By Chispa Maryland
On Saturday, May 3rd, we joined an inspiring community event in Langley Park, a neighborhood in Prince George’s County with deep immigrant roots, a vibrant Latino community, and a strong sense of culture and resilience. We gathered for a community walk along the Northwestern Branch, a tributary of the Anacostia River. This event, organized by Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Langley Park Civic Association, was a beautiful example of the power of coming together with a shared purpose.
The idea was simple: bring people together to enjoy the outdoors, get some fresh air, enjoy the warm weather, and learn about how our daily actions impact local waterways. Families came out with their kids, neighbors reconnected, and there was a really nice energy throughout the morning. It felt good to be outside and surrounded by the community.
One of the coolest parts, a storm drain stenciling activity provided by Nature Forward, let kids (and a few grown-ups too!) paint stormwater drains with messages to protect the Chesapeake Bay and learn that everything that goes in them – trash, oil, you name it – ends up in our rivers and the Bay. It was messy, fun, and meaningful all at the same time. Those signs will be a small but important reminder for everyone walking by.
Events like this remind us why community matters so much in the fight for environmental justice. When we gather like this, we’re not just raising awareness, we’re building relationships and a shared sense of purpose. This is how real change starts.
Spending time outdoors is also good for our mental and physical health. So many in our communities carry the weight of stress, work, tight budgets, and daily challenges. Getting outside for even a short walk can clear our minds, boost our mood, and remind us that we’re not alone.
We left the event feeling hopeful. The excitement of the families, the curiosity of the kids, and the sense of shared responsibility for our environment are very encouraging. These are the kinds of moments that fuel our work at Chispa Maryland. Change doesn’t always start in policy rooms or government offices. Sometimes, it starts with a walk in the park.