May 5, 2025 Budget Hearing
Youth Council returned to City Hall on May 5, 2025 for the FY26 proposed budget hearing to advocate for funding for Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park in City Heights. Their advocacy for the past two and a half years has resulted in receiving $1.75 million from the City of San Diego's budget. The funds will be used to upgrade the 2-5 children's playground at the park. However, $2.5 million is needed to fund the 5-12 year old playground at Henwood Park.
Youth will be back at City Hall on Monday, May 19! Community members, please meet us at City Hall (202 C Street San Diego, CA 92101) at 5:30 PM if you can! Meeting is held on 12th floor in City Chambers. You can also support youth by sending a letter to councilmembers to ask them to fund the 5-12 children's playground at Henwood Park by clicking here.
The following are the youth and staff's testimonials to the council members:
Paloma
Hello council members. My name is Paloma, and I am a resident and homeowner in City Heights. I am here asking you to protect Parks and Rec center hours including park maintenance and community programs offered by the rec centers. We oppose “across the board” cuts and ask you to consider where cuts will cause the greatest harm. Rec Center and libraries are critical to historically underserved communities where access to private amenities is limited due to location and income.
My family and I lived in Barrio Logan for more than 13 years. As a single parent and low-income household, the park and libraries were crucial to our family. We spent many hours at Memorial Park; my mom would join the free aerobics class while we played outside on the basketball court. On other days she would run around the park parameter while we played in the playground. Afterwards without fail we would walk next door to the Logan Heights Library, where she would read a book to my baby sister, while my brother and I played pop-tropica on the computers or attended a class. We would end a great day by checking out a movie and books to take home to enjoy when she was at work.
My mom relied on public parks and public libraries for the wellness of our family, for help with tutoring in classes and a language she could not understand for her kids.
My first day at Mid-City CAN consisted of a visit to City Hall during the end of the last budget hearing. Throughout the year I have worked with 140 youth council members, learning about the campaign to Revitalize Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park. Many of our youth could not make it right now because they're focusing on AP testing. Our youth here today choose to still attend because that is how important this is to them.
I am asking that you allocate an additional $2.5 million in funding for the construction of a second playground at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park. This park is as important as Memorial Park, that my family relied on when we could not afford anything else. Has this community not waited enough? During this budget season, please ensure that we prioritize parks and green spaces as much as we do the other services that the city provides. Because they are just as important to today's youth as they were to me growing up.
Thank you.
Obidullah
Good evening, City Council members
My name is Obidullah and am a resident of City Heights and junior at Hoover High School.
I live just down the street from the Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park. And yet… My siblings and I have to drive 15 minutes to another neighborhood to find a place where we can feel like kids again. Where we can feel joy. It's not that we don't have a park nearby, but the one we know feels forgotten.
My family, and nearly every family I know in our complex, lives in an apartment with no backyard. We don’t have green space to stretch, play, or laugh.
As my 7-year-old sister once said,
“The parks here feel empty… like the Sahara Desert. And the equipment? There is no equipment we can use.”
Right now, we’ve secured a minor funding just enough to build a toddler space. But what about the rest of our youth? What about the 5 to 12-year-olds who need a safe place to grow up, move, and create memories that stick with them for the rest of their life?
Let’s talk numbers. City Heights is among the most densely populated areas in San Diego. Thousands of families live here. According to our community surveys and park use studies, hundreds of families visit this park every week, even with its current state. Imagine what would happen if we revitalized it.
If this park is revitalized, it won’t just be a place to play—it will be a place to breathe. A place where single moms can rest while their kids run safely. A place where teenagers find community instead of trouble. A place where joy belongs to everyone, not just those who can drive 15 minutes away.
Let me ask you something:
If we are prioritizing housing, and we should, then where is the green space for this growing community to come together?
Because let me tell you something harsh but true:
Some of these new housing apartments feel like prisons. They are trapped, constrained, and lack any sense of joy. And cutting off joyful opportunities from our kids? That’s not just unfair. It’s unacceptable.
So today, I am asking, not for a luxury or favor but a necessity.
$2.5 million is not just an investment in a park. It's an investment in future generations. In equity. In dignity.
If we don’t take action now, green spaces may become a luxury rather than a right, and the joy of being a teenager could lead to trouble rather than a bright future.
I’ll end this with:
A tree never asks who gets to sit under its shade.
But it matters who plants it. So let’s plant something that lasts not just for today but decades from now.
Thank you.
Video of Obidullah's testimonial.
Richard
Good evening, my name is Richard, and I am a freshman at Hoover High School. Just like how flowers need water and nutrients to thrive, so does our generation and all the others in our City Heights community.
How can we expect to have a thriving city when we don't have the basic infrastructure like Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park and when youth programs are being cut? Like our beautiful flowers, our park plays a key part in helping our community grow and bloom.
