Pasadena Unified to Remove Trees at John Muir High School for Gym and Pool Project

Pasadena Unified School District will begin removing trees at John Muir High School in Pasadena this week to make way for a gym and pool modernization, the district said.

The district announced the work in an Oct. 4 message to the school community, saying the project is moving into construction after years of planning. 

Tree removals tied to Eaton Fire soil cleanup drew protests at the same campus in July, along with a stop notice from the city of Pasadena.

The modernization includes a new 40-meter pool and pool deck, upgraded workout gyms and locker rooms, and new team and instructional spaces, the district said. 

It also includes improved accessibility, a new entry and lobby, and landscaping, the district said. 

The renovation was the largest active project in the district’s bond program as of May, at approximately $52 million. Interior demolition and pool deck work were under way at the campus in May.

The trees set for removal stand within the project’s footprint and must come down for construction to proceed, the district said. 

“These trees were always slated for removal as part of this project. The plan did not change because of the Eaton Fire,” the district said in the message.

The district said the Eaton Fire created a separate challenge for the site. Environmental testing identified contaminated soil in parts of the campus, including areas within the planned aquatics complex, the district said. That makes it more important to remediate and prepare the site before major construction moves forward, the district said.

“We know these trees matter. They have given shade, beauty, and a sense of place to generations of students, staff, and the community. Removing them is not a decision we take lightly,” the district said. 

The district said it is collecting seeds and seedlings from the trees when possible so they can be propagated elsewhere. It said it is also contacting community organizations and lumber companies about repurposing usable wood. 

New trees will be planted under the district’s 2026 Landscape and Exterior Space Guidelines, the district said.

In a notice of exemption posted by the state on Sept. 30, 2025, the district said the John Muir High School Athletic Facilities Modernization Project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act. In that filing, the district listed work on the gym, pool, baseball field and football field, along with replacement of water, sewer and storm drainage systems and electrical service upgrades.

The district said the improvements will ensure the school’s athletic facilities comply with California Interscholastic Federation regulations.

When the project is finished, the complex will have new landscaping, shade and outdoor spaces, the district said.