Photo Walk

by Emily Gunderson & Ricky Gutierrez

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.

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.

Active adults participating in an Eagle Pass park event

by Victorino Cantu, M. Garcia & A. Garza

Students pointing to the citrus they grew

The Farm to School Program Mission

The goal of the farm to school program is to bring local foods to the school cafeteria and agricultural education to K-12 students, encouraging children to make healthy food choices and inspiring sustainable connections to local food, while helping to boost the local economy.

Students planting a tree in their orchard

The Plan to Implement Farm to School Efforts in Starr County

Our planned intervention included the planting of a fruit orchard that is a continuation and enhancement of the existing school garden. This intervention was introduced while searching for options to replace missing local farms.

Students standing in the orchard holes for the trees to be planted in

Who Makes These Efforts Possible?

The Farm to School efforts would not be possible without R.T. Barrera Elementary and its administration. The school has incorporated Farm to school efforts into their Physical Education curriculum. They have also recently started an Ag Club that helps monitor the orchard and ensure that the trees are doing well health-wise.

Plowing and digging the site of the orchard

Other Experiences the Students get from Farm to School

As a direct result, students also get to learn the practice of farming and preparing their own healthy meals/snacks.

Students learning healthy food preparation

The Rewards of the Farm to School Program

This intervention provides much needed access to healthy produce that is integral for the long-term health of the community and the students. Planting an orchard demonstrates a commitment to community nutrition for the next 20 years and beyond. This proposal provides an ongoing supply of fresh, seasonal fruit at a location and institution that is accessible to much of the local community.

Pictures provided by R.T. Barrera Elementary Principal, Mrs. M. Garcia and Physical Education Coach, Mr. A. Garza. (01/19/2023)