For the past four years, our Enhancing Equitable Access grant program has had a positive impact in communities across San Mateo County. The goal of this initiative is to fund and support organizations that increase opportunities for Black, Indigenous and people of color, and low-income and marginalized youth and their families to enjoy the many benefits of being in parks surrounded by nature.
We ask grantees to tell us what improved access to parks means for their communities. In return, they have spearheaded numerous initiatives that have opened doors to the outdoors for people of all ages. Here are some of the meaningful activities that are fostering curiosity and exploration in nature:
- Surfing and Ocean Access: Through surf clinics and leadership programs, Salted Roots helps teenagers gain confidence in the ocean. These experiences build skills and create a safe space to foster community that’s based on healing and enjoyment of the ocean.
Outdoor Adventures: Kids have had the opportunity to go hiking, biking, and camping, all led by bilingual and bicultural staff and volunteers. Families get to enjoy the outdoors together without technology and are instead inspired by nature. These experiences were made possible thanks to our partners: Rise South City, Siena Youth Center, Girls to Women, and Exploring New Horizons.- Senior Engagement: Understanding the isolation and loneliness that seniors can experience, Puente de la Costa Sur developed their 60+ Connection and Wellbeing Program. This program brings seniors out to San Mateo County parks to connect with nature and each other in a calm, slow-paced group.
- Empowering Teenagers: Redwood City Together, through their Promotores program, empowers teenagers by providing them with a stipend for their time promoting parks at community events. Promotores are trusted community members who act as liaisons to meaningful information and resources for their neighbors and neighborhoods. The South San Francisco Education Foundation supported Baden High School students with a graduation celebration at Coyote Point and team-building and leadership activities at San Bruno Mountain. The students also learned about park related career opportunities to help prepare them for the future.
The staff at Siena Youth Center have expressed their enthusiasm for the accomplishments of this initiative, sharing the following feedback,
“Students were able to immerse themselves in the natural world and learn interesting facts through multiple senses. It gave students the space and environment to have meaningful conversations with their peers without the distractions of technology.”
Barriers to knowing and enjoying our San Mateo County parks come in many forms. For some, it is a lack of awareness about local parks in the first place. For others, it is not feeling safe or welcome in parks due to a lack of translated materials or not seeing people who look like them in the parks. Park fees and a lack of personal transportation also prevent people from visiting parks. The San Mateo County Parks Foundation is committed to dismantling these barriers so we may continue to nurture the next generation of park stewards.
Thank you to our partners for making these experiences and outings possible. Together, we are creating a more welcoming outdoor environment for everyone!