Baldwin Park parks staff tout awards, detail consulate services and spring events

Baldwin Park City Parks and Recreation staff reported receiving a statewide award, described a temporary Mexican consulate outreach hosted in the Esther Snyder Community Center, and previewed several spring events at the commission's April 7 meeting.

Program Supervisor April Rojo said staff traveled to Sacramento and "received an award of excellence for creating community and economic vitality" from the California Parks and Recreation Society, and that the department presented its work to conference attendees.

The recognition was the lead item in a staff report that covered five topics. Rojo described a monthlong "consulate on wheels" program hosted at the Esther Snyder Community Center from April 1 through May 3 offering Mexican passports, a consular ID and voter ID services. Appointments are scheduled in 15-minute increments and are released weekly; the consulate also reserves 10 daily walk-in slots for seniors, Rojo said. Baldwin Park staff noted the consular ID may not substitute for all local documentation needs tied to federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) reimbursement requirements.

Rojo also announced these upcoming events: an Egg Plunge at the aquatic center on Friday, April 11 at 5 p.m.; Springfest and an Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19 at 9 a.m., which includes a new inclusive area for children using wheelchairs; and Earth Day/Arbor Day activities on Saturday, April 26 beginning at 8 a.m. at the Cruzbacca Transit Center, including bulky-item drop-off, paper shredding, tree planting (noted to occur at Morgan Park), e-waste and electric-bike demonstrations by ActiveSGB. Springfest preregistration stood at 50 participants at the time of the meeting, Rojo said.

The staff report also recognized local volunteer and coach Tony Mojica, a judo instructor honored at a recent Diamond Bar event and nominated as a community hero. Manny (staff) introduced Rojo and thanked department staff for their work; commissioners expressed appreciation for the programs and the department's outreach.

Commissioners asked for clarification on outreach and documentation issues related to the consular ID, including whether schools or the family services center had been notified and whether the consular ID met the documentation requirements for local assistance programs. Rojo said social-media posts and a digital flyer are available and that staff will share materials with school and service partners. Commissioners also asked logistical questions about the sign-up process for tree giveaways and the scope of the Earth Day services.

Procedural actions at the meeting included approval of the certificate of postings for April 7 and approval of the March 3, 2025 minutes; both motions were approved by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 5:37 p.m.

The staff report combined celebration of the award with practical information for residents about temporary consular services and the city's spring event schedule.