Commissioners to present award to third-grader for cleaning up vandalized playground

We invite media partners and community members to attend the Mesa County Commissioners’ Administrative Public Hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 9 a.m., where they will honor and celebrate a young community member who took an extraordinary step in the face of adversity.

“Joaquin Moncada reminds us to turn disappointment into action, inspiring hope and community resilience,” said Janet Rowland, Chair of the Board of Mesa County Commissioners. “Our future is bright, for it will be in the hands of leaders like Joaquin.”

The newly installed playground at Rocky Mountain Elementary Park, located behind Rocky Mountain Elementary School, was unfortunately subject to vandalism soon after its inauguration. When third-grade students from Rocky Mountain Elementary visited the playground, they were met with the unsettling sight of inappropriate drawings on the slide.

Yet, in this unfortunate incident, a beacon of hope and responsibility emerged as Joaquin Moncada. Witnessing the offensive images and being concerned about their impact on younger children, Joaquin took the initiative to protect and restore the playground's dignity. The next day, armed with cleaning supplies generously provided by his father and aided by his elder sister, Joaquin meticulously removed all the distasteful drawings. Before departing, he further showcased his commitment to the community by picking up and disposing of trash. Joaquin's actions have restored the beauty of the playground.

Please join us in recognizing Joaquin's commendable actions, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, and celebrating a young student who went above and beyond to ensure a safe and pleasant environment.

Details of the Public Hearing:

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023

Time: 9 a.m.

Location: Public Hearing Room, 544 Rood Ave., Second Floor