As it sits now the 1.75 million dollars currently allocated, isn’t enough for even the smaller playground and we recently learned construction wouldnt even start until at least the summer of 2027. The additional 2.5 million dollars we are requesting today would go towards the construction cost of the 2nd playground at Henwood Park.
With the full funding on hand, we can bring life to this space sooner—a space where kids feel safe, families gather, and youth can engage in programs that keep them off the streets and inspired for the future. This isn’t just about building a park; it’s about building hope, opportunity, and belonging in a neighborhood that too often gets overlooked.
The money wouldn’t just be an investment in grass and pavement or playgrounds, but in people. In futures. In us.
Please help us make this vision real, not years from now, but now, when we need it the most.
Thank you.
Anna
Hello Council members and representative, my name is Anna and I am a junior at Hoover High school and a City Heights resident and a member of Mid-city CAN’s Youth Council.
I would like to speak on behalf of the other council members who couldn’t join us today and expressing the teams support and encouragement of the funding of a new well-designed playground at the Jeremy Henwood Park as it is a one of the most pivotal space for everyone especially children where they can be able to grow and just be children.
As someone who used to play on that specific playground regularly, I have seen first hand the playground when it comes to the damages and vandalism and all those factors alone could affect overall the positive impact of families of the children and the neighborhood.
I personally believe that every child around the community deserves gaining access to places like the playground to be able to give them active, mental, and social skills. All we are asking for is to urge y’all to support the funding of at least $2.5 million on the playground to ensure providing a safe and enjoyable space for childrens and residents in this current environment.
Thank you for your time.
Gabrielle
Good afternoon, city council members, my name is Gabrielle and I am a part of Mid-City CAN Youth Council. Our cause for the past few years is that we have been working diligently to try and gain funding for Officer Jeremy Henwood park.
Over the past few years we’ve received 1.75 million dollars which is a great amount and we are grateful for, but that only will cover the toddlers 2-5 playground while we have to hold off on the development of the 5-12 year old playground with an extremely slow development with estimated being 2-years for a signaler playground.
This park is extremely dear to the heart of City Heights, being an area that holds monthly gatherings where hundreds of people gather and grow as a whole community. And that would be unacceptable. This is a campaign that we have been working on since I was in 6th grade, and I'm currently approaching the 10th grade and would be a senior by the time the construction is done.
This is plain and simple unacceptable. By allocating 2.5 million dollars, it would not only change and beautify the area but also strengthen and uplift the community. It has been shown throughout history that being outside leads to better brain development in children, and by giving the children a park, you are investing in the future.
Tanya
Hello council members,
My name is Tanya and I am a senior at Canyon Hills High School and a resident of City Heights.
On Nov 5th 2024 Trump won the presidential election which the same day some of you won your seats to remain in office
On Jan 13th just a week before Trump came into office my community came under attack when ICE officials were spotted driving around Rosa Parks Elementary and by Clark Middle school where my little sister goes to school in City Heights.
Days later on Jan 16th I was leading a protest with several other Youth from City Heights in response to this attack on my community
Since then Trump has made sweeping federal cuts directly impacting and targeting individuals like me and from my community
On April 15th the proposed budget was released and instead of seeing a budget that is protecting my community I saw more cuts being made towards services that would have the greatest impact my community
Now just a few weeks later I’m here standing in front of you asking and questioning where yall will stand on this issue
I hope that on July 1st we see a budget passed that is equity minded and that includes another 2.5 million towards our Youth Council revitalization efforts of Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park
Stop choosing the police over poor young kids, who are your future!
Vicente
Good evening council members, my name is Vicente and I am here today with Mid-City CAN’s Youth Council.
I was born here in City Heights (District 9) and lived here for about 10 years. I have very fond memories of spending my childhood at the Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park and the next-door public library with my family, as the area rolled entertainment, collaboration and learning into one.
Since then, my family and I moved to South Park and now live in District 3. 6 years later, when I returned to City Heights as part of my volunteering work with Mid-City CAN and some of their other momentum teams, I found that not much had changed over the years in the area, and especially the park.
I didn’t know what to say, really. At one point, I was actually content that nothing had changed about it and it was still the exact same playground that I used to run around.
I was able to note that the major difference between then and now was that there was barely anyone around the playground area. Now, sections like the 2-5 year old play area being closed off and the environment being completely dead was troubling to me. This wasn’t the park that I remembered.
By allocating 2.5 million to this project, you not only revitalize attendances and activity to a park as historical and iconic for the people of City Heights, but you allow for parents like mine, to create the great times and memories that they and their children will have for years.
In the words of the mayor, “While this budget requires shared sacrifice, it also preserves our values… It makes targeted, high-impact investments in parks, libraries, and city infrastructure.”
