‍Transform the Trail‍ ‍
A Power Up
‍ ‍Real World
ProgramOUTH IN ACTION

Transform the Trail

Phase One: See. Question. Understand. Choose.

Sometimes making a difference begins with noticing something others may have overlooked.

Transform the Trail began when we learned about the neglected walking trail in Encanto, near the post office. The trail had been planned years earlier, but its condition and accessibility raised questions about what had happened and what might still be possible.

We began by looking more closely, listening, asking questions, and learning about the people, places, and circumstances involved.

See the Possibilities

We explored the trail and its place in the community. We wanted to understand what existed, what had changed, and what the trail might mean for the surrounding neighborhood.

We weren’t just looking at a path. We were looking at a community resource and asking what might be possible.

Ask Questions

What had been planned? What had happened? Who knew the history? What could we learn about the trail and the challenges surrounding it?

As we explored, we realized that answering those questions would take more than looking at the trail ourselves. We needed information, different perspectives, and help from people with relevant knowledge and skills.

Understand Through Connections

One important connection began with an everyday conversation.

Sandra met a local professional and his wife at a line-dancing class and learned about his company, Spatial Perspective Group LLC, which provides aerial mapping and business solutions.

That conversation led to an opportunity to connect the professional’s expertise with STEM students and a real community concern.

Working together, they used drone photography to document the trail. Students had the opportunity to work with specialized technology, and some operated the drones under the appropriate arrangements.

The effort brought together community knowledge, professional expertise, young people’s curiosity, and technology.

It also gave students an opportunity to see how skills they were learning could be used to investigate a real-world issue.

A conversation opened a door. A connection created an opportunity. Young people got to learn by doing.

Choose a Direction

As we learned more, we also discovered that the situation was more complicated than it first appeared.

Access along the planned route was blocked, changing what seemed possible and raising new questions about the trail’s future.

We had reached an important point: we had learned more, documented what we could, and identified challenges that required further investigation.

The next step wasn’t to pretend we had all the answers. It was to ask another question.

What do we know now? What do we still need to learn? Who else should be part of the conversation?

Phase One Is Not the End

Transform the Trail taught us that community improvement takes more than a good idea. It takes listening, research, relationships, collaboration, and a willingness to adjust when new information changes what we understand.

We also saw what can happen when people bring different strengths to the same effort: residents who know their community, young people ready to learn, professionals willing to share their expertise, and partners who can help open doors.

We haven’t answered every question about the trail. That’s why we are continuing to learn.

Phase One brought us to our next question.

Who else should we talk with? What additional information do we need? What possibilities haven’t we considered?

Those questions will help guide whatever comes next.

What Young People Can Learn from This

• You can begin with something you notice in your own community.

• Asking questions can reveal that a problem is more complicated than it first appears.

• You don’t have to possess every skill yourself. You can connect with people who know more about a particular subject.

• Technology can help people investigate real-world concerns.

• When new information changes your understanding, you can change your approach.

• A project doesn’t have to be finished to produce meaningful learning.

See. Question. Understand. Choose. Then ask another question.

That’s how learning leads to action—and how action can lead to new possibilities.

Power Up With YOUth. It’s your world, too.

THE TRAIL WE HOPED FOR

In 2003 the City of San Diego’s Parks Plan promised to turn Potter’s Tract Trail, the one-mile from 54th street running parallel to the Chollas Creek Watershed, into the Encanto Walking Trail - a 10 foot wide class A high quality open space for residents to walk, bike, play, use, and enjoy their community.

Youth wanted to Learn and Understand What Happened?

What did their city promise??
Why hadn’t their City implemented the plan in over 23 years?
Had their community been silent without demanding action for 23 years?

The youth wanted more than restoration. They wanted transformation

Could they develop a plan and transform the trail
into a healthy beautiful space for residents and community, STEM students and visitors.

TRAILBLAZERS HISTORY

The beginning
The first Power Up With Youth project was “uP The Turnout”. When the Power Up youth went to drop vote by mail ballots at the 92114 post office, they noticed a constructed trail next to it.

The Condition Overgrown plants, litter, graffiti and uneven surfaces made it unattractive, unsafe, unsustainable and unusable - even in the daytime.

Their Reaction They were appalled and saddened by what they saw. The post office was in disrepair and the pathway that had been constructed for our community to use and enjoy had been allowed to become neglected damaged and dangerous.

Their Response They also saw the trail as an opportunity. Instead of just talking about the failure of government, our students are stepping up to fix the situation. The lead Youth Student ambassador said “ Our aim is to clean up, hook up, fix up and lively up this trail”

Their Vision They have a vision to create a vital healthy space for exercise, recreation, and commuting. The lead Youth student ambassador said

“Our mission is to transform the Encanto Walking Trail from a dangerous trail to a community treasure.”

“We will make a safe and vibrant space for nature walks, community gatherings, local activities that everyone, residents and tourists, will want to visit.”

Their “ASK” They asked for our help. Of course, we said YES. We adopted their “Transform The Trail” as our second project.

Our Pledge:
- Help our youth
- Improve the space. The current 2015 Encanto Community
Plan for th trail is shown on
* (page 149) 'Figure 7-3:    Open Space and Trail System'  

* (page 154).  'Figure 7-6: Chollas Creek Detail 3'

* (page 83) the Plan’s Urban Design Goals

- Build a bridge Connect the Encanto Walking Trail with
Market Creek Plaza to the west and
San Diego Black Arts and Culture District to the east.

- Celebrate Honor the people and cultural history of Encanto
- Keep the space Ensure our community continues to have a
healthy safe and environmentally sustainable space for exercise
and relaxation while enjoying and experiencing nature
- Provide opportunity for Power Up youth leaders to use the
next 4 years to power up their skills and capitalize on the history
and gains they made during during their 2024 election’s historic
“uP the Turnout " campaign.
- fast track the project to culminate in 2028, coinciding with the
next general election when some of them will be eligible to vote or
run for office..

Our Outreach
- We engaged Our Community at the San Diego Park and Recreation
Department’s 2025 MLK Day Celebration.  Those who stopped by
our booth were able to
• Make their leaf for our Community Commitment Tree
• Make their Tile to add to the mosaic mural that we will place on
the trail.
• Take our survey to let us know their vision of what they would
like to experience on the trail.

- We introduced our project to the Chollas Valley Community
Planning Group (CVCPG)

- We met with the San Diego City Development Historical Resources
Department to understand the past and prepare for the future