About me:
Hi, my name is Kelena Matthews and I am a Prospect Park Youth Advocate. I am 15 years old and I live in the Canarsie area. I attend Brooklyn College Academy where I just finished my sophomore year. I consider myself a proud Trinidadian-American and I often celebrate my heritage by playing steel pan in my spare time. I have been playing steel pan for nine years and I enjoy playing it very much.

I am very excited to be a part of this group. I feel that the park is very relaxing and nature oriented. Having cars in the park only disrupts the balance that is attained in the park. The goal of having a car-free park is an important issue to me because I was allowed to grow up without having to worry about the dangers of cars while in parks so why should the next generation have to deal with it. Growing up in Trinidad, I played in the street, having barefoot races with my friends. To see that even in a park in New York, children have to worry about the dangers of cars is disturbing. I also had the privilege to run track in Prospect Park. I have seen the danger of having cars, bikes, and pedestrians on one road. I look forward to being able to organize mini traffic-calming marathons this summer. Being able to finally move as a group to get a car-free Prospect Park is making the goal so much easier to achieve.