Hawkey Wants CIP Funds For Shade Trees in Playhouse Village

Ahead of Monday’s City Council meeting, the chair of the Playhouse Village Foundation is expressing concerns over the lack of funds for shade trees on Colorado Boulevard.

Former City Manager, Phil Hawkey, Chair, Playhouse Village Foundation said in correspondence to the City Council that funds are needed to update the Street Tree Master Plan, which is urgently needed to allow for more trees to be planted throughout the city.

“I am particularly concerned that the current Street Tree Master Plan does not allow for appropriate shade trees on Colorado Boulevard in the Playhouse Village,” Hawkey said in his email. “The Street Tree Master Plan directs that ginkgo trees and palm trees are allowed to be planted on Colorado Boulevard, neither of which provide any shade.”

According to Hawkey, the Playhouse Village Foundation is willing to raise money through donations to fund the planting of trees that will provide a comfortable shaded environment for a “vibrant pedestrian oriented urban village.”

However, under the current Street Tree Master Plan, the foundation is not allowed to plant the species of shade trees that would provide the shaded pedestrian environment that is needed.

“My request is that City Council allocate funding in the upcoming FY26 budget to revise and update the Street Tree Master Plan immediately, or, alternatively, allow for the City Manager and the Public Works Director to authorize exceptions to the Street Tree Master Plan.”

Hawkey said the first exception would allow for Playhouse Village to plant the kind of shade trees that would enhance economic vitality by providing much-needed shade and a comfortable walking experience.

The Pasadena City Council is scheduled to open a public hearing on the City Manager’s Recommended Fiscal Year 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget.

The budget proposes more than $2.4 billion in infrastructure investments over the next five years.

That hearing will be continued to May 5 and subsequent meetings until the budget is formally adopted.

The plan includes 218 active projects and 14 new initiatives aimed at preserving and enhancing the City’s capital assets.

A joint meeting of the Finance Committee and City Council is scheduled for April 28 to review proposed funding allocations for FY 2026.