The city of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the One Arroyo Foundation broke ground Saturday, July 13, on the One Arroyo Trail Critical Linkages Project , with a goal to rejuvenate Arroyo Seco’s trail system. “We are thrilled to initiate this project, which not only enhances the safety and accessibility of our trails but also preserves the natural beauty of the Arroyo Seco for generations to come,” said Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, touting a plan that would make the area the city’s own Central Park. “This project represents a significant investment in our community’s health, well-being, and enjoyment of our unique urban open space.
” He thanked state Sen. Anthony Portantino’s Office, the Pasadena Community Foundation and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for their contributions to the project. As part of the $6.
7 million recommended by California State Parks to the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreation Trails grant program, the city of Pasadena received $500,000 to restore and preserve Arroyo Seco. The Arroyo Seco, an open space rich in nature, consists of 22 miles of trails, a canyon that spans eight miles and different recreational opportunities, is located in the city of Pasadena. Plans include clearing debris and erosion on the 1,000-acre property, road crossings to improve access and connectivity, footbridges, wayfinding, trail restoration, planting native species, and creating natural seating and learning areas to ensure a safe, accessible, and enjoyable environment for the community.
During the groundbreaking ceremony Saturday morning, Gordo paid homage to the Tongva people, the indigenous tribe that first took care of the Arroyo Seco. “We owe them a great, great, great gratitude for having one, curated this land for all of us and ensuring that their legacy, it’s our responsibility to ensure their legacy continues here.” The restoration project is a project between the city of Pasadena, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and One Arroyo Foundation.
Dan Rothenberg, president of the board of the directors for the One Arroyo Foundation, thanked organizations working together to ensure the project is completed and give the city of Pasadena an open space to enjoy for generations to come. “We’ve worked and strived to preserve and keep the Arroyo Seco,” Rothenberg said. “This has been the beginning of that journey and in a project that has led us to trying to start to show what these public private partnerships can really do.
” George Contreras, a regular hiker of the Arroyo Seco trails, was glad to see the city of Pasadena will be improving the conditions of the hiking trails. “I’ve hiked in the area for years,” Contreras said. “I’ve been all the way up the Arroyo Seco to Oakwilde Campground.
I’ve been all the way down to San Pascual Stables and I enjoy it. It’s beautiful and I’m glad to see [the city is making] improvements.” Contreras said the Arroyo Seco trails are one of the few places in the area where you can hike in solitude.
“A lot of the trails where I’m at [are] very crowded. The Arroyo [has] less people.” The construction project will begin on Aug.
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