I ask that you hold true to these words and that we give additional funding to the park. Additionally our mayor says:
“San Diego has a long history of resilience. We’ve faced economic challenges before — and overcome them by working together. I am confident that we’ll do the same now. This draft budget is balanced, responsible, and realistic.”
I think that this selection of words captures the mentality and work ethic of many that live in City Heights. Being resilient and getting up every morning, to do what is needed to provide for their families, give their children a better life.
Thank you for your time, councilmembers. Enjoy the rest of your evening.
Adalynn (read by Antoine)
Good evening Council Members,
My name is Adalynn I am senior at Steele Canyon High School and I am a Mid-City CAN Youth Council member. I come to Youth Council to continue advocating what my cousin Mia who lived in District 8 was doing with this same Youth Council. While neither of us lived within the district we are both determined to fight the injustices that we see around us.
Henwood Park that we are advocating for today is is something city heights has been in need for, for many years and yet nothing has changed yet. We fight for the equity this community deserves just like Chicano Park, this park holds many different community connections such as cultural event and provides a green space to come home to.
Every year the police's budget increases while communities still face inequality due to lack of funding to resources and the police are still gaining raises for their social discrimination. Our park needs another 2.5 million on top of the 1.75 million we currently have and that only includes to have the play structures and fitness extension to the park.
I continue to advocate for the park and city heights because my voice matters and youth council recognizes this as well.
Victor
Hello City Council members,
My name is Victor and I am the Lead Organizer at Mid-City CAN. I’m sure you and your staff have gotten to know me over the years, as this is the third fiscal year that I am presenting with our Youth Council behind me. The youth involved may change slightly from year to year as the older ones leave for college and new youth join us, but our mission and goals remain the same: to revitalize Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park.
Over the past few years, we’ve been fortunate enough to work with Andy Fields and the rest of his team; Tom, Michelle, Gina, Kaitlyn and Charlie on this project. And now it’s on to Capital and Engineering for the next phase and we just met with them a few weeks ago.
It’s discouraging to hear from them that the money allocated over the past two years is not even enough to cover the cost of a single playground, and construction on that wouldn’t even begin until the summer of 2027. Our community shouldn’t have to wait that many years just to get a single playground.
That is why we’re here, demanding that you allocate an additional $2.5 million in funding for the construction of a second playground. Our community has already waited long enough, especially considering the recent debacle on University Ave, which brought not only street closures but also impacted all of the small businesses.
The allocation of these funds would at least give them hope for a new play space in the near future. We just hosted an event at the park space on April 25th where over 100 community members who attended our Arts in the Park event got a chance to see these approved playground design renderings.
During that community event, community members also sent out hundreds of emails to each of you and to the Mayor’s office, asking for additional funding.
Please listen to them and ensure that the city does not fail our community again.
After their testimonials, council members Sean Elo-Rivera and Kent Lee stopped by to congratulate and offer encouragement to the youth.
Great job Youth Council! They'll be back at City Hall for the second budget hearing on May 19, 2025.
Click here to view photos from the budget hearing.
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May 1, 2024 Budget Hearing
Youth Council members along with Mid-City CAN staff were at City Hall on May 1 for the FY25 proposed budget hearing to advocate for funding for the youth's City Heights Urban Village Revitalization Campaign that includes Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park.
The youth displayed passion, dedication, sacrifice, courage and many amazing qualities as they addressed the council members and let them know their disappointment in Mayor Todd Gloria's budget that does not reflect the values of fairness, equity, and justice for all.
Thank you to Ashley, Karlita, Nidal, Zamzam, Tanya, Judith, Leo, Stephany, Niya, Denley, Abigail, and Obidullah for attending the budget hearing, and to Youth Council members unable to attend who have worked hard on the campaign! NOTE: Mia's statement was ready by Transportation Justice Organizer Lupe.
The following are the youth's statements to the councilmembers. Youth Organizer Victor Ponce spoke first followed by the youth.
Victor:
Good evening councilmembers. Hello my name is Victor Ponce and I am the Youth Organizer at Mid-City CAN. I am here today on behalf of our Youth Council and our CBA partners.
I want to start off by thanking those of you who supported us and listened to our Youth last year. We recognize and acknowledge that the city no longer has federal Covid funding that helped us in the past year and that it will be a difficult budget year.
However, we can’t accept the mayor's proposed budget because it isn’t balanced. It’s taking away what little our BIPOC communities had to fight incredibly hard for. We didn’t bring out all of these youth tonight because they wanted to take a fun field trip. We brought them out because they wanted to be out here fighting for their community and standing up to these injustices.
We call on the mayor and city council to listen to the voices of the community and to work towards creating a budget that reflects the values of fairness, equity, and justice for all. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust and responsibility that comes with serving as a public official.
Ashley:
Good evening, City Council members.
