PHARR, Texas – Hidalgo County Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu says one of his proudest achievements has been building an inclusive park for Precinct 2.
The park, which is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, is one of the largest of its kind in South Texas.
Cantu was recently invited by the Disability Advocates Coalition-RGV to speak at a Disability Issues Forum. “I am proud of the Inclusivity projects we have undertaken at Precinct 2, beginning with the first large Inclusive Park in all of South Texas, the Pct 2 Inclusive Park. I am committed to creating inclusive environments for both children and adults and I look forward to our next projects for the disability community.”
Cantu started working with a special needs advocacy group to build an inclusive park in Precinct 2 when a local city dropped the idea. He said building inclusive parks does not just help the disabled. He said it also helps “change the mindset of people.”
Asked if the park is one of his proudest achievements in public office, Cantu said: “Absolutely.”
Meanwhile, Cantu said, the hiring of a disabled worker, Jose, has brought a sense of community to the Precinct 2 workforce. “He has probably taught us more than we have taught him,” Cantu said.
The commissioner noted that the new hike and bike trail in Precinct 2 is also all inclusive. “I see a lot of people with special needs out on the hike and bike trail,” he said proudly.
In the attached podcast, Commissioner Cantu speaks about the importance of building inclusive parks. He said he hopes all new parks will be built in this format in the future. And he speaks about a scholarship fund he has set up to help special needs students attending UT-Rio Grande Valley.
Podcast:
Editor’s Note: The above news story and podcast is the second in a two-part series that features the work of Hidalgo County Commissioner Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Cantu. Click here to read and listen to Part One, which looks at the expansion of Dicker Road in Hidalgo and south Pharr.
Quality journalism takes time, effort and…. Money!
Producing quality journalism is not cheap. The coronavirus has resulted in falling revenues across the newsrooms of the United States. However, The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service is committed to producing quality news reporting on the issues that matter to border residents. The support of our members is vital in ensuring our mission gets fulfilled.
Can we count on your support? If so, click HERE. Thank you!
