Pinole Creek Appreciation Month with Pinole Valley High
February 2023 was the first ever Pinole Creek Appreciation Month at Pinole Valley High School!
Everyday, stories and facts about the watershed were shared over the loudspeaker for students to hear and reflect on. Students were encouraged to share stories and images with the entire school through a creek story mini-contest.
Creek Story Contest Winners
Juliana Espinoza
We, the people who live in Pinole, all love and adore our creek, and the way it glistens under the sun makes us beam with joy. As the water streams down in the mud and rock all aspects of nature are held in one beautiful place and I feel at peace, serene, and forget all my troubles along the walk across the creek. Being able to enjoy the beautiful scenery, the birds chirping while the creek meanders it’s way down to our feet, and I look aside to my friends and feel a warmth in my chest. The Pinole creek is a landmark in this town. We all appreciate its presence.
Lexine Dinh
With the hardships in my life, I began walking and being more attuned to the environment. Spending my hours at Fernandez Park became my new pastime. It opened my eyes to a new serenity; the birds calmly chirping, the wind howling in my ears, and the beautiful creek I had the privilege to see. The Pinole Creek was nothing I have seen before--it was nostalgic. The Creek felt like home and from the first time I saw the Creek, I could not be separated from it and found myself always beside it. The Pinole Creek is something I will always treasure and be my home away from home.
Faith Duamo
I would go to Fernandez Park all the time when I was little. My favorite part of the park was looking at the ducks or walking along the trail near the creek. As I grew older I continued to enjoy walking, jogging, or biking on the trail alongside the creek because it is really calming. I like being on that trail or near the creek because being outside and around nature helps me clear my mind and feel at peace. One of my fondest memories is biking with the kids I babysat on the trail every Summer morning and seeing different animals there like cats, ducks, cranes, butterflies, and dragonflies. The creek and trail will always have a special place in my heart because of all the memories I associate with them.
Photos: The Beautiful and The Ugly Side of Pinole Creek
Student Photos Submitted to Allison Villars, PVHS photography teacher
