ActiveSGV 2025 Recap

The year began with a stark reminder of the climate reality we face. In January, the Eaton Fires swept through the valley, displacing families and scarring the landscape we cherish. This disaster defined the early months of 2025 and challenged our community like never before. Yet, in the face of devastation, the San Gabriel Valley showed up. Neighbors supported neighbors. Donation drives overflowed with generosity. Our collective focus shifted immediately to recovery and aid. This outpouring of solidarity underscored the urgency of our work and the enduring strength of our people.

*An incredible outpouring of donations for wildfire relief in January.*

The fires were the most visible crisis, but they were not the only test we faced. Our organization navigated a tightening funding landscape, and our community faced increased anxiety over immigration enforcement actions. Yet, these hurdles did not stop the work of building a more livable, equitable, and sustainable future for our region. Instead, they reinforced why we do what we do.

Throughout the rest of the year, ActiveSGV continued to advance critical projects across the valley. We opened new greenways and transformed schoolyards. We expanded food access and launched affordable e-bike programs. We celebrated open streets and empowered youth leaders. Below, we look back at how our community came together to turn a year of challenge into one of steady, meaningful progress.

GREENER NEIGHBORHOODS AND SAFER PATHS

A large group of volunteers in safety vests pose together in a landscaped median with tools and buckets. — *Volunteers gather for a community greening and clean-up effort.*

This year was about creating spaces where nature and neighborhoods meet. A major highlight was opening the Merced Avenue Greenway, which transformed a busy corridor into a welcoming, shade-filled path for families walking and biking. It also introduced the first sidewalk-level bike path in the San Gabriel Valley, making it safer for riders of all ages.

We also continued working with residents to design the Merced Avenue Stormwater Capture Project, the Rio Hondo Ecosystem Restoration Project, and the EMCSD Living Schoolyards initiative. These projects are all about bringing more shade, cleaner air, and outdoor learning spaces directly to our communities. Over the course of the year, we connected with over 7,000 neighbors at local events and workshops to ensure these spaces truly reflect the needs of the people who use them.

NOURISHING OUR COMMUNITY

Volunteers and community members sort through fresh produce at an outdoor table covered with herbs, peppers, and potatoes. — *Neighbors share and distribute homegrown food at a local crop swap.*

Our CalFresh Healthy Living team spent the year connecting with residents through food. We hosted over 150 events, bringing people together for cooking classes, nutrition workshops, and produce distributions. At Obregon Park alone, we shared over 63,850 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables with local families. Even as federal funding shifts created uncertainty for food assistance programs, our team stood by our neighbors, advocating for essential services and protecting access to healthy food across the region.

The LA Food Equity Fund team strengthened our local food network by partnering with Lopez Urban Farm, La Madera Community Garden, and the Jeff Seymour Family Center. We hosted crop swaps and taste-testing events where residents could exchange homegrown produce and learn new recipes. These gatherings went beyond basic nutrition. They became opportunities to share culture, build skills, and ensure everyone had a seat at the table.

CELEBRATING OPEN STREETS AND COMMUNITY RIDES

A crowded open street event with colorful papel picado overhead. People walk, shop, and explore vendor booths. — *Streets come alive with art, music, and community at our open streets events.*

2025 was a year of joy and movement. We filled the calendar with rides and celebrations that brought thousands of people outdoors. Active Streets returned with two significant events—Mission at Twilight in May and Corazón del Valle in November. These days, local streets are being transformed into car-free playgrounds where families can explore their neighborhoods safely. Seeing kids learn to ride and neighbors catching up in the middle of the street reminded us how community-centered planning brings people together.

A group of riders pose with E-bikes in front of an ActiveSGV tent. — *Riders gather at the Easy Access Pop-up*

Our Easy Access and GoSGV teams helped residents explore the hidden gems of the San Gabriel Valley. We led rides to the Santa Fe Dam Nature Center, Cultiva LA Farms, and along our local river paths, introducing many people to the Emerald Necklace for the first time. Our pop-up events at parks offered free e-bike checkouts, giving folks a low-pressure way to try something new. It was inspiring to see the smiles on the faces of riders who hadn’t been on a bike in years.

