Monterey County installs inclusive communication boards in four parks

Community leaders gathered on July 20 in Soledad’s Orchard Lane Park to unveil Inclusive Communication Boards installed in parks across South Monterey County – Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City. The project, funded by a sponsorship from Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez, provides picture‑based “talk‑to‑me” boards to help non‑verbal, neurodivergent and speech‑impacted residents communicate with peers and caregivers.

Soledad Councilmember Fernando Cabrera, who originally approached Lopez with the idea, praised the county’s commitment to serving all residents. Recreation coordinator Jessica Olmedo of Gonzales highlighted the boards’ broader role in raising community awareness about communication differences.

The new boards are now located at Central Park in Gonzales, Orchard Lane and Vosti Parks in Soledad, Patriot Park in Greenfield and San Lorenzo Park in King City, offering an inclusive tool for children and adults throughout the region.