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.

South Pasadena Nature Park Resources
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Location, 100 block of Pasadena Ave, South Pasadena
- Nature Park Plan
- Calendar with Park Cleanup Dates
PRESENTATIONS
- You Mean There’s A Nature Park in South Pasadena (6 MB)
- The Story of South Pasadena Nature Park (6 MB)
- South Pasadena and the Arroyo Seco (7 MB)
- Friends of the South Pas Nature Park (12MB)
SOCIAL MEDIA
- Facebook Page, Friends of South Pasadena Nature Park
- Website
- Nature Park Posts in WeedingWildSuburbia
- Email barbara@weedingwildsuburbia.com
ARTICLES
- Park Stewardship in an Urban Landscape, Fremontia, 2009, pp. 16-19
- A Bit of History on South Pas Nature Park, Parch, 1/23/2012
- After the Ribbon Cutting, Pacific Horticulture, 2018
- Arroyo Seco Woodland and Wildlife Park Volunteers Receive Cert. of Appreciation, South Pasadenan, 3/26/19
- Los Angeles Excursions. 8/3/19
- Friends of SP Nature Park – Get Free Milkweed Seeds, South Pasadenan, 2/18/21
Fantastic plan and schematics. This park is growing!
So glad you enjoyed the nature park on one of your LA excursions (https://excursionsaroundla.wordpress.com/2019/08/04/kilncarved-plate-glass-class-and-arroyo-woodlands-park/)