Nature Park - Weeding Wild Suburbia

The South Pas Nature Park (officially The South Pasadena Arroyo Seco Woodland and Wildlife Park) is a small parcel along the Arroyo Seco graced with mature coast live oaks, southern walnuts and western sycamores. Planted with sage, buckwheat and other native coastal sage scrub plants the park provides an inviting environment for birds, lizards, squirrels and numerous other critters. Locals too enjoy walking, jogging and horseback riding through the park.

Volunteer at the Park

In 2006 the Friends of the Nature Park was created as a community stewardship group for the park. Join us on Saturdays (usually the third Saturday of the month – with no cleanups in July, August and December – at the South Pas Nature Park on Pasadena Ave. to plant, remove weeds and litter, build paths, and enjoy the park. Come for the whole time, for an hour, or just stop by to say hello!

Where: 100 block of Pasadena Avenue in So Pas, east of York Street Bridge
When: Usually 3rd Saturday of the month, 9 am – noon (no cleanups in July, August and December)

Nature Park volunteers should:

Face mask is recommended – helps with allergies as well as COVID
Wear sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
Bring plenty of water
Bring gardening gloves and tools (weeders, trowels, whatever you use in your own garden), there are extra tools and gloves for those who need them
Wear comfortable work clothes, including work shoes (sneakers or boots) and long pants
Bring binoculars for birdwatching (optional)

Children must be under adult supervision at all times. There is poison oak in the park that we will point out before starting. Also, if you are expecting a group of 10 or more, please email me at barbara@weedingwildsuburbia.com so that we can have enough tools.

The South Pas Nature Park is a 4-acre habitat park along the Arroyo Seco. The entrance, marked by a small plaque on an attractive river rock wall, is in the 100 block of Pasadena Avenue in South Pasadena, east of the York Street Bridge. There is plenty of on-street parking on Pasadena Avenue.

Upcoming Cleanups and Events (2022 – 2023)

3rd Saturday of the month, 9 am – noon. Please check upcoming events for dates and confirm on Facebook or email.

SEPT 17, 2022
OCT 15, 2022
NOV 19, 2022
NO SCHEDULED CLEANUP IN DECEMBER
JAN 21, 2023 – PLANTING PARTY
FEB 18, 2023
MAR 18, 2023
MAR 18, 2023 (1-4PM) – GARDEN TOUR AND SUSTAINABILITY FAIR
APR 15, 2023
MAY 20, 2023
JUNE 17, 2023
NO SCHEDULED CLEANUPS IN JULY AND AUGUST

Enjoy the following slideshow with images of the nature park from the 1930s to date. View its transformation from a neglected and degraded site to coastal sage scrub and oak/walnut/sycamore woodland. Better yet, visit the park at the 100 block of Pasadena Avenue in South Pasadena.