After an extensive community-based process that began in July 2023, we are excited to reveal that the name of the future park in the center of Salinas is Ensen Community Park! “Ensen” is an Indigenous word which means blackberry. The name was suggested by Louise J. Miranda Ramirez, Tribal Chairwoman of the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation (OCEN). Blackberries were an important food source for Indigenous peoples in the area known as Carr Lake.

Big Sur Land Trust felt it was fitting that community members name this park, located on our 73-acre site at Carr Lake. Initially, 245 community members suggested over 400 names through online surveys and community meetings. A naming committee reviewed the submissions and identified the top three names for the community park: Ensen, Nikkei, and Carr Lake. During the final online survey in early 2024, 966 people participated and “Ensen Community Park” received the most support because respondents felt it was important to honor the history of the original peoples and their relationship with this land.

During the naming process, we also learned of the history of Nikkei (Japanese Americans and their descendants). We feel it is also important to honor Nikkei who farmed in the Salinas Valley (and specifically at the project site) and who contributed to the thriving agricultural and business community in the Salinas Valley. We look forward to working with the Japanese American community to determine the best way to acknowledge their history at the park.

We are very grateful to everyone who participated over many months, and to the individuals representing different areas of the city who served on the naming committee. We are also very inspired that residents of all ages – and community leaders – continue to take action to make this long-held dream of a park in the heart of Salinas a reality!

Thank you,

P.S. We’re holding a volunteer event at the park site on Saturday, March 9! With all the recent rains, the native plant garden is thriving and so are the weeds! Please come out and help us hand pull invasive plant species and pick up litter. Sign up >>