Mike Pacheco’s Kids Might Be Too Young for This Volunteer Gig

As community services manager, Mike Pacheco is tasked with getting to know local parks. One just west of La Mesa reminds him of where he spent time growing up.

“I seem to recall pedal boats,” Pacheco said of his favorite park in Denver. “I remember seeing a small lake in a park and feeding the ducks. It kind of reminds me of .”

But when it comes to his favorite park here, Pacheco says he’s still learning. Luckily, he has two sons to help.

“They just love being outside,” said Pacheco of Collin and baby Cade. “I guess the 2-month-old doesn’t know where he is, but the 20-month-old is always trying to get outside.”

Now Pacheco is looking for people outside of his family to help conduct park audits. These surveys are being done as part of a $75,000 grant from SANDAG for the city’s parks project, which aims to bring park and recreation services to within 20 minutes of every resident.

Applications (see attached) will be accepted through Wednesday, June 15. The number of volunteers is up for debate.

“It really just depends on how long each volunteer can help—the more the merrier,” Pacheco said. “We’re moving fast and we already have a lot of things in place. I really think we have a good project.”

For more information, call 619-667-1308.