[photo credit: City of Pasadena]
The Neighborhood Walk and Roll is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Registration is recommended but not required, and the event is promoted for participants of all ages and abilities.
Participants will explore the neighborhood together and discuss conditions affecting residents’ health and daily lives. Topics will include air pollution, access to healthy and affordable food, greener and safer streets, affordable housing, physical activity and access to public spaces.
The findings will inform Pasadena’s developing Environmental Justice Element, a new section of the City’s General Plan intended to address environmental burdens and inequities while advancing public health, equity and environmental sustainability.
The City is preparing the element to comply with Senate Bill 1000, a 2016 California law requiring covered cities and counties to identify disadvantaged communities and address environmental justice in their general plans. The law allows jurisdictions to adopt a separate element or incorporate environmental justice goals and policies into other General Plan elements when they adopt or concurrently revise two or more elements.
State-required policy areas include reducing pollution exposure and other health risks, improving air quality, expanding access to public facilities and healthy food, promoting safe and sanitary housing and physical activity, increasing civic participation and prioritizing improvements in disadvantaged communities.
Pasadena has organized its planning effort around six broad subjects: pollution exposure, housing, food access, public facilities and programs, active living and inclusive community engagement.
The City’s preliminary analysis identifies seven Northwest Pasadena census tracts for further study. The area is generally bordered by the Foothill Freeway on the south, Arroyo Boulevard on the west, Los Robles Avenue and portions of Lake Avenue on the east, and Woodbury Road in some northern locations.
City materials say the preliminary area faces relatively high transportation-related air pollution, lead exposure and economic burdens. Officials have stressed that the boundaries will be adjusted and shaped by community input.
A City presentation also identifies historical housing discrimination and freeway construction as part of Pasadena’s environmental justice context, including redlining and displacement connected to the Foothill Freeway and the partially completed state Route 710 extension.
The City has already received approximately 355 responses to an environmental justice survey offered in English and Spanish. Officials said in September that the responses were being analyzed, but the results, respondent demographics and geographic distribution had not been released.
Saturday’s event follows a Sept. 15 Neighborhood Walk and Roll that began at Villa Parke Community Center. Additional outreach includes an open house and resource fair from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Robinson Park and a virtual community meeting from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 21.
The Oct. 3 walk is also part of Pasadena’s Walktober campaign, a monthlong series of walking activities supported by the City Department of Transportation, Day One and the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition. Mayor Victor M. Gordo proclaimed October 2026 as Walktober and Pedestrian Safety Month.
Organizers recommend that participants bring water, sunscreen, a snack, walking shoes and a hat. People seeking accessibility accommodations may call (626) 744-7311 or email CSC@cityofpasadena.net; organizers said 72 hours’ advance notice would help ensure accommodations are available.
The event listing reports City-installed bicycle racks and street parking at or near the recreation center, although parking remains subject to posted restrictions. Paid parking is not available in the area. Organizers encourage participants to walk, bicycle or use public transportation when possible.
Additional information is available from the Planning and Community Development Department at EJElement@cityofpasadena.net. Registration for Saturday’s event is available at bit.ly/EJwalkshop2.
Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. For more email EJElement@cityofpasadena.net or visit bit.ly/EJwalkshop2. Tickets: Free.
