Photo by Matthew Traucht 2014: The Cultural Landscape Foundation

Explore gardens and native plants with Council Member Jess Rivas in District 5, including a visit to Washington Park. CA Native plant proponent and early visionary for native plant gardens, Theodore Payne, was involved in the design of Washington Park, among others in Pasadena, as well as Descanso Gardens.

Washington Park has a lot to offer that's mostly hidden from view at the street level. "This was one of the city’s earliest public parks, created within a three-acre vacant lot on the southeast corner of El Molino Avenue and Washington Boulevard that was purchased in 1920. In 1922, landscape architects Ralph Cornell and Theodore Payne completed a plan for the park and its "sunken gardens." The site, a natural stream basin, had irregular terrain, which the designers leveraged with the incorporation of pathways, river rock walls, native plants, a rustic stone bridge, a tennis court and small playground. In the 1940s. The Works Progress Administration constructed a stone wall and an additional 2.1 acres were purchased, making space for a softball diamond, a new playground, and a parking lot. Basketball and handball courts and adult exercise equipment were added over time." (source - The Cultural Landscape Foundation).

We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, sunblock, a hat, and bring water.

Please register/RSVP in advance so we know how many attendees to expect.

This event is part of Pasadena Walktober 2022, made possible by the City of Pasadena Department of Transportation.