Logvy Park improvements complete, thanks to Latino group
Photos by Clark James Mishler
What was once a neglected stale of outdoor space, overlooked by the city and wedged between apartment buildings where many Latino families live and a nearby low-income farmworker housing complex, has been transformed. Today, it stands as a vibrant public park – thanks to the unwavering efforts of a local Latino advocacy group.
After years of grassroots organizing, the group Adelante – Spanish for “forward” – celebrated the official completion of long-awaited renovations to Calistoga’s Logvy Community Park during a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday.
More than half a million dollars in upgrades have breathed new life into the park, now outfitted with picnic tables, a modern play structure, a concrete walking path that loops the entire perimeter, two bocce ball courts and outdoor barbecue stations.
“This idea was born during a town hall, when community members voiced a clear need for more affordable housing and public spaces for families,” said Julie Garcia, a local business owner and leader of Adelante. “We met weekly to map out our dreams for our children and future generations. It took time, but it was worth it.”
Adelante began seven years ago as an informal network of concerned parents. Today, they stand as a powerful example of the Latino community’s growing influence in civic life. The city greenlit the park’s improvement plan in 2019, but it took six years of sustained advocacy, collaboration and persistence to bring the vision to life.
Key to that success was support from UpValley Family Centers, a Napa County nonprofit that helped organize meetings, prepare the group to speak at City Council meetings and bring in professionals, including an architect and facilitator, to help shape and guide the project.
“This was a dream shared by countless local families who simply wanted safe, welcoming places for their children to play,” said Jenny Ocon, executive director of the center. “We’re honored to have been part of this partnership; the seeds of this park were planted by the community.”
Moments after the ribbon was cut, children were already climbing on the play structure, zipping down slides and racing across the new walking path, bringing the space to life with laughter.
Photos by Clark James Mishler
Latinos make up roughly half of Calistoga’s population, and their children account for 86% of students in the local school district, a primary reason that has made access to recreational spaces a pressing priority for many families.
Recently, parents have also begun pushing for dual immersion programs in local schools, aiming to ensure students grow up fluent in both English and Spanish.
Adelante’s work has so far focused on community spaces and family needs. They have not yet ventured into more overtly political arenas, such as City Council races or local hiring decisions.
Still, challenges remain, particularly around representation and how community voices are reflected in city decisions. A recent example came during last year’s hiring process for a new police chief. In a public forum, residents overwhelmingly called for a bilingual candidate who could build stronger relationships with Calistoga’s Spanish-speaking community. Despite that, the city appointed a retired police chief who does not speak Spanish, ignoring the feedback offered.
While the park project is a victory, the lack of Latino representation in local leadership remains stark. At Friday’s ceremony, Calistoga’s mayor, city manager, deputy city manager and police chief were all present – none of them Latino – in a town where nearly half the population is.
Vice Mayor Irais Lopez-Ortega was also in attendance. She is the first Latina to serve on Calistoga’s City Council, holding the position since 2013.
Adelante’s success shows the power of community organizing but also highlights that representation is still a work in progress.