Just like a caterpillar needs a nurturing environment to transform into a beautiful butterfly, our Youth Council needs your support in order to grow and flourish to their full potential. Officer Jeremy Henwood Park is a vital resource for our community, providing a safe and welcoming space for our youth to gather and engage in positive activities.
By continuing to fund Officer Jeremy Henwood Park, you are investing in the future of our city and helping our young people spread their wings and soar. Let's work together to cultivate a community where our young leaders can truly blossom and make a positive impact on the world around them. Please consider the impact that your decision will have on the lives of our youth and the future of our community. Thank you for your continued support.
Karlita:
Hello city council and city council president. My name is Karla. I am 17 years old and a youth member at Mid-City CAN's Youth Council. As of last year the Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park campaign began. In the past few months, City Heights gained around 500 new residents due to the new housing developments. About more than half of the 500 residents are youth aged 18 and younger. Henwood Park is the closest family space available to them. With more plans to expand and make more housing, Henwood Park is our heart of City Heights, events in the park are held such as The Festival of Love, Day of the Dead, and Lunar New Year. However, it is unfair to our community member to have this park under poor condition, such as the bathrooms aren't accessible to our public, having patchy grass, and poor lighting at dark as well as having our play structures tied down with caution tape.
Recently Mayor Todd Gloria's proposed draft of next year budget is cutting down youth programming such as college career readiness workshops for youth and young women of color, community outreach and focus groups for youth, as well as canceling the Youth Care and Development Program which are areas that provide mental health counseling and trauma-informed care, and canceling contributions to the Community Equity Fund which provides multi-year grants to community-based organizations leading transformative racial equity-focused projects in the city. We ask that our city council take into consideration 2.5 million dollars into our park, and prevent cutting our youth programs. Thank you.
Tanya:
Hello my name is Tanya. I’m here as a member representing Mid-City CAN Youth Council. It’s time for you hear us out and to hear our community struggles, specifically regarding Officer Jeremy Henwood Park in City Heights where I was raised.
City Heights is an area full of diversity and different cultures. Throughout my childhood we did not have much; my parents weren’t really financially stable. They did not have the money to take us to Sea World or any different type of amusement parks. When we all wanted to do something fun and enjoy ourselves, we would go to Henwood Park. To be specific it was Henwood Park located in front of the police station.
This park was the setting for many cherished memories. I played, laughed, met new friends, and had family picnics. There was a recent time period where the playground was unusable for 2 years. Last year we initiated efforts to restore this community treasure.
However, the historic inequities and under investments in BIPOC communities has been an issue, and it has been hard for us. It’s not just the park that lacks the government funding, but the community itself. My mom chose to send me to Canyon Hills because she believed I had a brighter future there because they had better resources for my education. I have to wake up at 6 o’clock every morning just to catch my school bus to get me to school on time. As a school athlete I have traveled to different schools and neighborhoods and seen the disparities between those communities.
This isn’t necessarily an investment for myself, but for the youth of our community. According to the Office of Child and Youth Success our 92105 zip code has the second highest concentration of youth in the city and we are only growing. Recently we saw 500 new units built right down the street from the park and recently broke ground on even more apartments being built.
I have a younger sister who is age 11. by the time this project is done I might not be able to play anymore, but my younger sister can as well as other generation, will be able to enjoy this park.
I may be young, but I will not stop till my community has a park where they can play and make friendships. It’s time for you guys to see us and not just see us physically, but see us for our hopes and dreams and the passion that we have for this park.
Officer Henwood Park is also a memorial park for a fallen officer; not only would you be honoring our community by redoing this park, but you would be honoring his name, and keeping his memory alive. Start showing that you care about us and our area and our dreams and hopes with your actions and not your words; we are the future generation -- we are your future!
Denley:
My name is Denley and I’m a youth advocate for Mid-City CAN. The City of San Diego has prioritized the police over people, especially communities of color for far too long. There’s no justification to keep dumping money into the police budget when the population of the city isn’t growing much and San Diego has a low crime rate for a major city. Even in a deficit year we see that the police department is receiving more funding. It is entirely possible to invest in our neighborhoods if we prioritized people over putting even more money into something that really doesn’t need anymore funding. I think it’s also really important to point out the hypocrisy in calling yourself progressive by putting police over ordinary people. We ask that you allocate $2.5 million dollars to Officer Jeremy Henwood Park. Thank you for your time.
Nidal:
As a Sudanese teen, who has grown up fostering connections, throughout my experience in San Diego, I have witnessed how Henwood Park holds immense cultural significance not only for my community but for the entire City Heights neighborhood. It's truly beautiful to see the array of cultural events that take place at this park. Within the warm embrace of such a strong and vibrant community, we as residents of City Heights and Oak Park find a profound sense of unity, support, and belonging at Henwood Park.
However, due to growing concerns about safety, especially during times when children are present and playing, the park no longer feels like a welcoming space where families can comfortably spend extended periods of time. That's why, we ask you to investigate into adding 2.5 million towards fixing and rebuilding this park so that we can bloom more. Thank you for your time.
