Welcome to Power Up with YOUth
                Click to help shape our future            

                        - Follow our Progress    - Complete our Survey!
-Email powerupwithyouth@gmail.com and put “Trail Survey” in the subject line

Power Up Trailblazers
Transforming The Trail

The Present: The 1 mile stretch from Valencia Business Park (site of the 92114 Earl B. Gilliam Post Office) to Market Creek Plaza is dangerous to residents and visitors. Overgrown vegetation, debris, and broken fences that create access points from the walking trail to the creek. The area recently experienced a fire believed to have been caused by the unhoused people living in that portion of the creek and on the trail.

The Power Up With YOUth organization is undertaking a Transform the Trail initiative designed to empower students age 10-17 to engage in hands on restoration and revitalization of the trail and the Encanto section of Chollas Creek.

We have formed partnerships with 4th District Councilmember Henry Foster, 8 SDUSD schools, the MTM Earth Lab, the Elementary Institute of Science, The San Diego Organizing Project, Groundwork San Diego and the San Diego Energy Equity Center …….and we’re adding more partners every day. Come join us!

Together we will propose enhancements to the creek and the trail that will promote healthy lifestyles, highlight Encanto's culture, implement and maintain a sustainable energy efficient landscape, and stimulate economic growth.

Mission: develop a strategy to transform the Encanto Walking Trail from
its present life as a dangerous trail to realize its potential as a
community treasure.

Vision : Create a sustainable and healthy exercise, recreation,
commuting and cultural space reflective of community desires
and tourists interests.

It’s a win-win
The benefits to our residents

- better health and well-being - Preserve our Identity
- promote our culture and our history - Build unity
- Educate and inspire - Boost Local Pride
- Attract investment - Attract visitors

The benefits to our leaders :
- enhanced credibility and trust - serving community needs
- community collaboration - stronger relationships
- attract resources and support - prove effective leadership
- drive long term positive change - fulfillment and accomplishment
- community gratitude - inspiring future leaders
- personal growth

The benefits to our students and youth
- honor the legacy of past leaders
- learn firsthand how government works
- have a real-world lesson in the power of civic engagement
- create their own legacy
- develop and implement a strategy for change NOW
- level up their life skills, standards, confidence, resilience,
connections and impact
- discover their passions and their purpose

The benefits to our supporters

- inprove your visibility
- Enhance your reputation and relationships
- Design and resource the transformation
- Collaborate with the like minded
- Expand your network
- Mentor and develop leaders
- Be recognized and promoted
- Contribute to community well-being

Join us and help shape the future

- complete the power up website survey today!
Make your response.
Put “ Trail Survey” in the subject line
Email to powerupwithyouth@gmail.com

- Share Your Story. Have you used the trail? Let us know why fixing
it matters to you.
Draft your response.
Put “ The Trail Matters” in the subject line
Email to powerupwithyouth@gmail.com

- Attend a community or city meeting.
Stand with our students as they present their findings to government
and community leaders.

We identified at least 20 committees that could be involved.
We can’t be everywhere. We need you to attend in person or online.

- Spread the Word. Help us build momentum by sharing this initiative
with friends, family, and neighbors.

- Mentor & Network. Give youth the benefit of your experience and
your contacts in government, advocacy, community organizing, or
public works who can help.

- Offer Your Skill. Students will need guidance in
… designing safe, healthy, natural and environmentally
sustainable outdoor spaces
… public speaking
… writing persuasive arguments
… media outreach
… community engagement
… digital communications and graphic arts

- Donate or Volunteer.

We’d love to hear from you! Let’s Make a Difference Together!

Democracy thrives when people get involved.

Let’s show our students and our city that when we come together, we can make a real impact.
Join us in making our community trail safe and accessible for everyone!


Our Pledge:
- Help our youth
- Improve the space. The current 2015 Encanto Community
Plan for the 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

* learn about natural and environmentally healthy spaces
(see the Earth Lab)

- 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 Progress
Where we are

• Advocating for funding and action to restore the trail in 2025.
• Working to identify all the parties involved with making and
implementing the San Diego Master Plans for the trail.
• Forming partnerships with like-minded organizations to increase
our capacity.

Our Partners

  • San Diego City Council District 4 Councilmember Henry L. Foster who will advocate for funds and suport the project.
    “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:
• Take our survey on line
• Volunteer or become a mentor.
• Share your ideas, time, talent, treasure, network and resources.
• Help us plan or support the trail restoration and transformation.
• Become a partner and share your expertise in history, design, the
arts and sciences, small business development or community
outreach.
• Visit our get involved page for ideas.
• Contact Us: powerupwithyouth@gmail.com

* Our history * Our schools activities * Our community outreach
* Our Vote-by-mail Events * Our voter education materials
* Our Celebration