Walktober Tour to Revisit Families Displaced by 710 Freeway

A Pasadena walking tour Saturday, Oct. 24, will revisit the neighborhood displaced by construction of the 710 Freeway stub and share stories of families who once lived there.

The three-hour event, “Stories of Displacement: the 710 Stub,” begins at 10 a.m. at Central Park, 275 S. Raymond Ave. Organizers expect the approximately three-mile walk to conclude at 1 p.m.

The Center for Restorative Justice said in its October newsletter that it will lead the tour. The walk is part of Walktober Pasadena, a series organized by Day One, the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition and the City of Pasadena Department of Transportation.

The Center said the program will focus on African American, Mexican American and Japanese American communities whose residents lost homes, businesses and churches through eminent domain. Participants will hear about the neighborhood that existed before the freeway project, according to the event announcement.

The history dates to a California Highway Commission decision in November 1964 to route the planned freeway through Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno. The extension was never built through the latter two communities, but the northern interchange was constructed in Pasadena in the early 1970s.

Pasadena’s Transportation Department says that construction displaced at least 4,000 residents and destroyed 1,500 homes. The state transferred the unfinished freeway corridor to Pasadena on Aug. 15, 2022, opening the way for the city to plan its reuse.

The land is now the subject of a redevelopment effort involving roughly 50 acres. On June 22, the Pasadena City Council approved 10 restorative justice recommendations for the former freeway corridor, including affordable housing goals and a proposed community oversight committee. Long-term redevelopment planning continues.

The Eventbrite listing describes the October walk as a repeat of last year’s tour, with changes to the route sequence and speakers. The organizers request advance registration to estimate attendance. They recommend comfortable walking shoes, water, a snack, sunscreen and a hat.

Street parking and paid off-street parking are available near the starting point, according to organizers. Accessibility requests can be made through the City’s service center, and 72 hours’ advance notice is recommended.

NEED TO KNOW — Event: Stories of Displacement: the 710 Stub. When: Saturday, Oct. 24. Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: Free; advance registration requested. Where: Central Park, 275 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Parking: Street and paid off-street parking nearby; check posted restrictions. For accessibility requests, call (626) 744-7311 or email CSC@cityofpasadena.net. For more, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stories-of-displacement-the-710-stub-tickets-1998556671805?aff=odcleoeventsincollection