Zamzam:
Good evening Councilmembers, my name is Zamzam and I’m here to advocate against the budget cuts. Last year we came down to these budget hearings. I specifically addressed concerns on the new apartments going up adjacent to our office and a block from the Jeremy Henwood Park. Since then those same apartments are now occupied by 500 community residents with 48% of them being youth.
Last month Mayor Todd Gloria joined the Council President Sean Elo Rivera at the opening of these apartments where expressed appreciation for the City Heights neighbors willingness to welcome new neighbors. Last week he was in City Heights for the groundbreaking of another 117 new homes where he said and I quote “This neighborhood is my family. I am proud of this community and I guarantee we will continue to do whatever we possibly can to make sure City Heights remains the very special place that it is.”
So I ask why do we have to plead for the city to not make cuts to our already vulnerable communities? How would you feel sending your children to a park with patchy grasses and screws all over the floor? Or The city that is supposed to serve you cutting your child’s afterschool program? This is the reality that families in City Heights live with.
We urge you to please restore the budget cuts to after school programs and we ask you to please fund our park revitalization project. Thank you.
Mia (read by Guadalupe):
Mid City-CAN has built the bridge between my two communities, Sherman Heights and City Heights. I live on the border between these two communities that lack resources and support, and attending an affluent school like Mission Bay High makes these disparities even more apparent. On the bus ride from Mission Bay to Sherman Heights I have watched the progression of the recently revitalized Tecolote Shores park in Mission Bay. The $4.1 million dollar makeover includes quote “swings, slides, rockers and merry-go-rounds for children to enjoy. There are also sensory toys, obstacle areas and even an inclusive, kid-friendly zip line.” It's aggravating to see how in areas like Mission Bay who are clearly more favored hence receiving more funding, are adding non-park features like a zip line while the requests to renovate parks like the City Heights' Henwood Park are constantly overlooked and neglected.
There needs to be more representation and funding provided by the City of San Diego for City Heights' outdoor recreational areas and Sherman Heights educational programs. It is unfair for youth within low-income communities to be forced to flee to white-populated schools that grant them a better education than the one provided within their own community. City Heights has grown into a blooming area that continues to gain many new low-income families with young children that need green spaces available to them. Henwood Park acts as the closest park to many families but due to its inability to meet safety guidelines, it has now become an area which these new families avoid. We demand $2.5 million dollars by June 10 from the San Diego City Council to revitalize Henwood Park and bring back the joy that it brought during its primary years.
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June 7, 2024 Budget Hearing
Youth Council members and Mid-City CAN staff were at City Hall on June 7 for the FY25 budget modification hearing to advocate for funding for the youth's City Heights Urban Village Revitalization Campaign that includes Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park.
Thank you to Karlita, Obidullah, Salma, Judith, Nidal, Lucerito, and Mid-City CAN intern Alex for attending the budget hearing -- it was the first day of summer break for the youth and they chose to spend their first day off at City Hall. Thank you to Janelle and Alex for preparing statements to be read, and to Youth Council members unable to attend who worked hard on the campaign.
The following are the youth's statements to the councilmembers. Youth Organizer Victor Ponce spoke first followed by the youth.
Good Morning Councilmembers,
My name is Victor Ponce and I am the Lead Organizer at Mid-City CAN and have been the main lead and supporter for our Youth Council since they decided to take on this campaign to revitalize Henwood Park.
I’ve had youth from not just City Heights, but have also had youth from Clairemont, North Park, Sherman Heights, Allied Gardens, and Paradise Hills all in our office coming together on their Friday after school to stay updated and learn how our city's budget process works and how we can get funding for this project.
We consistently have over 20 youth joining us week in and week out because this is an issue that they care and are passionate about. We’ve consistently been having meetings with the Parks and Rec leadership team every month to see how we can help push this along as soon as possible because truth be told I don’t know if we can wait another 15-20 years like some of the other park projects that I’ve learned about. We are also now on the City Heights Community Rec Group and CHAPC trying to be as hands on as we can be.
From the meetings from Parks and Rec, we’ve learned that the budget that’s currently allocated will only take us as far as redoing the toddler playground, but it doesn’t even touch the other playground or any of the grass areas. We are working with Andy and his team to ensure we have a huge turnout to the parks design workshops, but it will all be for nothing if we don’t have the funding in hand this upcoming fiscal year.
So I am asking you all to please fully restore funding to the Climate Equity Fund as many of you did in your budget memos and to include Henwood Park as part of that funding allocation.
Thank you.
Hello, my name is Alexander and I am a resident of District 6 and am here with Mid-City CAN's Youth Council. I am here to speak on behalf of Officer Jeremy Henwood Park which I’ve learned about since I was introduced to Mid-City CAN.
