Hearts in the Park: Care, Connect & Celebrate
On August 15, Hearts in the Park brought families, neighbors, community organizations, and local partners together at Phil Chacon Park for an afternoon centered on something simple but powerful: caring for one another and our community.
Organized by the International District Healthy Communities Coalition (IDHCC) with the support of community partners, the event was built around three themes — Care, Connect &
Celebrate — creating a space where health, food access, community resources, environmental care, and joy could all come together.
Caring for People and Place
Throughout the afternoon, community members connected with organizations offering health information, local services, resources, and opportunities to get involved.
The Health Equity Council joined partners at the event to share information about its work and connect residents with resources related to health, families, housing, safety, and other community needs.
Care also extended to the environment. Families could learn about pollinators, receive plants and seeds, and participate in activities encouraging people to grow food and care for the spaces around them.
Food, Resources and Community Connection
Food access remained an important part of the celebration. Free food and refreshments were available alongside plants, seeds, school supplies, community information, and other resources.
But Hearts in the Park was about more than distributing resources. It created opportunities for neighbors to meet the organizations working in their community — and for organizations to hear directly from the people they serve.
That connection is an important part of health equity. Healthy communities are strengthened when residents have access not only to services but also to relationships, information, welcoming public spaces, and opportunities to help shape what happens in their neighborhoods.
And, of Course, We Celebrated!
Hearts in the Park was also about joy. Music, games, family activities, and even Zumba brought people together to move, laugh, dance, and enjoy Phil Chacon Park.
The event demonstrated what can happen when organizations work alongside residents rather than separately: health and community can show up in the same place.
We are grateful to IDHCC and the many organizations, volunteers, community members, and partners who contributed their time, resources, food, plants, information, and energy to make Hearts in the Park possible.
What Comes Next? Join the Hearts in the Park Debrief
The work doesn’t end when the event does.
IDHCC’s August Monthly Meeting will include a Hearts in the Park debrief this Thursday, August 27. Partners and community members are invited to reflect on the event together — what worked, what we learned, and what we can strengthen for future community events.
If you participated, volunteered, partnered with us, or simply have ideas for what comes next, we’d love to hear your perspective.
📅 Thursday, August 27, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
💚 IDHCC Monthly Meeting + Hearts in the Park Debrief
Because building healthier communities isn’t a one-day event. It happens when we continue listening, learning, collaborating, and moving forward — together.