For the past three years, a group of determined young leaders has been showing up at the City Administration Building in downtown San Diego with one goal in mind: to transform Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park in the heart of City Heights into the vibrant, safe, and welcoming community space it deserves to be.

In the summer of 2025, all of their hard work paid off.

Thanks to their persistent advocacy, Youth Council has secured an additional $2.5 million from the City of San Diego's budget, bringing the total park renovation funding to an incredible $4.25 million!

The win definitely wasn't easy. Each year brought increasingly challenging city budgets and slim chances of winning allocations for neighborhood parks. But Youth Council was up for the challenge.

"We’re not gonna back down in this fight and you’ll see us here every budget hearing," said youth leader Tanya during her testimony.

Youth kept showing up, speaking out, and building support.

In 2023, they won $750,000.

In 2024, they secured $1 million.

And now, in 2025, they've won the largest award yet — $2.5 million to bring their vision even closer to reality.

“Youth have led every step of this process. They organized, strategized, spoke to the media, and told their personal stories to the councilmembers which resonated and they listened,” said Mid-City CAN lead organizer Victor Ponce.

This year the youth gave 54 live public comments, held meetings with councilmembers, sent letters to Mayor Todd Gloria, and shared their stories about why Henwood Park matters. Their passion and persistence made the issue impossible to ignore.

In addition to pushing for funding, Youth Council also worked with the city to engage local residents in shaping the future of the park. Together, they gathered community input and developed initial design plans that reflect the neighborhood’s needs and dreams.

It has been a tremendous learning experience for the youth, who have received praise from both community members and councilmembers.

"The park campaign has helped prepare me for all the advocacy I plan on doing in the future. As I’ve fought for Henwood Park, I’ve gained the confidence and knowledge to fight in the future, and for the future," reflected youth Denley in an essay he wrote for Mid-City CAN.

On January 27, 2024 Youth Council was named District 9's Youth Leaders of the Year for their park revitalization campaign.

Also, through an Arts in California Parks grant, the Henwood Park restrooms will be beautified with art. Click here to see photos from our Arts in the Park event.

Now, the effort moves into a new phase: construction drawings, permits, and building. The revitalization of Henwood Park is no longer just a dream — it’s on its way to becoming a reality!

We're excited to celebrate Youth Council's accomplishments with them on August 22.

Thank you to everyone who has stood with us — Henwood Park belongs to all of us!

We're excited about the playground designs which has multiple play structures and know that children and families will enjoy them!

Stay tuned for updates and future ways to get involved.

The transformation of Henwood Park is just beginning and it’s powered by youth, community, and the belief that every neighborhood deserves beautiful, thriving public spaces!

Aren't the designs fantastic!

The new modern playgrounds will bring joy, adventure, and nonstop fun to kids and families!