I learned that the park is a focal point of this community yet has gone neglected and forgotten about. By funding this park, you would be creating a place for the future of our city to gather and socialize.
Having access to parks in my community has enabled me to socialize and learn Tae Kwon Do. Park space access has also enabled me to have safe social contact during the pandemic.
Providing a safe public restrooms to the community would protect everyone’s dignity and is a basic necessity.
I ask: 'Is an updated play structure and working restroom too much to ask for?'
Thank You.
Good morning councilmembers, my name is Karla. Lucerito who is standing behind me and I just graduated from Hoover High School last night and picked up our diplomas this morning.
That’s what I’m holding here as I stand in front of you. I say this to emphasize the importance of what being here in community means to me. After much resilience and dedication and after finding myself in the position of not knowing to do as a career, I feel like I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the support and guidance of orgs like Mid-City CAN, Youth Will, the Women’s Foundation in California, and the CBA (Community Budget Alliance) for investing their time in me and allowing me to participate in their programs. They took me when I had no prior experience or understanding and shaped me to how I am today. This diploma not only shows my academic accomplishment, but it represents all my skills and representation of my community. I stand in front of you on behalf of my community. City Heights has been my home for seventeen years. Teralta Park is where I first learned how to use a swing but as well took my first falls. I would earn my education from our local schools Central Elementary Wilson Middle School and Hoover High School.
However, I also need to see an investment from you all into not only me but our youth and our community. Because we don’t end here. Every year more kids are enrolling into our schools and with all the new housing developments we need to give our families a welcoming space. I want to be able to give all the kids in my community the same opportunities I was given and many more. To know what it is like to have a support system behind them and to know that someone is proud of them of achieving what they choose to do. From the support and education our youth programming has provided such as Mid-City CAN, because they are why I stand in front of you today.
That is why I am asking that you all fully fund the Climate Equity Fund to fund projects like Officer Jeremy Henwood Park. Now that includes you Joe LaCava, Jennifer Campbell, Stephen Whitburn, and Marni von Wilpert. While this issue doesn’t directly benefit your community don’t you care for our youth? Do you want us to succeed? We need to see that you hear us and see us. Thank you.
Anthony's statement read by Salma:
Good morning councilmembers,
My name is Anthony and I am 17 years old and a part of Mid-City CAN’s Youth Council. Today we're here to speak on behalf of our Youth Council as well as community partners from the CBA.
Firstly, I'd like to express my utmost appreciation for the councilmembers that supported us last budget cycle and again those 4 of your who added us into your May Budget Memos released publicly this week. I'd also like to thank you for giving me this platform to speak today. We are here to address our regards for the current budget cuts, as well as inform you of their impact on our youth programs and community parks.
City Heights is a very well-orchestrated community, it's not only vibrant but also diverse. Our parks are at the heart of City Heights, they serve as a means for families to come together and gather, a place for children to play, and most importantly a main host for community events that bring us all together. They go to foster a sense of well-being and belonging for all residents.
However, the budget at hand will undermine said vital community resources. The budget cuts will be the byproduct of reduced improvements and maintenance for our parks, which we already have very little of. Making them less welcoming and ultimately unsafe.
Henwood Park and other community parks in our area already contend with other conflicts such as poor lightning, broken facilities, and inadequate playgrounds. These conditions make it sophisticated for families to be able to use and enjoy these spaces.
Additionally, the budget cuts will severely impact youth programs that are essential for the establishment and good-being of our youth. Programs that provide community engagement opportunities are on the chopping block. Programs like these aren't only beneficial, but they play a main role in helping our youth build a brighter future.
We, Mid-City CAN’s Youth Council, are asking you, our city council representatives, to hear our community's voice. First we request that you fully restore the Climate Equity Fund and use it to allocate $2.5 million towards our revitalization project to help maintain and improve our community park, and to ensure that they remain safe and accessible for everyone. We also urge you to preserve funding for youth programs that help with community involvement, and education.
Investing in our youth programs and parks is investing in the future of City Heights. Because, when we provide safe and well-maintained parks, we are creating areas where children can play, families can come together, and the community can gather. When we endow youth programs, we are giving our youth the tools that they need to nourish and succeed. Our community warrants a budget that supports the safety, health, and growth of our residents. We need a budget that invests in our parks and our youth.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Let's work together to create a brighter future for San Diego.
Janelle's statement was read by Belen (NOTE: ran out of minutes)
Hello, my name is Janelle and I am a here as part of Mid-City CAN's Youth Council.
I am also a recently elected member of the City Heights Area Planning Committee better known as CHAPC and am honored to serve on it as one of its two youth representatives.
I decided to run for this seat because I believe that young people have a unique perspective to bring to the table, and I wanted to be a part of the decision-making process in my community. As a member of this board I have the privilege of sitting alongside other community leaders in making decisions that affect our neighborhood. I also have the responsibility of ensuring that the needs and concerns of young people are heard and addressed. I have this power and responsibility the same way you all have the power to make changes to the city's budget.
