The Park Youth Committee
The Modesto team at Tuolumne River Trust is on a mission to create safe and equitable access to parks for all children. Formerly partnered with All Children Thrive (ACT), the Park Youth committee is tackling this critical issue head on for all children and families in the Modesto area.
The Modesto team at Tuolumne River Trust is on a mission to create safe and equitable access to parks for all children. Formerly partnered with All Children Thrive (ACT), a statewide initiative dedicated to improving child well-being, we're tackling this critical issue head on. Our programmatic staff in the Central Valley was at the backbone of the ACT Modesto team, working tirelessly to co-design solutions that will heal adverse childhood experiences and transform futures.
With ACT's previous funding and support, we've assembled a Park Youth Committee (PYC) of nine high school students and two young adult mentors to lead the Park Equity Project. These youth, representing their own communities, are elevating their voices to address park equity issues they face in their neighborhood parks. We believe that investments in youth outdoor recreational programming and safe access to parks and amenities will improve child well-being and bring about equitable park access across the city. By working hand in hand with local communities, we've identified the top priorities and concerns related to park access - safety, functioning amenities, recreational opportunities, and accessibility.
In 2023, the PYC attended City Council meetings to present their data, findings, and direct asks for safe and equitable park access for all youth in Modesto, specifically in West Modesto. In February of 2024, the PYC accomplished a major milestone in their equity work: presenting their data and Park Equity Resolution to City Council, which was passed unanimously 8-0. This resolution laid the foundation for restoring and maintaining Modesto parks through an equitable lens, so that all youth have the opportunity to access a safe and well-maintained park.
Although the ACT grant has concluded, having funded the project for a 3-year period, the Park Youth Committee is continuing to move forward with their equity work. The current cohort, made up of eight high school students and two youth allies, is currently working on addressing the equity issues facing the Tuolumne River Regional Park, a widespread park in Modesto where families can recreate in the Tuolumne River, bike on the bike trails, or enjoy the open space and scenery.
The Park Youth Committee embodies the heart of Tuolumne River Trust's Central Valley work and engages underserved communities along the Tuolumne River Watershed, supports youth voices, provides leadership development opportunities, addresses safe and equitable park access, educates partner agencies, elected officials, and community-based organizations on the current status of park equity and access, and promotes policy changes based on community-collected data.
It all comes together to create a healthier Lower Tuolumne Watershed - because a thriving watershed starts with the health and well-being of the youth and communities that surround it.
WATCH: ACT Modesto
Youth Driven, Park Equity Project
Hear our first Park Youth Committee cohort share their about their work to increase safe and equitable park access for Modesto's youth and families.
PYC members (left to right) Citlalit Alvarez, Tejas Mathai, and Noah Wong review park data and discuss which parks will be the focus of the ACT Modesto project.
From Left to Right: Akhil Patel, Angelica Aguilar, Martin Montez, Belle Garza, ACT Coach Lourdez Perez, attending the City Council meeting where the youth presented their Park Equity Resolution that was approved unanimously.
Juan Alberto Gutierrez presents youth-developed action planning strategies to PYC members.
PYC members (left to right) Citlalit Alvarez, Noach Wong, Tejas Mathai, and Mayra Martinez review park data and discuss which parks will be the focus of the ACT Modesto project.
For more information or ways to get involved, please contact:
Natali Gutierrez
natali@tuolumne.org