introducing Maria Vasquez
Living right across the street from Tacony Creek Park, Maria’s proximity to it evokes memories of her home country of Mexico. Most of all, the close presence of the park conjures up cherished memories of her beloved father. He grew up in Mexico, around lush gardens and tributaries in the state of Guerrero, off the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Maria’s involvement with Tacony Creek Park – which often involves attending events such as clean-ups, tree plantings or maple sugar harvesting – stems from this place of remembrance, warmth and love. For her, caring for this park is an homage to her heritage, and to the natural environment she has been around and embraced all her life.
interview excerpts & images
On protecting the watershed
We walked my dad in the park, in his wheelchair. And he was surprised because we had a river, and he remembered when he was in his garden. This is what surprised me about my father, his face, the emotion, to see him say that we live in a beautiful place.
On Getting Involved with Tacony Creek Park
on the sights and smells of the park
On growing up in mexico
On her father’s reaction to the park
on planting trees
English Voiceover by: Varissa McMickens Blair