That is why I am here today to ask all of you to use your power to fully fund the Climate Equity Fund and allocate funding for the next phase of Henwood Park.
While some of you up there might be able to easily drive and travel to a park in a nicer part of town that isn’t always true for our community. Our community is reliant on public transportation that isn’t always fast or efficient so we tend to stay and go to the park spaces within our community.
Henwood Park is a vital green space in our community that provides a welcoming place for young people to play, learn, and connect with one another.
However, it is currently in need of renovations and upgrades to make it more accessible and sustainable. By allocating funding for the next phase of Henwood Park, we can ensure that this important community resource is preserved and enhanced for generations to come.
We need to take bold action to address the climate crisis that we are facing, and we need to do it in a way that prioritizes equity and justice.
As a young person who has been entrusted with the power to make decisions about our community's future, I urge you to use your power to prioritize climate action and community development. We need your leadership and commitment to create a better future for all of us, particularly for young people who are growing up in our community.
Thank you.
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May 2023 Budget Hearing
Mid-City CAN's Youth Council gave public comment during the FY24 public input budget hearing on May 3 and May 24, 2023 at the City Administration Building. The asked councilmembers to fund their City Heights Urban Village Revitalization Campaign.
Salma
Good evening. My name is Salma. I’m a sophomore at Hoover High School and I live in City Heights. I’m here with Mid-City CAN urging you to support our project to revitalize the city heights urban village that will upgrade City Heights park. The Urban Village includes Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park which is the centerpiece of City Heights, where festivals and events are held every weekend. It is the place in City Heights where the community comes together. And It is a place that I believe not only benefits my family, but many other families transitioning to life in America given that the park is located in City Heights, a hub for immigrant families. The park is in dire need of renovation - the bathrooms lack necessities such as automated faucets, soap dispensers and baby changing stations. The playground structures are unsafe and need to meet National Playground Safety Institute standards. Fresh green grass, more trees, and lights are also needed. When the condition of a park worsens it becomes an unsafe environment that attracts crime. To neglect the park is to neglect the community.
Hoang
Good evening my name is Hoang, I am here on behalf Mid-City CAN Youth Council and I am here in support of Youth Council's Park Revitalization Campaign. The Jeremy Henwood Park and urban village area is left mostly unmaintained despite the amount of events hosted on its grounds. This park is a staple for our community and the lack of care and attention it receives shows the lack of care in our communities. I come here to ask that the City Council and Mayor allocate 1 million Dollars towards the City Heights Park Revitalization Project.
Aysia
My name is Aysia. I am an 18-year-old senior and a member of Mid-City CAN’s Youth Council. I am here to ask our 1 million dollar campaign to ask for the City Heights Urban Village revitalization campaign to be included in this year's budget.
I currently reside in District 7, but I was raised in City Heights which is where the majority of my family still lives.
City Heights is a diverse community full of minority and immigrant families and this park is the place that my cousins and I would go to and play together at the playground. It is right next to my former school, Rosa Parks Elementary, which made this the go to spot to spend time with my friends after school. This park has been used to host many events such as festivals and protests and it's a place where our community comes together.
Unfortunately, it’s now in dire need of renovation. Since I've grown older and moved out of city heights, I have noticed the disparities when comparing it to other parks in my current district. They have safe play structures, swings, even basketball courts, yet our park in city heights has been blocked off with caution tape and traffic signs.
If you care for the well-being of children to be able to play in a safe and clean space, I hope you consider fully funding our campaign because you will be helping so many children in district 9 and you will be able to provide children in city heights a clean and safe park that they deserve. Thank you for your time.
Alan
Good evening, councilmembers.
My name is Alan. I am a 15-year-old Youth Council member, a current resident of City Heights, and am represented by Council President Sean Elo-Rivera. I am here today urging every councilmember and the mayor to support our Campaign ask by investing $1 million or just 0.02 percent of City of San Diego’s Total upcoming 2024 budget towards Youth Council's City Heights Urban Village Revitalization Campaign.
For those of you unfamiliar with the space. The area is surrounded by the City Heights rec center, Rosa Parks Elementary, and the City Heights Library. It is a community and a space where my friends and I created some of our fondest memories that I still hold dearly.
As of now, the park space, playgrounds and bathrooms have all been neglected. The playgrounds do not hold up to the standards set by the National Playground Safety Institute, the bathrooms are left in a worrying state. Improvements to the greenery, seating availability, and shading need to be made as well.
City Heights already lacks sufficient park space compared to other communities in San Diego, and all we ask is that you support our plan to maintain and improve the Urban Village Park.
Thank you for your time.
