Trailblazing at the San Diego Park and Rec 2025 MLK Day Celebration.
We’re coming to the Celebration.
We will be at the celebration 11am-4pm because want our community to help us create a walking path that celebrates Encanto’s culture and diversity.
Why This is Important
• Health & Mental Well-being: A well-designed, walkable space promotes physical activity and mental health for everyone in the community.
• Environmental Impact: Revamping the trail with eco-friendly features will support sustainability and reduce pollution.
• Community Connection: By bringing people together, the trail will become a hub for art, culture, and performances, strengthening local ties.
• Where is the Trail Located?
The trail begins at the entrance to the Valencia Business Park and ends at 54th street.
• Current Condition: Overgrown with weeds, graffiti, and broken fences, creating safety hazards.
• Nearby Landmarks: The trail runs along the creek, near the post office and trolley tracks, making it an accessible spot for the community.
• Why It Needs Change: It’s become an environmental hazard and is unsafe due to fire risks and neglect. We need your help to make it a space that benefits everyone!
Stop by our booth between 11am and 4pm
Learn about our project. Join our student-led project to redesign the Encanto trail into a safer, greener, and more community-centered space.
Show your support. Add your leaf to our Community Commitment Tree
Make a Tile for the Trail. Create your tile to add to the mosaic mural we will place on the trail.
• Testimonial : “When I met with the youth and they told me about the Fix the Trail campaign, I knew I had to support it. These young people have shown incredible leadership, and I’m committed to helping secure the necessary funds to clean up the trail and make it safe for everyone.”– Henry Foster III Councilmember San Diego City Council District 4
How to Get Involved with the project:
o Share your ideas and/or resources.
o Help us plan or support the trail cleanup and restoration.
o Bring your expertise in history, design, art, small business development or community outreach.
• Contact Us: Sandra Dryden
The Encanto Trailblazers: Transforming Neglect into Opportunity
The Encanto Trailblazers Project: Transforming The Walking Trail
The Encanto Trailblazers: Transforming Neglect into Opportunity
What if a neglected trail in the heart of Encanto could become a vibrant symbol of community pride and history? That’s the vision driving a group of student leaders working with Power Up With Youth. Their ambitious plan: to turn an unsafe, overgrown path into a History Walk that celebrates Encanto’s rich heritage while fostering health, safety, and sustainability.
It all started during the 2024 voter turnout project. One afternoon, the committee leader and the lead student ambassador met at the Encanto post office, where they noticed the trail next to it. As they walked along the path, the student was horrified by what they saw.
What had once been designed as a safe and scenic route for the neighborhood was now in ruins. Overgrown weeds and dying brush overwhelmed the trail. Graffiti marred the fencing and large stones intended for seating. Trash and a discarded mattress littered the area, while homeless encampments lined the path. Without lighting, the trail became dangerous at night, and gaps in the fence posed serious safety risks near the trolley line and steep drop-offs into Chollas Creek.
But even amid its flaws, the student saw potential. This forgotten space could become a vibrant corridor connecting the community, telling Encanto’s story, and creating a safe place to gather. Inspired by this vision, the student shared their ideas with the rest of the team, and the momentum began to grow.
Supported by their mentors, the Power Up Committee, and their teachers, six student leaders decided to take action. They envisioned transforming the neglected trail into a History Walk: a beautiful, welcoming space where the community’s history could be celebrated, and residents could feel proud.
The team named themselves the Power Up With Youth Encanto Trailblazers and got to work. To turn their vision into reality, the students reached out to their District 4 Council Member, Henry Foster. They shared their concerns, their vision for change, and their plans for the trail. Council Member Foster, moved by their determination, pledged his support. He also agreed to advocate for funding from the San Diego Mayor to help bring the project to life.
This collaboration with local government fueled the students’ energy and confidence. The project was ambitious, but their experience with voter turnout campaigns taught them an invaluable lesson: young people can create meaningful change when they unite with their community.
Now, the Encanto Trailblazers are rallying support to transform the trail into a thriving community space that celebrates Encanto’s legacy and bright future.
How You Can Help
The Encanto Trailblazers cannot achieve this dream alone. They need the support of passionate, dedicated individuals who believe in the power of community.
Ways to Get Involved:
• Share your ideas and resources.
• Join or support the trail cleanup and restoration efforts.
• Offer expertise in history, design, art, or community outreach.
Let’s work together to turn this neglected space into a beacon of pride for Encanto.
Contact Us:
[Your Name]
[Your Email] | [Your Phone Number]
With your help, the Encanto Trailblazers can create a safer, more vibrant trail that inspires everyone who walks it.
Join us in making this vision a reality!
What if a neglected walking trail in the heart of Encanto could become a vibrant symbol of community pride and history? That’s the vision driving a group of student leaders working with Power Up With Youth. Their ambitious plan: to turn an unsafe, overgrown path into a History Walk that celebrates Encanto’s rich heritage while fostering health, safety, and sustainability.
It all started during the 2024 Power uPWithYOUth voter turnout project. One afternoon, the committee leader and the lead student ambassador met at the Encanto post office, where they noticed the trail next to it. As they walked along the path, the student was horrified by what they saw.
