[KHTS] – Family members gathered Wednesday evening in Central Park for the ninth annual Youth Grove Evening Remembrance.

The city of Santa Clarita’s annual Youth Grove Evening of Remembrance honors Santa Clarita youth who lost their lives due to traffic incidents, and reminds the community about the importance of safe driving.

For the first time ever, city officials hosted a walk to remember those who lost their lives.

The evening began with the inaugural Walk of Remembrance. Both events were free and open to the public.In addition, readings and performances occurred to pay tribute to local youth who lost their lives on the road.

Community Services Commissioner Dianna Boone, followed by the Evening of Remembrance with a welcome by Councilmember TimBen Boydston.

The first Walk of Remembrance began at 6:45 p.m., with the annual Evening of Remembrance following at 7:15 p.m.

Seven stumps were added to the previous 91 individual pillars, with over 300 attendees, according to Janine Prado, a community services director for the city of Santa Clarita.

The Youth Grove is a half-acre featuring individual pillars that mimic cut tree stumps, each representing a young person who died in a vehicle collision.

The pillars surround a central monument featuring the “KNOW MORE, NO MORE” vow urging the community to know more about safe driving habits, and to pledge that no more young lives will be lost behind the wheel.

Annual Youth Grove Evening Of Remembrance Gathered At Central Park

During the Walk of Remembrance many of the related families participated and were given white roses as they walked a lap starting at the flagpole in Central Park, said Prado.

Central Park is located at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road.

City officials such as Santa Clarita City Council member TimBen Boydston, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commissioner Dianna Boone, the Blue Ribbon Task Force and hundreds of community members attended the event.

For more information about the Youth Grove Evening of Remembrance, operation, contact Veronica Bayer, Human Services Coordinator for the City of Santa Clarita, at (661) 250-3727 or visit santa-clarita.com/blueribbon.

– Angelina Bryan