The Salinas City Commission on Dec. 11 heard a presentation from Big Sur Land Trust and the Center for Community Advocacy seeking volunteer help and community partnerships for the second phase of Ensign Community Park’s development.

Jennifer Vasquez, of Big Sur Land Trust, said the organization “acquired 73 acres in the Carr Lake Basin here in Salinas back in 2017” and described phase two as a 67‑acre floodplain restoration designed to bring back wetland habitat and wildlife. “We also will have 1.7 miles of trails out on the space,” Vasquez said, and added that construction is underway with an expected completion in 2026.

The presentation emphasized local stewardship and volunteer leadership. Asucena from the Center for Community Advocacy described eight years of community outreach that led to the formation of Friends of Ensign, a volunteer group that organizers say will run monthly cleanups, arts programming and educational activities. Volunteer Diana Nancy Carrasco, who said she was born and raised in Salinas, framed the work as cultural stewardship: “Water is life, right?” she said, urging neighbors to recognize ancestral ties to the land and to join restoration efforts.

City staff and presenters said the restoration area will be transferred to the city after construction; Big Sur Land Trust intends to remain involved to steward the site. Commissioners pressed presenters on how volunteer roles will intersect with city maintenance. Staff said core maintenance functions remain part of the city’s park system and that the partnership operates under an MOU. Presenters said Big Sur Land Trust and partners committed initial funding and staff support for at least a year to help incubate the Friends group.

Organizers outlined near-term activities: monthly cleanups on the third Saturday of each month (10:30–11:30 a.m.), community art Tuesdays, youth learning sessions about restoration and a Dec. 20 volunteer day that will include planting about 30 oak trees with restoration contractors. Vasquez said the park’s first phase opened in August and drew roughly 500 visitors at its inauguration.

The commission thanked presenters and asked that staff continue coordinating on the MOU and volunteer boundaries. No formal action was taken.

The Friends group provided contact information through the Big Sur Land Trust website for residents who want to volunteer or receive updates.