The grand opening of Ensen Community Park is a celebration for humans and for nature.

Celia Jimenéz here, soaking up the warm September weather, reminded again that fall is often the nicest time to enjoy summer in Monterey County. 

One new addition to a region rich in parks is Ensen Community Park in Salinas. A neighborhood park with picnic areas, play structures, a dog park and other amenities opened last year. Tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 20, officials and community members will celebrate the opening of the rest of the property, a much larger 67-acre restoration area. 

My colleague Royvi Hernandez, staff writer for Salinas Valley Now, got a preview tour of the expansion area and she captures some of that experience in a feature story that appears in the week’s edition of the Weekly. 

This restoration project has transformed a significant portion of the Carr Lake Basin into a space for all residents—including both humans and wildlife—to enjoy. 

“In a place where there’s a lack of open space and opportunities for families to be in nature together, this area is meant to be a refuge for people and for wildlife,” Big Sur Land Trust Director of Conservation Rachel Saunders told Hernandez. There are 1.7 miles of trails through restored grassland and wetland habitat. I have not walked it yet, but Hernandez did. 

In her story, Hernandez vividly brings readers to the park, describing the singing of birds, the wind passing through, and the different paths people can take as they explore. She also covers the history of this place and what it took to make this park what it is today. 

This park is great news for Salinas residents, who deserve more green areas and recreational space. 

About 1,500 people showed up when the first phase of the park opened to fanfare, and was transferred from the nonprofit Big Sur Land Trust to the City of Salinas. A similar celebration is scheduled for tomorrow from 11am-3pm, with a ribbon-cutting at noon. Expect performances, speeches, community information and a festive atmosphere. 

If you attend tomorrow’s opening, or go for a walk sometime in the future at this new park, I’d love to hear about your experience.