Pasadena Parks Could Soon Display Three New Memorials Honoring Local Residents

[Editor’s note: In the original article, Tim Wendler was mistakenly identified as the President of the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy (AFC) when in fact he is a Board Member. He did not advance his proposal in connection to his work with the AFC.]

Pasadena’s Recreation and Parks Commission will discuss three separate recommendations for the installation of memorials in honor of three prominent Pasadena personalities during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the City Yards Public Works Building Second Floor, located at 233 West Mountain Street. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. 

The first recommendation is for a memorial to be installed in the Central Arroyo to commemorate John Finch, who served as the Headmaster of Chandler School for 22 years before retiring in June 2023. 

Throughout his tenure, Finch emphasized the importance of environmental education and led efforts to expand outdoor education programs at Chandler School. He also promoted environmental conservation and organized annual “Trash Pickup Days” in the Arroyo Seco.

Members of the East Arroyo Residents Association proposed the installation of a memorial boulder with a plaque near the nature trail leading from Armada Drive to Arroyo Blvd. in the Central Arroyo Seco. This memorial boulder would be funded by the association.

In the second recommendation, area resident Tim Wendler has proposed the installation of a dedication or tribute garden at Washington Park in honor of a longtime resident of Washington Square Landmark Neighborhood and has actively worked to improve the quality of life in the area and has played a crucial role in establishing the neighborhood as a landmark district and worked to restore Washington Park to its original beauty.

The third recommendation is for the installation of a memorial bench with a plaque to honor Max Brenner, who was an avid birder and photographer known for documenting the horned owls of the Arroyo Seco and various other birds and animals. The bench and plaque would be placed near the Colorado Street Bridge in the Lower Arroyo. 

A friend of the late Ms. Brenner’s proposed the memorial and has committed to covering all costs associated with the installation.

PRCS (the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services) said it has evaluated all three recommendations and determined they are of “less than Citywide” significance since they are considered minor in scope. 

The department said the recommendations have been evaluated based on “appropriateness, compatibility, impact on park use, aesthetics, maintenance, and safety”  and concluded all three proposals are “consistent with the Public Monument Policy.”