John—with just a few days left to meet our July member drive goal, I wanted to share an example of why I think the work we do together is so essential.
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. |
Photo credit: Jorge Rivas |
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. |
Photo credit: Stuart Isett |
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: |
"There are people who have thanked me for my work," Teresa says, "but these two young girls actually told me that they want to be like me when they grow up. And that fills my heart with joy because I know that, in a couple of years, I may not necessarily be at the front of this organization. But I know we are creating spaces and opportunities for young people like Grace and Zoe. They will have people who look like them, who have similar backgrounds as them, and who have been able to make changes in our community, and they will know they are more than capable of doing it themselves too.” |
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So, you see, John—it's not just about the land we preserve or the trails we create or the swing sets we secure. It's about the opportunity to connect and do something special—with people you already know and love, with those in your community you could know, and with young people who might one day be inspired to make change too.
Train new leaders. Create more parks. Build stronger communities. Renew your membership with Trust for Public Land. |
Thank you,
Josh VanDavier
Trust for Public Land |
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