Parks After Dark Success Stories

Please enjoy the following Parks After Dark stories; they represent wonderful feelings from Parks After Dark participants about their experience this summer!

When asked what he likes most about Parks After Dark, a father of 3 shared how it helps them financially and ensures that the kids have a third meal for the day. Additionally, he explained that he would normally not be able to afford to purchase from a food truck, so it is something special for his children.

A mother with the two children said that she loves Park After Dark and it gives her children a safe environment to enjoy the outside and bond with others, which is something they were missing during the pandemic.  She also said that her kids don’t get enough time outside unless involved in sports programs which can be very expensive, and that this is a great program for lower income families.

One mother shared that she gets up at 4am to go to work every day and at Parks After Dark, she could take time to rest while her husband was taking care of the children who were playing inside the jumper.

A mother shared her story of how she grew up near the park and how her brothers, who have been to jail, used to be in gangs hanging at the park. She loves Park After Dark and her sons play soccer at the same park with Park and Recreation. She said how her sons and her family have a better life and their positive experiences they have had now at the same park.

A mother and father shared that they loved their Skyline PAD so much, they decided to visit other PAD sites and discover new neighborhoods.

When asked what their favorite thing about PAD was, two teenagers told us that they felt they were at a fair like Del Mar, but this was in their neighborhood, and it did not cost them anything!

A group of skateboarders shared that they never really feel welcome anywhere outside of the Memorial Skate Park. These kids were welcomed to Memorial PAD and were surprised when they were given food. They hung out, participated in all the activities, and planned on coming back the next day!