Pasadena Opens New Groundwater Well, Renovated Basketball Courts at Villa Parke

Pasadena city officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to celebrate a new groundwater well and renovated basketball courts at Villa Parke, marking a major step in strengthening the city’s water infrastructure and enhancing recreational facilities.

Mayor Victor Gordo and Vice Mayor Jess Rivas joined Pasadena Water and Power and the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department on July 31 for the event.

The Parke Groundwater Well, which replaces the 104-year-old Garfield Well, reaches about 820 feet deep and is equipped with a submersible pump and motor nearly 500 feet below the surface. It can pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute, according to city officials.

“Continuous investment in our infrastructure is crucial,” Pasadena Water and Power General Manager David Reyes said in a statement. “Projects like the Parke Groundwater Well help ensure a resilient water future for Pasadena. Further, in partnership with Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, we are excited to reopen the adjacent basketball courts to the community in their new and updated form.”

The first phase of the project, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, was completed in April 2022 and included drilling, well development, test pumping and water quality sampling. Subsequent work involved installing mechanical and electrical equipment, resurfacing the basketball courts, replacing turf and upgrading park lighting and irrigation systems.

The new well is part of ongoing infrastructure improvements overseen by Pasadena Water and Power. More information about the project is available at PWPweb.com/Construction.