It’s heartbreaking. We turn on the news and discover another one of our youth was killed in traffic-related collisions. Lives are taken much too soon and family, friends and community members are left to grieve. The statistics are startling. Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, and every year, young kids are needlessly killed in these collisions. The message is clear. Don’t drink and drive, don’t text and drive, don’t talk on your cell phone. Make sure you buckle up and stay focused.
It’s heartbreaking. We turn on the news and discover another one of our youth was killed in traffic-related collisions. Lives are taken much too soon and family, friends and community members are left to grieve. The statistics are startling. Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, and every year, young kids are needlessly killed in these collisions. The message is clear. Don’t drink and drive, don’t text and drive, don’t talk on your cell phone. Make sure you buckle up and stay focused. While taking a stroll in Central Park, I couldn’t help but notice the Santa Clarita Youth Grove. Nestled between the beautiful tall trees in the corner of Central Park is a memorial, with a central monument encompassed by 84 pillars that resemble cut off tree stumps, each with a plaque bearing the name of a young life lost in a traffic related incident…a young life cut short. The half-acre Youth Grove is a startling reminder for our youth of the unfortunate consequences of of reckless driving.
The Santa Clarita Youth Grove is a grassroots effort supported by the City of Santa Clarita and the Blue Ribbon Task Force. The Grove is dedicated to Santa Clarita youth from the age of 24 years old and younger who have lost their lives in traffic related incidents. “The Youth Grove provides an outlet for the community to reflect upon the tragic consequences of drinking and driving, and serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of being responsible behind the wheel,” commented Mayor Laurene Weste. “Each year, the City and the Blue Ribbon Task Force host the Evening of Remembrance to honor the young men and women who lost their lives too soon, and inspires our community to practice safe, sober driving.”
The completion of the Youth Grove took about three years of community fundraising and education and was opened in early 2006. The City of Santa Clarita utilizes iPods to promote the Youth Grove’s message about safe driving. These iPods, with videos and brief stories about each of the 84 youth represented at the Youth Grove, are available for use at the site.
On Wednesday, September 10, the City of Santa Clarita will be presenting the Annual Youth Grove Evening of Remembrance at the Youth Grove at Central Park. Community members are invited to participate in the inaugural Walk of Remembrance, which will begin at 6:45 p.m.
The Youth Grove is located in Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.
For more information on the Youth Grove, visit www.Santa-Clarita.com/BlueRibbon.
