The Ridgefield City Council appointed Elianna Galvan as the first youth representative to the Ridgefield Parks Board during its regular meeting on Thursday, April 24.
The new youth position was made possible by a municipal code amendment in December 2024, allowing one student to serve alongside six adult members. The change gives Ridgefield’s young residents a formal voice in shaping the city’s parks and trails system, a news release by the City of Ridgefield stated.
“I’m really thankful for this opportunity. I’ve been looking for more ways to get involved with Ridgefield outside of just my high school. I really want to try to have an impact,” Elianna told the Ridgefield City Council after her appointment. “Thank you for appointing me.”
Galvan, a junior at Ridgefield High School and Running Start student at Clark College, was selected from a competitive pool of applicants. The process included a written application, blind screening and interviews with City Council members, the news release stated.
“The candidate pool was very impressive,” Mayor Matt Cole said in the news release. “I interviewed each of the candidates, and it was a really tough choice. We had some very unique, talented young people apply. The future is bright in Ridgefield.”
Galvan’s appointment was unanimously approved by the Council, and she will hold the same responsibilities and voting rights as adult board members.
For more information on the Parks Board, visit shorturl.at/AZgJU.