What had once been designed as a safe and scenic route for the neighborhood was now in ruins. Overgrown weeds and dying brush overwhelmed the trail. Graffiti marred the fencing and large stones intended for seating. Trash and a discarded mattress littered the area, while homeless encampments lined the path. Without lighting, the trail became dangerous at night, and gaps in the fence posed serious safety risks near the trolley line and steep drop-offs into Chollas Creek.
But even amid its flaws, the student saw potential. This forgotten space could become a vibrant corridor connecting the community, telling Encanto’s story, and creating a safe place to gather. Inspired by this vision, the student shared their ideas with the rest of the team, and the momentum began to grow.
Supported by their mentors, the Power Up Committee, and their teachers, six student leaders decided to take action. They envisioned transforming the neglected trail into a History Walk: a beautiful, welcoming space where the community’s history could be celebrated, and residents could feel proud.
The team named themselves the Power Up With Youth Encanto Trailblazers and got to work. To turn their vision into reality, the students reached out to their District 4 Council Member, Henry Foster. They shared their concerns, their vision for change, and their plans for the trail. Council Member Foster, moved by their determination, pledged his support. He also agreed to advocate for funding from the San Diego Mayor to help bring the project to life.
This collaboration with local government fueled the students’ energy and confidence. The project was ambitious, but their experience with voter turnout campaigns taught them an invaluable lesson: young people can create meaningful change when they unite with their community.
Now, the Encanto Trailblazers are rallying support to transform the trail into a thriving community space that celebrates Encanto’s legacy and bright future.
How You Can Help
The Encanto Trailblazers cannot achieve this dream alone. They need the support of passionate, dedicated individuals who believe in the power of community.
Ways to Get Involved:
• Share your ideas and resources.
• Join or support the trail cleanup and restoration efforts.
• Offer expertise in history, design, art, or community outreach.
Let’s work together to turn this neglected space into a beacon of pride for Encanto.
For More information see our programs page
Contact Us:
Sandra Dryden, Coordinator or Henry Anderson III Lead Student Ambassador
With your help, the Encanto Trailblazers can create a safer, more vibrant trail that inspires everyone who walks it. Join us in making this vision a reality!
EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH- SHAPING OUR FUTURE
It all begins with an idea.
Welcome to Power uP With YOUth San Diego. We are a grassroots initiative with the mission to inspire educate and equip young leaders to thrive, make a difference through advocacy and action and realize the vision of a better tomorrow.
About us: We believe in the power of youth leadership. We work together to guide, inspire and advocate for young leaders ensuring they have the tools, opportunities, and support to unlock their unique potential to be changemakers and create inclusive, equitable systems for a better future.
• Learn About Us about us
• Join the Movement Get Involved
Explore Power uP Programs Our programs and campaign initiatives target young leaders from underserved backgrounds encouraging and educating them to empower their unique strengths confidence, skills, and purpose to drive change, promote justice, strengthen democracy.
From leadership development in schools to community advocacy, our programs are designed for the next generation to have fun with the purpose to create real change, and make a lasting impact.
Programs
• Learn about Power uP events
We go to the places where decisions are made, community voices are heard, and change happens. See what we’ve accomplished and check out our upcoming events
button: Power up our presence at the table
Our Impact” → (leads to the events page)
Get Involved: Power uP our ability to make a difference in the personal success of our youth and collective progress of our community.
Button Join the Movement” → (Leads to Get Involved page)
become a volunteer
become a mentor
partner with us
sponsor a program
Donate Powers uP our programs and help us achieve our mission. Every contribution counts Donate now!
Contact Us powerupwithyouth@gmail.com
Our Goal: uP The Turnout
It all begins with an idea.
Power Up with Youth: Energizing Communities Through Civic Engagement
In our inaugural year, Power Up with Youth has set out to inspire a new generation of civic leaders by fostering awareness, education, and empowerment. Partnering with the BAPACSD Foundation, our first campaign, Up the Turnout, focused on increasing voter participation and strengthening community bonds. This initiative will engage youth aged 10–17 in meaningful activities designed to educate and energize their circles of influence.
Our vision is rooted in the belief that empowering youth to understand the democratic process will inspire them to create lasting change. During Up the Turnout, students will learn about voting rights, voter registration, and the vote-by-mail process, while participating in activities to influence eligible voters in their communities. Collaboration will play a vital role in their success. We will partner with local schools and organizations to create a network of support to maximize the campaign’s reach
Their outreach will be to their peers at their school, their friends and family members. They will encourage registration and participation using the vote by mail process.
Through our partnership with the BAPACSD Foundation, we will host workshops that combine voter education with interactive activities.
Power Up with Youth’s mission is more than just increasing voter turnout; it’s about fostering a culture of informed and engaged citizens. By equipping youth with the tools to educate others, we’re laying the groundwork for lifelong civic participation.
As we reflect on our first year, we are inspired by the enthusiasm and dedication of our youth leaders. Together, we’re building a future where every voice matters and every vote counts.