The transition from summer back to the school year is upon us. Backpacks have replaced beach bags and light summer reads are now dense textbooks. 

At the City, this shift is marked, in part, by the end of our Parks After Dark program, which wrapped up this weekend after serving more than 30,000 community members in neighborhoods across San Diego.  

A partnership between the City, the County, Price Philanthropies and the San Diego Parks Foundation, Parks After Dark activated parks and recreation centers in City Heights, Linda Vista, Memorial, and Skyline Hills every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for eight weeks with free events this summer. 

People enjoyed free food, music, arts and crafts, face painting, inflatable jumpers, obstacle courses, magic shows, instructor-led yoga and dance classes, climbing walls, game trucks and other activities.  

Parks After Dark is a chance for San Diegans to have some fun, but these events also do the important work of helping create safe spaces to play in local communities throughout the summer months, especially in the afternoon and evening hours. These community events are proven to deter crime while also helping build stronger community ties.  

As a kid growing up in Clairemont with two parents working long hours, I spent a lot of time at my local parks, rec centers and libraries. I know first-hand how important it is to have access to safe and engaging public spaces. Investing in programs like Parks After Dark not only enhances the well-being of our youth, but also helps foster stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods. 

All photos by Rudy Vargas Director of the Price Philanthropies Foundation. Get more news and information from the Mayor’s desk by signing up for my weekly newsletter via email or text message.