For generations of families, the community pool was where children learned how to swim, teenagers spent summer afternoons, and neighbors gathered in one of the few accessible recreational spaces in the neighborhood. Parents who once sat poolside now return with children and grandchildren of their own. For many residents, the pool represents far more than recreation. It represents childhood, safety, belonging, and community.
The pool closed in 2019, briefly reopened in 2023, and has remained closed since. It has become a visible reminder of how vital community spaces can quietly disappear over time. Today, Chicano Federation is working to change that.
A Legacy Built on Community
Founded in 1969 in Barrio Logan, Chicano Federation began as a grassroots movement advancing civil rights, civic participation, and opportunity for historically underserved communities. Just one year later, the organization helped lead community efforts that transformed plans for a California Highway Patrol substation into what is now Chicano Park, home to the world’s largest collection of Chicano murals and a lasting symbol of culture and self-determination.
For more than five decades, Chicano Federation and Barrio Station have worked side by side in service to the community through youth development, senior services, child development, and advocacy. In late 2025, that partnership formally evolved when Barrio Station became part of Chicano Federation, preserving a shared legacy while creating new opportunities to revitalize the historic site.
The Vision: An Intergenerational Hub
Today, the vision for Barrio Station is a vibrant intergenerational hub where youth, families, and older adults can gather, connect, and thrive. Programming will include senior wellness and recreation during the day, youth mentorship and enrichment in the afternoons and evenings, and wraparound services that strengthen families across generations.
At the center of that vision is the restoration of the pool.
Chicano Federation plans not only to reopen the pool, but ultimately to expand access year-round so future generations of children in Barrio Logan can experience the same joy, confidence, and memories carried by so many families today. Alongside the youth center across the street, the revitalized campus has the potential to become one of the neighborhood’s most important community wellness spaces.
How You Can Help
At a time when displacement pushes families out of historic neighborhoods and vital gathering spaces disappear, Barrio Station is proof that preservation is possible when people come together.
Whether you are a longtime supporter, a community member who wants to give back, or a philanthropic partner looking to invest in meaningful community impact, there is a place for you in this vision. Several naming and legacy opportunities are available, including support for restoring the beloved community pool that has shaped generations of families.
To learn more about supporting the future of Barrio Station, please connect with Adrianna O’Donnell, Chief Growth Officer, at (619) 285-5600.
