Public Groundbreaking for Arroyo Trail Project Set for Saturday Morning

[Updated]  The City of Pasadena and the One Arroyo Foundation will host a public groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, July 13, for a major trail improvement project in the Arroyo Seco.

The One Arroyo Trail Critical Linkages Project aims to enhance safety and accessibility across nearly 1,000 acres of urban forest and marks the start of significant efforts to connect three distinct trail areas and reopen the historic Mayberry-Parker bridge.

“This preserves the Arroyo Seco’s natural beauty for future generations,” said Mayor Victor M. Gordo, highlighting the project’s impact on community health and enjoyment of Pasadena’s open spaces.

“The City was responsible for completing the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) process and reviewing the design documents provided by One Arroyo Foundation, who oversaw design and public outreach, to ensure compliance with City standards. We are ecstatic for the upcoming enhancements to the Arroyo Seco Trails, which will increase recreational opportunities for Pasadena residents, families, and visitors,” the City said in a prepared statement.

The $1.2 million initiative, including a $1 million grant from the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy, addresses long-standing issues of erosion, heavy use and deferred maintenance that have rendered parts of the 22-mile trail system unsafe and inaccessible.

Cynthia Kurtz, Interim Executive Director of One Arroyo Foundation, detailed planned improvements including repairing washed-out trails, fixing drainage issues and installing terraced steps on slippery slopes.

“We’ll be making it much safer,” Kurtz told Pasadena Now. “I’ve actually been out on hikes where people tripped and fell down.”

The project will widen trails where possible, remove hazardous debris, and focus on native plant restoration and habitat preservation. A flatter section in the lower Arroyo will be made more accessible for those with limited mobility.

Community engagement has been a key aspect of the planning process. The designs were reviewed by local conservation groups and went through city approval procedures.

“We showed all the designs to the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy because the trails go right along their property,” Kurtz said. “The most important comment as one would expect given their mission is no fences, and we have no fences planned, but they’re trying to make sure the wildlife corridors are open.”

Marcus Renner, founder of the Arroyo Seco Placekeepers, supports the project.

“I think this is a good start. You have to get the ball rolling and fixing the trails makes it more of an asset. More people will use it, the more people will have a positive experience. The more that happens, the more calls there’ll be for greater investment and greater improvement,” Renner said.

However, some community members express lingering concerns about potential commercialization of the area.

The groundbreaking event will take place at 10 a.m. at Brookside Park Picnic Area G. Project mobilization is set to begin on August 19.

While short-term excitement surrounds the project, long-term maintenance remains a critical concern for local environmental advocates.

The Arroyo Seco, meaning “dry gulch” in Spanish, has a rich history. It evolved from orange groves and a summer retreat to a vital urban forest, reflecting the changing needs and values of Pasadena over time.

The area was once inhabited by the Hahamong’na Tribe of Tongva Native Americans. Later, cabins dotted the landscape, but water quality concerns led to their removal. Floods shaped the terrain, and visionary planning efforts aimed to preserve its natural beauty.