Eater published a feature titled “Sun, Sand, and Spaghetti,” exploring the Dominican tradition of empaguetadas—large community beach picnics centered around big pots of spaghetti—and how this cultural practice has found a vibrant second home at Lake Welch in Harriman State Park. The article includes a vivid profile of Outdoor Promise founder Ronald Zorrilla, who recounts childhood memories of traveling with family to the beach in the Dominican Republic, spaghetti pot in tow. Today, Ronald continues this tradition at Los Siete Lagos while ensuring that Dominican and other youth of color feel a sense of belonging in public outdoor spaces through Outdoor Promise programming.
This feature deepens public understanding of how culture, food, and nature intersect—and why representation in outdoor spaces is essential. By highlighting Ronald’s lived experience and leadership, the article reinforces Outdoor Promise’s mission: helping Black and Latinx youth see the outdoors as a place where their traditions, histories, and identities naturally belong. It also brings national attention to work that challenges the perception of parks as unwelcoming, while celebrating the cultural richness that communities bring to public lands.
Read the full article on Eater →