How do you Park’ communication campaign – Vernon, Texas

The City of Vernon Community Development department, Vernon Main Street and Tourism, and other partners identified a lack of knowledge of public parks, outdoor spaces, and ways to be physically active in the community. Together, they applied for the 2024 WOW-E Community Challenge to receive technical assistance to develop, plan, and evaluate a communications campaign to promote their local parks and physical activity amenities. 

With assistance from the WOW-E team, the local Vernon group attended WOW-E cohort sessions to define and analyze their audience, assess communication strategies to best fit their audience, complete an amenity inventory of all of the amenities available at their parks and public spaces, conducted community engagement to inform their graphics and messaging for the campaign, and planned their communication campaign and evaluation methods. 

The group kickstarted their campaign in May. Their billboard is currently running, and they have placed concrete clings promoting their parks around town. The group has also started posting on their social media profiles and will engage with their local community through messages, shares, and hashtags. The local team will continue to evaluate and monitor their campaign to gather feedback and responses. To learn more about these efforts, visit the City of Vernon Facebook page and the Vernon Mainstreet and Tourism Facebook page.

Concrete Cling (ground sticker) at local park
Concrete cling at everyday destination to promote campaign

WOW-E’s 2023 Active People Healthy Nation pilot awareness campaign

WOW-E collaborated with three communities in South Texas to pilot test a communication campaign to increase park and public space awareness for people to be active. The campaign was part of the CDC’s Active People, Healthy Nation effort to get 27 million more Americans active by 2027. Listening sessions found that an existing shared value among the audience was time with family and friends, which helped guide the campaign. Focus groups helped ensure that communication materials, messages, and imagery were relevant to the community. The focus groups also increased awareness themselves, as one participant said, “I did not know there were this many parks.”

WOW-E’s APHN awareness campaign ran for approximately eight weeks. The communication campaign consisted of billboards, social media posts, banners, ground stickers, bookmarks, amenity inventories, and maps of the communities’ parks and places to be active.  The campaign website included the maps and amenity inventories. Billboards included a short URL to the campaign website, social media posts included links to the campaign website, and ground stickers and bookmarks included QR codes to the campaign website. Social media posts, billboards, bookmarks, and banners were offered in English and Spanish. Different versions of the communication products ran in different communities. To read more about this effort, visit our blog! Interested in becoming a WOW-E community? Click here to see if your community is eligible.

Resources:

Walker, J.R., Lee, J., Gunderson, E., & Coats, K. (2022, September 20 – 22). If you build it will they come? the nonuse phenomenon. [Poster presentation]. 2022 National Parks and Recreations Association Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ, United States. https://agrilife.org/urbanparks/files/2024/12/Urban-and-Municipal-Parks-2022-NRPA-Poster.pdf 

USDOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Notice of Funding is Open

by

USDOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) notice of funding opportunity is open. RAISE funds surface transportation projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. Eligible applicants are states, territories, a unit of local government, a public agency, and tribal governments. 84% of current RAISE grants are bicycle, pedestrian, or transit projects. If a recipient was involved in an Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment (ATIIP) project that was not funded, they may be able to apply for the same project under RAISE. Eligible projects include capital projects and planning projects. Deadline: January 30, 2025. Here are successful applications submitted by previous awardees: https://localinfrastructure.org/resources/winning-applications/raise/ 

TxDOT’s 2025 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) Program Call for Projects Opens

by

TxDOT officially opens its 2025 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) Call for Projects for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and planning. The TA program provides funding to plan for and construct a variety of alternative transportation projects that improve safety and mobility for non-motorized travelers and mitigate congestion by providing safe alternatives to motor vehicle transport. 

Through TxDOT’s 2025 TA Call for Projects, the department will select projects for recommendation to the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) for FY 2027-FY 2029 federal appropriations consistent with anticipated funding levels associated with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and subsequent funding bills totaling approximately $250 million. Projects located in all areas of the state, regardless of population size, may be submitted under this call.

This Call for Projects features a two-step application process. The Preliminary Application (Step 1) provides high-level proposed project information to determine eligibility and funding opportunities. Following successful completion of Step 1, a Detailed Application (Step 2) provides more comprehensive project information. This two-step approach is intended to enhance the quality of project applications and to foster communication between prospective project sponsors and TxDOT District staff. Both steps must be completed in order for a project to be considered for funding under this program call.

TxDOT’s 2025 TA Program Guide and Preliminary Application (Step 1) are available on the department’s website at: https://www.txdot.gov/business/grants-and-funding/bicycle-pedestrian-local-federal-funding-programs.html. TxDOT’s 2025 TA Program Guide includes detailed information about eligibility requirements, specific procedures applicable to this Call for Projects, evaluation criteria, a map of the department’s district offices, a list of the District TA Coordinators, and a list of workshop dates for prospective project sponsors. 

The completed Preliminary Application must be received by TxDOT via Box.com, as outlined in the preliminary application instructions, no later than 5:00 p.m., CDT, on Friday, February 21, 2025. The Detailed Application (Step 2) will be distributed to eligible project sponsors on or about April 16, 2025.

Please attend one of the upcoming workshops to learn more about this opportunity. Below is link to the workshop schedule and invite.

2025 TA Project Sponsor Workshops