Grand Opening of the Neighborhood Park at Ensen Community Park | August 17
2025-08-17 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas, CA, 93906
Join Big Sur Land Trust, the City of Salinas, and the Center for Community Advocacy for the Grand Opening of the Neighborhood Park at Ensen Community Park!When:
Sunday, August 17
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Where:
99 La Posada Drive
Salinas, CA 93906 Event Parking:
Mount Toro High School
10 Sherwood Place
Salinas, CA 93906 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
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11:00 AM
- ZUMBA with Martha Grimes (Amphitheater)
- Bird Watching with Monterey Audubon (Meet at Ensen Arch)
11:30 AM
- Overview of 67-Acre Habitat Restoration Project with Rachel Saunders, VP of Conservation (Meet at Ensen Arch)
- Ballet Folklorico Performance by Alisal Center for Fine Arts (Amphitheater)
12:00 PM
- Indigenous Land Blessing with Ohlone/Costanoan Esselen Nation Tribal Chairwoman Louise Ramirez (Amphitheater)
- Bird Watching with the Bird School Project (Meet at Ensen Arch)
- Blue Zones Project Monterey County Fitness Walk/Walking Moai (Meet at Ensen Arch)
12:30 PM
- Formal Speaking Program (Amphitheater)
- Invited Speakers: Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis (CEO/President – BSLT), Joel Hernandez (Executive Director – CCA), Dennis Donohue (Mayor – City of Salinas), Robert Rivas (Speaker of the California State Assembly - pending), John Laird (California State Senator), Gloria Sandoval (Deputy Secretary for Access - California Natural Resources Agency), Armando Quintero (Director - California Department of Parks and Recreation), Amy Hutzel (Executive Officer - California Coastal Conservancy), Dr. Jen Norris (Executive Director- The Wildlife Conservation Board), Colleen Bailey (President/CEO – Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce)
- Emcee: Esmerelda Owen | DJ: Hanif Wondir
1:00 PM
- Formal Speaking Program – Continued (Amphitheater)
- Skate Park Demo with Krown Skate Shop (Skate Spot)
1:30 PM
- Ribbon Cutting with Salinas Valley Chamber (Ensen Arch)
- Skate Park Demo with Krown Skate Shop – Continued (Skate Spot)
- Native Plant Activity with Habitat Stewardship Project (meet near Ensen Arch)
2:00 PM
- Alfred Diaz-Infante Trail Dedication (meet at Ensen Arch)
- Skate Park Demo with Krown Skate Shop – Continued (Skate Spot)
2:30 PM
- Native Plant Activity with Habitat Stewardship Project (meet near Ensen Arch)
- Skate Park Demo with Krown Skate Shop – Continued (Skate Spot) ONGOING ACTIVITIES:
Food & Beverage Trucks (North Parking Lot) — Gorditos Tacos, Tacos el Jerry, Cal Water
Community Resources (North Parking Lot) — Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic, Pacific Grove Natural History Museum ‘Wonder on Wheels’, City of Salinas Library Van
Exhibitors: AMOR Salinas, Bird School Project, Blue Zones Project Monterey County, California Conservation Core, Center for Community Advocacy / “Friends of Ensen Community Park” Group, City of Salinas Recreation and Community Services, USFWS – Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge, Habitat Stewardship Project, Hijos del Sol, Hitchcock Animal Services, KAZU, Monterey Audubon Society, Monterey County Health Department, Monterey County Solidarity Network, SPCA, SPCA – Wildlife Center, Urban Arts Collaborative
Basketball and Pickleball Demos with the City of Salinas Recreation Department (Sport Courts)
Facepainting (Lawn near playground)
Playground & Dog Park Open! QUESTIONS?
Please contact Burke Boynton at bboynton@bigsurlandtrust.org.
For more information on the history and funding of the Ensen Community Park project, please click here and review our FAQ document.
EVENT PARTNERS: THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS
Neighborhood Stewards Park Supporters Media & Event Supporters

Salinas River Day Celebration | September 20
2025-09-20 09:00 - 16:00 | CA
Saturday, September 20
9:00am – 4:00pm
Nob Hill Foods, Salinas
In honor of Latino Conservation Week, join us on Saturday, September 20 for a field trip to celebrate the Salinas River, which is the backbone of the Salinas Valley.
During the field trip, enjoy a day of recreation, art, exploration and reflection on our public lands. We will also hear from experts about the history, hydrology, ecology, conservation of the Salinas River, and ways to care for the river through nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, and environmental justice.
Register >>

Monterey Bay Half Marathon BSLT Green Team | November 9
2025-11-09 09:30 - 14:30 | CA
Big Sur Land Trust is proud to be among the over 50 community groups that volunteer to make the Monterey Bay Half Marathon a sustainable and eco-friendly event each fall. This partnership is a joyful part of our work for healthy lands, healthy people, and healthy communities.
On Sunday, November 9 volunteer on the Monterey Bay Half Marathon’s ‘Green Team’ on behalf of Big Sur Land Trust, as we help the event ‘leave no trace’ by sweeping the start/finish and entire course of litter. Please sign up here using the password BSLT.
Kids are welcome (they do not need an RSVP) but must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers should bring snacks, lunch, water, and sun protection.
Register here >>

Race for Open Space 2026 | May 9
2026-05-09 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Each spring, people of all ages and fitness levels join Big Sur Land Trust’s Race for Open Space—our largest annual community event. In 2025, over 300 runners, hikers, and walkers joined us to raise funds for the lands we all love in Monterey County.
Next year, the event will continue to offer multiple courses to experience conserved lands that are not usually open to the public. Whether you want to go deep into the backcountry, take it easier along shorter courses, run solo, walk with a group, or just cheer on your family and friends, the Race for Open Space has something for you!

Palo Corona to South Bank Trail 1-mile Fun Run
Palo Corona Front Ranch Lollipop 5K
Palo Corona to Whisler Wilson Out-and-Back 12K
Palo Corona to Williams Canyon Out-and-Back 25K
Lunch Bench Lollipop 35K

Thanks to our continued partners at Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, Inside Trail, and Alvarado Street Brewery.
Learn more >>
