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PHARR, Texas - Hidalgo County Commissioner Eduardo \\u201cEddie\\u201d 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. \\u201cI 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.\\u201d

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 \\u201cchange the mindset of people.\\u201d\\xa0

Asked if the park is one of his proudest achievements in public office, Cantu said: \\u201cAbsolutely.\\u201d

Meanwhile, Cantu said, the hiring of a disabled worker, Jose, has brought a sense of community to the Precinct 2 workforce. \\u201cHe has probably taught us more than we have taught him,\\u201d Cantu said.\\xa0

The commissioner noted that the new hike and bike trail in Precinct 2 is also inclusive. \\u201cI see a lot of people with special needs out on the hike and bike trail,\\u201d 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.\\xa0

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.