by Jorge Laguna
When I was a kid growing up in the San Mateo Highlands, some of my most vivid memories were of my parents taking me to local parks and open spaces in the area. My family spent many afternoons walking Sawyer Camp Trail, investigating sea creatures at low tide at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and camping overnight at Memorial Park. We’d picnic, hike, or just enjoy nature- parks were a fantastic refuge from the day to day of our normal lives. As a young child, these were amazing opportunities to learn new things and have freedom that I didn’t have in the classroom or at home. Looking back on it some of my best times growing up were exploring nature, and I feel fortunate to have had the chance to experience this at an early age.