Letter to the Editor

As a lifelong El Pasoan and a public health student at UTEP, I believe the proposed Downtown Deck Plaza represents one of the most important public health investments our community can make.

For decades, public health experts have emphasized that access to nearby green spaces improves physical activity, especially in communities like El Paso. According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, public parks are “critical resources for physical activity in minority communities,” and proximity plays a major role in whether families use them. In a city that is more than 80% Hispanic, where many neighborhoods lack safe, accessible recreational space, there is no better location for a citywide green space than the heart of El Paso.

The benefits extend beyond physical activity. Additional NIH research has found that access to green space is associated with lower rates of anxiety, depression and stress — outcomes that matter deeply as our community rebounds from the mental health challenges amplified by the pandemic and economic uncertainty.

The Deck Park is not just a beautification project — it is a strategic investment in our physical and mental well-being, one that could serve residents of every age and background. El Paso has the opportunity to lead, to show what a healthier, more connected, more vibrant future looks like.

Let’s build an El Paso that supports the health of all who call it home.

- Daniella Estrada, East El Paso

This letter originally appeared in El Paso Times on January 28, 2026.

Read the original letter here.