Karlita
Hello my name is Karla. I am a Junior at Hoover High School and a member of Mid-City CAN’s Youth Council. Our Campaign to Revitalize the City Heights Urban Village includes updating the Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park and the surrounding areas such as play structures, bathroom, and adding new trees and new grass.
I have lived in City Heights my entire life. It’s my community and so is the park. Events are a huge part of the park as well as coming together and learning about each other such as culture and who we are.
But it is unjust and unfair to us and the park itself that the bathrooms are not up to shape and have an eerie feeling whenever we walk into the bathroom.
Since I was a child I would go along with my child like friends to the park and I always Remember my mother having to tell us to use the bathroom at home because the bathrooms at the park are nasty.
We would have to leave if we had to use the park as for not wanting to use the restrooms for how poor conditioned they are.
For many years the playgrounds were unusable or a safety hazard. Each year new kids in our neighborhood start to play in these play structures which I played as well many years ago.
Are we waiting for parts to break off or a accident to led to severe injury to give a proper safety update to the structures?
By updating the park not only are we preventing obstacles such as the bathroom issues mentioned but safer play structure. As well as adding more trees and grass making our park greener. Thank you.
Gabby
Hello San Diego City Council,
I am Gabrielle and I am a 7th grader at Pershing Middle School located in District 7 and a member of Mid-City CAN’s Youth Council.
I am here to ask that our $750k ask for the Revitalization of the City Heights Urban Village which includes Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park be fully funded in this year's budget.
City heights is a community with People of color and is know as the most Diverse area of San Diego.
It is the home to many immigrants and fugitives from all across the globe and many other people who are under privilege. In today's society.
When leaving these communities undefended you are leaving the people here in danger not being able to go to community spaces that are meant for them to go to such as parks.
That is why it's very vital that you support our cause and allocate 750k Towards the realization of the City Heights Urban Village.
Thank you for taking the time to listen.
Ashley
Good evening, City Councilmembers,
My name is Ashley and I'm a student from Hoover High School and a resident of City Heights. As part of Youth Councils campaign, we are request for the allocation of $1 Million dollars towards basic needs like maintaining the grass, bathrooms and ensuring we refurbish the playgrounds, so they are safe. Park space within City Heights is already limited and park spaces like this one are crucial to the youth's development in the neighborhood. As many of you can recollect, when you look back to your childhood, I'm sure you'll have fond memories of outdoor play. This new generation and those after deserve those experiences just as much. Children should not be stuck cramped in houses, only being able to use their electronic devices. In urbanized neighborhoods, many lack access to these safe environments. So, I stand here today, not as one of the first, and especially not last, to give you this ask; can you make the commitment to fully fund the revitalization of City Heights Urban Village?
Thank you for your attention and time.
Ezra
Good evening. My name is Ezra, I’m a 16 year old member of Mid-City CAN's Youth Council and I live in District 3 represented by Stephen Whitburn. I’m here today in support of youth council’s City Heights Urban Village Project that will bring much needed attention to the officer Jeremy henwood memorial park. In its current state the park’s playgrounds pose a public safety issue as they are not up to National Playground Safety institute standards, and the parks bathrooms desperately require attention as they lack basic sanitary necessities such as automated faucets, soap dispensers, and baby changing stations. Other areas of the Urban Village have also fallen into disrepair and are in need of fresh green grass, new lights, and more trees and greenery. Revitalizing the park will drastically improve the quality of life for city heights communities as their main cultural festival and event grounds become more friendly to the park goers. I hope that you listen to what the community has to say and invest a million dollars, a mere 0.02% of this years budget, in Youth Council’s project to support the city heights community. Thank you.
Victor
Good afternoon, San Diego City Council,
My name is Victor, and I am the Youth Organizer at Mid-City CAN’s and a coalition member of the Community Budget Alliance.
Thank you to the councilmembers that have continued to fight for the CBA items that were ignored by the Mayor.
An even bigger thank you for those that listened to our Youth and included the 750k for City Heights Urban Village Revitalization Campaign in their budget modification memo's and recognize the importance of park for their communities.
Recently the Park Score Index ranked San Diego as the 24th ranked City out of the 100 largest Cities in the Nation.
At a surface level we saw San Diego climb 5 spots over last years report, but a deeper dive into the report shows that our cities lowest score was in the equity category.
When looking at just our equity category for this report we drop all the way to the 74th ranking.
It's time to make communities impacted by systematic discrimination and underfunding the City’s top priority.
Do this by fully funding the 750k City Heights Urban Village campaign brought on by Mid-City CAN’s Youth Council as well as funding the other Youth centered ask brought on by the CBA for the Youth Drop in Centers and for the Youth Commissioners.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Click here to see photos and here for the first session.
Yasmine
Zam Zam
George
Youth Council members George, Ezra, Salma, and Aysia, with Mid-City CAN staff Victor, and Ariana.
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