Public Meeting Set for Pasadena’s Eaton Wash Stormwater Project

Residents invited to shape Pasadena residents will have their first opportunity to weigh in on the city’s Eaton Wash Stormwater Capture Project at a public meeting scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2025, from noon to 2 p.m. at Willard Elementary School.

The meeting marks the beginning of the community engagement phase for the multi-benefit infrastructure project designed to improve water quality and create new park space near Eaton Wash.

“The community amenities will be refined through community input during the design process,” the Department of Public Works stated in its project overview. The department is spearheading the initiative in collaboration with community members and agency partners.

The project will divert storm and urban water flows from Eaton Wash for pretreatment, subsurface storage and infiltration, with additional filtration to return clean water to the channel. With an upstream drainage area of 10,294 acres, the system aims to remove trash, sediments and pollutants before water flows downstream to the Rio Hondo River, Los Angeles River and ultimately the Pacific Ocean.

Above ground, the undeveloped city-owned site will become usable park space with potential amenities including new trees, native plantings, lighting, recreation features, walking paths, outdoor classrooms, community gardens and gathering areas.

Conceptual drawings have been developed, but officials emphasize that final designs will depend on feedback from public outreach efforts, beginning with Saturday’s meeting.

The project schedule shows conceptual design beginning in winter 2025, followed by a series of community pop-up activities throughout the year. Construction is projected for 2029-2030.

Funding for the project’s design comes from the Los Angeles County Safe, Clean Water Program Regional Funding, with the initial feasibility study funded by the city’s Measure W Local Returns. The study secured $2.3 million in design funds to re-envision open spaces along Eaton Wash.

The project site sits near Eaton Blanche Park, Willard Elementary School and the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena.