Pasadena to Host Community Meeting on Sierra Madre Median Enhancements Project

The City of Pasadena is hosting a community outreach event on Thursday, March 21, focused on the Sierra Madre Median Enhancements and Master Plan. The meeting, which begins at 6 p.m., will take place at the Victory Park Recreation Center Gym, at 2575 Paloma Street, and provide residents a chance to learn about the project and contribute input.

The Sierra Madre Median Project, a collaborative effort between Pasadena Water and Power and Public Works, is aimed at transforming the upper stretch of the Sierra Madre median just West of Hasting Ranch Drive, opposite Pasadena Water and Power’s Jones Reservoir.

Phase 1 of the project, already completed, involved constructing a system to channel water from the Jones Reservoir to irrigate trees and future plantings along the median, an innovative approach to ensure the efficient use of treated water that was previously lost to storm drains.

Phase 2, which began in April 2022, includes designing and building a Hügel (a raised garden bed) and planting native trees and plants, creating a sanctuary for birds, butterflies, and bees. This phase was designed to create a sanctuary for wildlife while demonstrating low-maintenance afforestation techniques that residents can replicate in their own yards.

The city said the benefits of this project are multifaceted, including educational opportunities with nearby schools, increased greenery for improved aesthetics, reduced heat island effect, enhanced soil health, and improved stormwater management through bioswales and retention basins.

The project is part of the larger Sierra Madre Boulevard Green Street Stormwater Capture Project, which aims to address water quality issues within the Rio Hondo watershed and comply with state-mandated water quality standards.

Residents interested in attending the community meeting and knowing more about the project are advised to visit www.cityofpasadena.net/public-works/engineering-and-construction/construction/sierra-madre-green-st-stormwater-capture-project.

During these community meetings, the components and regulatory parameters are discussed and inputs are solicited for review and consideration in the design process.

Subsequent community meetings will present how the community response was incorporated into the design approach, and finally present the final version of the project.