MAKING CLEAN TRANSPORTATION AFFORDABLE

A man sits in the driver’s seat of an SGV Carshare electric vehicle and smiles at the camera. — *A resident gets ready for a drive with SGV Carshare.*

We believe sustainable travel should be accessible to everyone. This year, we focused on removing barriers to clean mobility. Our SGV Carshare and BAAEC Carshare programs lowered prices and expanded outreach to reach more families. We listened to resident feedback through focus groups and ride-alongs to make sure these services actually fit people’s daily lives. GoSGV also launched a new Equity Membership, offering a deeply discounted annual e-bike option so that income is never a barrier to riding an electric bike.

The Green SGV Voucher program helped 300 households bring home their own electric family or cargo bike. By providing $2,000 vouchers, we made these "super bikes" a reality for families who can now use them to drop kids off at school, pick up groceries, or commute to work. We loved showing families how these bikes can replace car trips and make everyday errands more fun.

YOUTH SHAPING THE FUTURE

A group of youth stands on a Metro platform while a guide gestures toward the tracks. — *Students learn how to navigate transit during a youth mobility tour.*

Young people were at the heart of our work this year. The YPAR Fellowship empowered students to become advocates for their own cities. They conducted walk audits and transit tours in Pasadena and Santa Monica, presenting real recommendations to local leaders. It was powerful to see youth taking ownership of their streets.

Meanwhile, the Living Schoolyards Project transformed campuses at Cortada, Gidley, and Shirpser schools in El Monte. These projects replaced asphalt with nature, creating cooler, greener places for students to learn and play. At San Rafael Elementary, students worked side by side with artists to paint a stunning 100-foot mural of native plants and animals, adding color and pride to their schoolyard.

PARKS AND NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION

A group of people walk along a wide trail through a natural open space on a sunny day. — *Exploring Puente Hills Landfill during a guided community hike.*

Residents rolled up their sleeves this year to shape the future of our parks. We received hundreds of creative naming ideas and thoughtful feedback for the upcoming Puente Hills Landfill Park, Burke Heritage Park, and the Little Dalton Wash greenway. Beautification days along the Merced Avenue Greenway brought neighbors together to mulch, plant, and care for the land.

Volunteers dig and shape soil along a sidewalk under an ActiveSGV canopy during a rain garden installation. — *Volunteers build a rain garden along the corridor.*

The Rain Garden Pilot Project brought this spirit of stewardship right to people’s front yards. Volunteers helped neighbors transform their lawns into beautiful rain gardens that capture water and support native plants. It was a hands-on way for residents to build a more resilient neighborhood, one yard at a time.

HEALTH, CLIMATE, AND CONNECTION

Our climate and health work focused on connecting people with resources that improve daily life. Through our partnership with the Trusted Messenger Network, we shared vital information on staying safe during extreme heat, mental health support, and water conservation. We prioritized listening to residents about what they need from county infrastructure, ensuring language and background were never barriers to being heard.

Fuel reduction team on a trail. — *This year's FRYE cohort helped with fuel reduction to increase fire resiliency and lower wildfire risk in the San Gabriel Mountains.*

We also wrapped up the Forest Resiliency and Youth Engagement (FRYE) Program, which trained young adults in trail stewardship and wildfire safety, and the Power Savers campaign, which helped households save money on energy bills. These programs were all about giving people the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in a changing climate.

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS TOGETHER

A large group of people pose together outdoors under string lights at a nighttime gathering. — *ActiveSGV staff at Noche de las Luminarias.*

In 2025, ActiveSGV celebrated 15 years of community-driven change. What started as a small group of neighbors pushing for safer streets has grown into a regional movement for health, equity, and sustainability. Over the last decade and a half, we’ve worked side-by-side with you to plant trees, build bike lanes, grow food, and bring investment to our neighborhoods. This anniversary wasn’t just about looking back; it was a promise to keep working together for the next 15 years.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026

As we look toward 2026, the path ahead is both critical and challenging. Shifting funding landscapes and rising climate uncertainties mean that our work to build a sustainable, equitable San Gabriel Valley is more urgent than ever. We have ambitious goals—transforming more asphalt schoolyards into cool, green campuses, connecting disconnected neighborhoods with safe bike paths, and ensuring no family in our region goes without fresh food. But we cannot do this alone.

We need your help to bridge the gap. Your donation directly funds the tools, advocacy, and boots-on-the-ground effort required to make these projects a reality. It puts e-bikes in the hands of residents who need affordable transport, plants trees in our most heat-vulnerable neighborhoods, and keeps our active streets events free and open to all.

Please, make a contribution today. Your support is not just a donation; it is an investment in a cleaner, safer, and more resilient future for all of us.

Support our work at activesgv.org/donate