07/10/2026
Thursday, July 9, 2026
We would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank everyone who has contributed to the ongoing tree-watering, field maintenance, park restoration, and beautification efforts at Rodriguez Park and other recreational facilities throughout Calexico.
A special thank-you goes to Madam Chair of the BID Commission, Blanca Morales Grijalva, and BID Commissioner Jesús Iñiguez for their participation and support. Special recognition is extended to Blanca Morales Grijalva for donating the trailer currently being used to transport water to the trees.
We also recognize Tony “The Dude” Roldán for his consistency, persistence, and commitment to watering and caring for the trees at Rodriguez Park.
Our sincere appreciation goes to Madam Chair Pat Ureña of the Community Services Commission and Commissioners Cristina Rojas and Antonio Garcia for their participation and continued support.
We also extend special recognition to Little League President José Carrillo for donating the water container and for his hard work, dedication, and continued commitment to efficiently managing, maintaining, and supporting the Little League program.
We thank Fire Chief Juan Contreras for donating the used 1½-inch hoses that have been extremely helpful in our tree-watering efforts.
Special recognition is also extended to the Imperial County Probation Department for its consistent and continued assistance in beautifying Calexico’s parks and recreational facilities. Approximately six weeks ago, three probation officers and 12 youths joined us on a Saturday to widen the tree basins at Rodriguez Park.
Before the basins were widened, each tree could hold only approximately five gallons of water. Now, the widened basins can hold between 30 and 35 gallons during each watering round. The trees are watered two to three times per week to help them survive the extreme summer heat and continue growing.
The Probation Department has participated in many different projects each time it has come to assist Calexico. These projects have included widening tree basins, cleaning parks, picking up trash, pressure washing restrooms, dugouts, benches, and bleachers, painting facilities, and painting over blighted areas affected by graffiti.
As part of our continued investment in Calexico’s parks and youth programs, volunteers also help prepare the baseball fields before games. This work includes watering, leveling, dragging, and preparing the fields at Nosotros Park, Alex Rivera Field, American Legion Field, and Rodriguez Field.
These efforts go beyond preparing the playing surfaces. They also include pressure washing restrooms, dugouts, benches, and bleachers, painting facilities, removing graffiti, painting over blighted areas, and completing other necessary improvements to make the parks cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for the children, families, and community members who use them.
At the present time, the Probation Department’s outdoor participation is temporarily on hold because of the extreme summer temperatures and safety regulations that limit outdoor work in excessive heat. When the weather begins to cool down, we look forward to welcoming them back as they continue assisting Calexico with additional community projects.
A great shout-out also goes to Eddie from La Fuente for donating ice and Gatorade, Louis Wong for his generous donation, Calexico Volunteer Alliance Group for providing water, sodas, and Gatorade for the volunteers, and Madam Chair Pat Ureña for donating pizzas.
This is not about “I” or “me.” It is a team effort, a collaboration, and a consolidation of community members coming together to do what is best and in the best interest of our community.
This is the only way Calexico will continue progressing and moving forward—by working together, supporting one another, and sharing the responsibility of improving our community.
A great shout-out and sincere appreciation to everyone who has participated, donated, volunteered, and helped make these projects possible. Together, we are beautifying our parks, protecting our trees, supporting our youth programs, removing blight, and building a cleaner, healthier, and stronger Calexico.
