RICARDO ROMO’S TEJANO REPORT 1.08.26 LATINOS FIND HEALTH IN PARKS AND GARDENS

Latinos Find Health Benefits and Social Interaction in Parks, Gardens, and Open Spaces

With each new year comes the obligatory “resolutions.”   Among the top five resolutions gathered in YouGov and Statista data was “exercise more,” which was listed among the single most common resolutions chosen by 25% of Americans. Second and third on the list were “be happier/improve mental well-being”  and  “eat healthier.”  As is often the case, finances were mentioned as a desire to “save more money.” Last among the top five was “improve physical health/lose weight.”

I recalled from my weekly reading of articles on staying healthy that getting 150 minutes of moderate exercise and two days of muscle strengthening per week were recommended. Increased physical activity is associated with numerous health benefits, such as reduced obesity, reduced osteoporosis, lower blood pressure, enhanced child development, and overall improved mental health.

The decision to exercise more and improve physical health led me to consult the excellent report, “The Power of Parks to Promote Health: A Special Report” by Lisa W. Foderaro and Will Klein. These researchers found that parks promote health by serving as an ideal venue for physical activity, helping to reduce obesity and lowering the risk of numerous diseases.  The report begins with a quote by Dr. Howard Frumkin of the Trust for Public Land, who noted, “If we had a medicine that delivered as many benefits as parks, we would all be taking it. Parks deliver cardiovascular benefits, fight loneliness, combat osteoporosis, counter stress and anxiety, and more. And they do those things without adverse side effects and at minimal costs.”

 

 Over the last decade, I have visited the top ten U.S. cities with the largest Latino population, which include, in order of size: New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, San Diego, San Jose, and Miami. I walked many times in Central Park and strolled on the public beaches of Los Angeles and San Diego. However, it came as no surprise to me that the  Trust for Public Land has found serious disparities in access to the outdoors. In an analysis of the 100 most populous American cities, neighborhoods where most residents identified as Black or Hispanic had access to an average of 43 percent less park acreage than predominantly white neighborhoods.

    The Special Report by Foderaro and Klein provided an excellent blueprint for improving the health of Latinos in urban areas. The report found that “Parks promote health by serving as an ideal venue for physical activity, helping to reduce obesity and the risk of numerous diseases.” Other similar research has found that art also counters stress and anxiety and can add to positive mental health.

      My favorite park in San Antonio is Brackenridge Park near the headwaters of the San Antonio River. Founded in 1899,  Brackenridge is one of the oldest public parks in the state of Texas. Children love the park because it offers ample outdoor areas, 300 acres, where they can run and ride bikes safely.  Public outdoor spaces offer many benefits for adults as well.  A study conducted by several Scottish researchers found that parks contribute to community well-being. The authors, who examined nearly 500 studies published over the past ten years, concluded that the benefits of parks were substantial.  Their key findings revealed that  “Physical health, mental wellbeing, and life satisfaction are all enhanced through access to and use of parks and green spaces.”  The researchers also found that “parks create important opportunities for social integration.”

    I love Brackenridge Park because of its historical significance. Indian tribes lived in the current park area along the headwaters of the San Antonio River thousands of years ago. Archaeologists and historians have uncovered Indian campgrounds dating back 12,000 years along the river banks. The park is also adjacent to the Witte Museum, and school tours of the museum spill over to the picnic benches of the park. The giant cypress and oak trees of the park assure plentiful shade for young and old. 

Dr. Kathleen L. Wolf, a nature scholar,  noted that 40 years of research have demonstrated sufficiently  that parks and green spaces “support human health and wellness.” It is a well-known fact that San Antonio has a large number of residents suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory problems. Parks, Dr. Wolf argues, are  “particularly relevant”  if they offer “walking and bike paths, and playing fields.”

After reading numerous reports about the benefits of parks and gardens, I invited my wife, Harriett, to join me in visiting the 40-acre San Antonio Botanical Gardens north of Downtown. [An easy ask since it is one of her favorite places in the city]  Foderaro and Klein observed that “Spending time in natural areas, whether walking or reflecting in a garden, is a powerful strategy for improved physical and mental health. There is a vast body of evidence documenting the health benefits, such as reduced anxiety and depression”.

Foderaro and Klien also found that studies of both adults and children confirm the astonishing range of mental and physical health benefits contact with nature provides. Benefits include lower blood pressure, less anxiety and depression, better mental concentration, healthier child development, enhanced sleep quality, and more.

The fact that parks offer so much in terms of good physical and mental health makes me wonder why some cities do so little to build or expand existing parks, gardens, and green spaces.  Additionally, the soft signals that tell people the park is safe and welcoming should be attended to.  According to researchers, this means inclusive programming, art installations, and cultural events that make all groups feel welcome.

In the coming year, I plan to promote parks and outdoor spaces,  additional cultural arts programming, ample parking, hiking trails, and walking paths. I would also like to see more family days, additional free admissions, inclusion of art and cultural activities, and outreach to wider audiences to encourage Latino families to enjoy parks,  botanical gardens, museum grounds, and other public open spaces.  

________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2026 by Ricardo Romo. All photos courtesy of Ricardo Romo.