Pasadena Beautiful Foundation Redirects Golden Arrow Awards Funds to Eaton Fire Recovery

The Pasadena Beautiful Foundation has decided to suspend its signature Golden Arrow Awards this year to address a more pressing community need. Instead of holding the annual ceremony honoring exceptional residential landscaping, the organization will redirect the funds to support recovery efforts following the Eaton Fire that devastated homes in the area.

“Given the tragic aftermath of the fires, we all felt that our money was better spent helping those who lost their homes,” explained Pasadena Beautiful President Sara Edwards.

The foundation has already donated $2,500 to the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) in early February specifically for Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery efforts. The organization continues to collect additional donations from supporters who wish to contribute to post fire rebuilding and replanting initiatives in the affected areas.

This temporary pause marks a significant but thoughtful deviation from the foundation’s tradition of awarding 27 Golden Arrows every Spring to homes throughout nine Pasadena districts. The awards typically recognize homeowners whose landscaping enhances their neighborhoods through both aesthetic beauty and environmental sustainability.

The Awards, dating back to around 1960, have become a cherished tradition in Pasadena. During normal years, the selection process is methodical and democratic. The city is divided into nine distinct areas, with volunteers identifying six outstanding gardens from each area for initial consideration. A second evaluation team then reviews these 54 semi-finalists to select three winners from each area, resulting in 27 award recipients annually.

Judges assess properties based on “curb appeal, harmony between the house and garden, and clear evidence of pride of ownership and investment in the front yard.” Previous recipients within the past five years are ineligible to win again, ensuring widespread recognition throughout the community.

At the normal annual May ceremony, winners receive distinctive golden arrow-shaped lawn signs to display proudly in their gardens, along with certificates of merit recognizing their contributions to community beautification.

In recent years, many award-winning gardens have featured drought-resistant and sustainable designs, acknowledging California’s ongoing water conservation challenges.

“We hope to move forward with the Golden Arrows in 2026 as it is our signature event. We honor both sustainability in landscaping and over all natural beauty,” said Edwards.

Throughout its 62-year history, the Pasadena Beautiful Foundation has planted over 10,000 trees, contributed more than 15,000 volunteer hours, and bestowed more than 2,000 awards to deserving properties across the city. Established in 1960, the organization has remained committed to enhancing Pasadena’s urban landscape. This latest decision to prioritize community recovery demonstrates the organization’s flexibility in adapting its mission to address urgent local needs.

For more visit https://www.pasadenabeautiful.org/