Brian Velez Memorial Award - Outstanding Volunteer - Peter Porras
Peter Porras has devoted hundreds of volunteer hours to transforming the pump tracks and bike park features at the Jeff Seymour Family Center into a beloved recreational facility for families and bicycling enthusiasts in the greater El Monte area. In October 2019 the space was officially re-dedicated as an El Monte city park facility, providing a foundation for greater public access and use in the coming years. However with City staff stretched thin and lacking expertise in bike park maintenance, expert riders like Peter have played a critical role in making the San Gabriel Valley’s first public bicycle park operational.

​Peter regularly leads volunteer days to shape the park’s beginner and intermediate riding sections, coordinates with El Monte City School District and ActiveSGV staff, and shares updates on the park’s status on the official Jeff Seymour Family Center Bike Park Facebook group page. His all-volunteer commitment is particularly meaningful as COVID-19 has significantly limited the types of recreational activities youth and families can participate in over the past six months and for the foreseeable future. Bicycling remains one of the few activities people can do in a safe, socially-distant manner to maintain their physical and mental health, and the Bike Park provides a safe, car-free space for the community to ride bikes and improve their skills. We commend Peter’s effort to make the SGV a better place with his commitment to the park.

ActiveSGV's awards bash, Noche de las Luminarias, honors people making strides to realize a more sustainable, equitable, and livable San Gabriel Valley. On 10/10/20 a special virtual edition of the annual party will celebrate 10 years of ActiveSGV.