John, with just a few days left to meet our member drive goal, I wanted to share an example of why I think the work we do together is so essential, especially for those of us concerned about creating a healthier, more connected society.
It's the story of Teresa Bendito and the work she's done in her community—with help from Trust for Public Land—to breathe new life into a neglected neighborhood park.
Teresa first encountered Trust for Public Land at a meeting we held to seek input from community members about the revitalization of Kiwanis Methow Park in central Washington.
Inspired by the resident-led nature of the project, Teresa and her mother signed up as TPL community organizers, going door to door to gather even more input from neighbors. What they discovered shows just how transformative park projects can be.
Teresa's neighbors didn't just talk about what they wanted for the park itself—new play equipment, trees to sit under, and the like. They talked about difficult issues they faced—job insecurity, housing costs, unsafe streets, and the toll it all took on their mental health.
Park renovation wouldn't solve all of that, but with Teresa's hands-on approach to engaging her community in the project, she was able to give them something pretty valuable all the same: purpose and hope.
The park reopened, and it was glorious. But Teresa's involvement didn't stop there. Inspired by the new jewel of the neighborhood they helped create, she and other neighbors formed a community group—Parque Padrinos ("Godparents of the Park")—to help ensure the park's upkeep over time.
Peers and elders celebrating her work was great, but it's the impact Teresa had on two young people that really means the most to her:
