A field trip that sparks a new career path. A kayak paddle down the Los Angeles River. A circus workshop in the park down the street. However people first meet California’s parks, that first experience can be the one that lasts.
Through our Route to Parks and Arts in California Parks grant programs, we support organizations helping people discover the outdoors in ways that fit their lives — turning a single visit into the start of something ongoing.
Building a lifelong connection to nature
For Route to Parks grantee Community Nature Connection, time outdoors is a chance for youth to reflect, reconnect and recharge — together.
Its field trip program To Nature and Nurture Ourselves brings youth together for a multi-week program, from team building at Vista Hermosa Park to exploring California State Parks, kayaking the Los Angeles River and camping at Malibu Creek State Park.
These field trips introduce youth to community advocacy, park and conservation careers, recreation and free play as well as collective care, reflection and wellness practices. Through these experiences, participants spark conversations about water and wellness, climate resilience, the role of parks, self-care and the Indigenous history woven into these special places.
“Taking care of the trees and oceans is taking care of breath,” said Delaney Alamillo, executive director of Community Nature Connection. “Taking care of the watersheds is taking care of hydration and sustenance. Taking care of the land is taking care of the shelter. Taking care of our flora and fauna is taking care of our family.”
Making outdoor experiences more accessible
At Hearts for Sight Foundation — a Route to Parks grantee — removing barriers to the outdoors is central to its mission. People who are blind or have low vision often face barriers to exercise, outdoor recreation, transportation and community programs.
The White Cane Access to California State Parks project opens doors to outdoor experiences that have been difficult to access. Guided hikes, camping trips and nature-based gatherings give participants the chance to be active, explore new places, reduce stress and connect with others.
These experiences help participants build relationships to nature and foster a sense of belonging. When people feel welcomed and create meaningful memories, they’re more likely to care for these special places.
“When we protect California’s natural spaces and make them available to everyone, we are caring for ourselves and one another,” said Racquel Decipeda, co-founder of Hearts for Sight Foundation.
Getting youth outside early
To Route to Parks grantee Institute for Public Strategies, working hand in hand with communities means creating the conditions everyone needs to thrive: access to healthy food and outdoor spaces, opportunities for connection and belonging and pathways for young people to shape their futures.
The Meet M.E. Outdoors project helps break down barriers to nature, giving youth and families the chance to build healthier relationships with themselves, each other and the land by experiencing California’s public spaces.
With engaging trips focused on inclusive and responsible recreation, the program is helping grow the next generation of leaders who will champion thriving parks for everyone in California.
“Access to safe and welcoming outdoor spaces supports physical and mental well-being and helps foster a sense of belonging and community connection,” said Dane Bolding, project manager at Institute for Public Strategies.
Bringing joy to neighborhood parks
At Arts in California Parks grantee Fern Street Community Arts, circus arts begin with trust and physical skill-building. Through circus arts, students build strength, flexibility, coordination and body awareness. Before they can build confidence, try something new or trust a coach, students need to feel safe — both physically and emotionally.
Performances serve as a reason to gather and celebrate, adding joy and vibrance to the community. Free performances in public neighborhood parks make it easy for all to join.
“Every time we perform in a shared community space, it reinforces that these spaces belong to everyone, strengthening the connection between people and the places meant to serve them,” said John Highkin, co-founder of Fern Street Circus. “A kid who feels safe, seen and capable in a shared space grows into someone who wants to take care of that space and the people in it.”
There’s more than one way
These four organizations — and hundreds like them across the state — show what access can look like when it meets people where they are. Not everyone comes to nature by trail. Sometimes it’s a paddle, a stage, a guide who knows the path better than a map does. However someone steps into California’s parks, that first moment can become the start of something they keep coming back to. For the people still looking for their way in, the door is open — and it doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.