TRAILBLAZERS HISTORY

The beginning
The first Power Up With Youth project was “uP The Turnout”. When the Power Up youth went to drop vote by mail ballots at the 92114 post office, they noticed a constructed trail next to it.

The Condition Overgrown plants, litter, graffiti and uneven surfaces made it unattractive, unsafe, unsustainable and unusable - even in the daytime.

Their Reaction They were appalled and saddened by what they saw. The post office was in disrepair and the pathway that had been constructed for our community to use and enjoy had been allowed to become neglected damaged and dangerous.

Their Response They also saw the trail as an opportunity. Instead of just talking about the failure of government, our students are stepping up to fix the situation. The lead Youth Student ambassador said “ Our aim is to clean up, hook up, fix up and lively up this trail”

Their Vision They have a vision to create a vital healthy space for exercise, recreation, and commuting. The lead Youth student ambassador said

“Our mission is to transform the Encanto Walking Trail from a dangerous trail to a community treasure.”

“We will make a safe and vibrant space for nature walks, community gatherings, local activities that everyone, residents and tourists, will want to visit.”

Their “ASK” They asked for our help. Of course, we said YES. We adopted their “Transform The Trail” as our second project.

Our Pledge:
- Help our youth
- Improve the space. The current 2015 Encanto Community
Plan for th trail is shown on
* (page 149) 'Figure 7-3:    Open Space and Trail System'  

* (page 154).  'Figure 7-6: Chollas Creek Detail 3'

* (page 83) the Plan’s Urban Design Goals

- Build a bridge Connect the Encanto Walking Trail with
Market Creek Plaza to the west and
San Diego Black Arts and Culture District to the east.

- Celebrate Honor the people and cultural history of Encanto
- Keep the space Ensure our community continues to have a
healthy safe and environmentally sustainable space for exercise
and relaxation while enjoying and experiencing nature
- Provide opportunity for Power Up youth leaders to use the
next 4 years to power up their skills and capitalize on the history
and gains they made during during their 2024 election’s historic
“uP the Turnout " campaign.
- fast track the project to culminate in 2028, coinciding with the
next general election when some of them will be eligible to vote or
run for office..

Our Outreach
- We engaged Our Community at the San Diego Park and Recreation
Department’s 2025 MLK Day Celebration.  Those who stopped by
our booth were able to
• Make their leaf for our Community Commitment Tree
• Make their Tile to add to the mosaic mural that we will place on
the trail.
• Take our survey to let us know their vision of what they would
like to experience on the trail.

- We introduced our project to the Chollas Valley Community
Planning Group (CVCPG)

- We met with the San Diego City Development Historical Resources
Department to understand the past and prepare for the future