BROWNSVILLE, Texas (June 12, 2019) – The City of Brownsville Parks & Recreation Department has been selected to receive a $30,000 play space grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Walt Disney Company. This investment supports NRPA and Disney’s combined goal of providing one million kids and families with greater access to play.

The City of Brownsville Parks & Recreation Department will use the $30,000 grant to renovate a historic caboose into an interactive library in the heart of the Mitte Cultural District. This project is also made possible through partnerships with the Texas Pediatric Society Foundation, the Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville, the Brownsville Wellness Coalition, the Community Improvement Corporation of Brownsville, the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville, the Brownsville Preservation Society and the Port of Brownsville.

As part of the national Meet Me at the Park Play Spaces grant program, park and recreation agencies across the country were invited to share their best ideas on increasing access to play spaces for children and families in their communities. Agencies with the most innovative and impactful project ideas were chosen to receive $30,000 grants to build their projects. Brownsville was one of 25 communities selected to receive this grant.

“Access to play is important to the development of the families and the vitality of our community as a whole,” said Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez. “I’d like to thank our Parks & Recreation Department and Office of Grant Management for securing these funds through the NRPA and the Walt Disney Company”.

“NRPA is proud to collaborate with The Walt Disney Company to help more children and families experience the benefits of play,” said Kellie May, NRPA vice president of programs. “By increasing access to play spaces, this program will also provide unique activities tailored to the local community that support healthy lifestyles.”

To learn more about Meet Me at the Park, visit www.nrpa.org/meetmeatthepark .

For more information about the Brownsville Parks & Recreation Department visit https://www.cob.us/308/Parks-Recreation .

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