Why national parks give Latinos a sense of belonging

By Crystal Barillas

May 1, 2024, 9:47 PM EDT

My family’s love for parks began before I was born. I am the daughter of two immigrant parents from El Salvador, who individually and together found solace and refuge in the National Parks.

In the 1970s, my father emigrated as a child, alone, to the United States. For him, this country was a new beginning after the hardships in his home nation. However, the status of being an immigrant also had its own difficulties, the biggest being racism.

In 1984, like so many families, my mother and her family also emigrated at the height of El Salvador’s civil war. Along with her parents, she longed for a home and the beauty of nature.

Trying to find a sense of belonging, they met and together found solace in Yosemite Park. From that point on, she didn’t go a year without a visit to a park (national and tribal).

I grew up watching my parents not only navigate the roads, but also navigate how to build a new life. National parks were our refuge from the chaos and hustle and bustle of daily life. They symbolized belonging and peace, because the land did not belong to any specific individual, but to all who call this country home.

My love of parks brought me to the Presidio, which also combines my two other passions, history and art. Working here as a park guide, I can help visitors understand the park through art and nature.

The Presidio is special for many reasons! It’s a free national park in a big city! It is full of people who want to share its beauty with all those who need a break or a little adventure.

The Presidio and Field Station offer visitors the opportunity to be themselves, away from screens and social pressures. Here, a person can go back to basics, feel the warmth of the sun on their face, the admiration for nature that comes with observing a flower, and the connection with something bigger than themselves. Taking care of themselves and others is a byproduct of being present in these places.

I invite everyone to visit the park, if not for the nature or the history, do it for your mental health. This is a topic that is not talked about openly, especially in our Latino community, but it should be.

Mental health is essential to quality of life, and it can be as easy as resting your back on the trunk of a tree. Having free resources like the Presidio is an incredible gift to the community where one can care for themselves in a meaningful way.

The park has been home to many different groups throughout history, and today all are welcome. Socioeconomic background does not matter, nor does race or culture.

So come feel the grandeur of life walking the trails or witness the magic filtering through the eucalyptus trees at sunset. Don’t forget to stop by the Field Station to tell us all about your adventures in the park over a cup of tea.