First published in the Jan. 27 print issue of the Pasadena Outlook.
The One Arroyo Foundation recently received a $1 million grant from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, with the support of City Council, to restore and reunify the Arroyo Seco trail network in Pasadena — considered one of Pasadena’s most treasured natural resources.
Focusing on the Lower Arroyo trail loop, the project will repair and enhance about 3.5 miles of trail, making it safer and more accessible by including features for people with disabilities, new signage, erosion control and slope stabilization. There will also be opportunities to learn about the history of the Arroyo Seco and ongoing conservation efforts. The project will allow for continuous travel by wildlife in the area and protect native plant species from drought. The more than 900 acres of urban forest within the Arroyo Secco provides a total of 22 miles of trails in Pasadena.
State Sen. Anthony Portantino testified yesterday in strong support of the $1 million grant from the SMMC and spoke at the group’s meeting.
“One Arroyo is a great project for the city of Pasadena and I was very excited to collaborate with former Mayor Bill Bogaard and many others to help make this grant come to fruition,” Portantino said. “I am grateful to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for its analysis and vote in favor of the $1 million grant and very pleased that the state Senate made funding our conservancies a top legislative priority. I look forward to continuing efforts to expand and preserve open space in our communities. This is an important step towards that goal.”
The Conservancy received significant funding in the 2021-22 State Budget as a result of Portantino’s negotiations and the state Senate’s budget priorities. His role as chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations was instrumental in the final budget negotiations.
When informed of the grant, Bogaard, CFO of One Arroyo Foundation, said, “The Foundation extends profound thanks to Senator Portantino for his interest in the Arroyo Seco and his support for One Arroyo’s mission to restore the twenty miles of trails on the banks of the Arroyo. This grant enables the Foundation to proceed ahead of schedule with its first major Arroyo trails restoration project. We could not be more grateful to the senator and the SMMC.”
