Nicholl Park in Richmond will buzz with energy this Saturday, Sept. 27, when YES Nature to Neighborhoods hosts YES Fest: Grounded and Growing from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The free, family-friendly event spotlights how youth and community leaders are reclaiming public space and amplifies momentum toward YES’s new Base Camp, a nature-inspired community center planned across from the park.
YES Fest marks an important moment in the Richmond Park Equity Project, inviting residents to envision a revitalized Nicholl Park while celebrating progress already underway. Attendees can expect remarks from Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Supervisor John Gioia, performances by Nia Dance, Son de la Tierra, and Voices of Reason, nature crafts, climbing wall and recreational activities, plus free food from local vendors including Curbside Kitchen, Taqueria Angelica’s, and Pop Nation.
A highlight: a mock-up donor wall by Richmond muralist Richard Muro-Salazar and a tour of the Base Camp site. The festival also unveils a 46-foot electric bus from Youth Transportation Organization, which will serve Richmond nonprofit use.
YES Fest also marks a milestone in its Base Camp fundraising effort: $5.1 million raised toward a $7 million goal. Donations of $50 or more will be honored on the building’s donor wall.
“YES has been helping Richmond youth, adults and families reclaim connection to the earth, build community power, and make nature and its healing benefits accessible to residents for more than two decades,” said Eric Aaholm, executive director of YES Nature to Neighborhoods. “Our new Base Camp will ensure this work continues and allow us to do it more effectively by having a center that reflects the interests, needs, and desires of residents.”
Ean Avila, a youth participant in YES’s 10-year Youth Leadership Pathway, said joining YES’s Richmond Rangers program “opened up a whole new world of nature for me.”
“I got to do things I’d never imagined-camping, backpacking-and it sparked a sense of activism in me,” Ean said. “I saw the beauty of these spaces and felt inspired to help conserve them for future generations, regardless of income or race.”
Added Gioia, “When we support programs that connect young people to nature and empower them to lead, we’re not just enriching each young person, we’re building a stronger, more resilient Richmond. These investments ensure that all children, regardless of background, have the chance to grow, lead, and thrive.”
