The city of Brownsville's mission of boosting the well-being of residents is pressing forward in the city's Southmost neighborhood.

A new grant hopes to push the area out of what public health experts say is an epidemic of different non-COVID related illnesses.

As city officials and nonprofits work to connect Brownsville to other cities in Cameron County with the Caracara Trails, leaders are also working to connect the Southmost neighborhood of close to 37,000 residents.

Some Southmost residents say promoting health and wellness by providing a space for walking, biking, and other outdoor activities is critical due to the high obesity rates in the area.

And thanks to a $20,000 grant to the UT Health School of Public Health, La Posada park in Brownsville will be home to an urban farm, but activities such as stargazing with the South Texas Astronomical Society will be available for residents.

Officials say they hope the new programs will get more families moving and learning together.

Correction: A previous headline in this story stated Brownsville invested the grant. That is incorrect. The grant is from the UT Health School of Public Health.