It’s been a year today since over 40 thousand people gathered to reimagine Los Angeles and South Pasadena’s historic Arroyo Seco Parkway as a car-free, open space. On October 29, 2023, ActiveSGV co-hosted the 20th anniversary of “ArroyoFest” alongside Metro Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. The event allowed community members to explore six miles of freeway on foot, bikes, skates, and more, transforming the Arroyo Seco Parkway into a vibrant place for connection and shared experiences.
ArroyoFest was monumental for our small team at ActiveSGV, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of countless supporters, including local neighborhood associations, community groups, elected officials, and the Cities of South Pasadena, Los Angeles, and Pasadena. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped plan, promote, and produce the second ArroyoFest. This free, family-friendly gathering simply wouldn’t have happened without the contributions of hundreds of people who came together to create a memorable experience for people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.
Reflecting on the event, Program Director Danielle described the profound impact of the day: "It was a surreal sight seeing hundreds of people biking, walking, and rolling together on the freeway, something you’d never expect to experience in a lifetime. I had finally found a moment to ride the route myself after months of planning. It was overwhelming, in the best way possible. The energy was electric, and the turnout was beyond what we ever imagined."
She continued, "The day after, as I rested at home, I scrolled through TikToks from the event. There were so many posts—it was the most publicity we’d ever gotten! Seeing how much joy we brought to the community, knowing we created an experience people would remember, filled me with a great sense of accomplishment. It’s moments like these that remind me why we’re working so hard toward a less car-dependent, healthier, greener, cleaner air future for the SGV. What if every day looked like ArroyoFest?"
Jenna, a Pasadena resident, and new ActiveSGV team member, echoed the community spirit of the event, saying, "As a Pasadena resident, it was such a joy to reclaim six miles of the 110 freeway/Arroyo Seco Parkway as a pedestrian. While walking on the parkway, I was delighted to dance to live music, wave at the Metro A Line train, and witness people of all ages walking, biking, rolling, and even crawling with a deep sense of community and joy."
Bringing ArroyoFest to life took a village. Reflecting on such a monumental day naturally raises the question: “When’s the next ArroyoFest?” While we’d love to bring it back every year, the reality is that ArroyoFest is a massive undertaking. Coordinating with multiple agencies, securing funding and permits, and managing logistics took more than a little elbow grease, it was almost five years of work! Additionally, organizing open streets events, while rewarding, is not our primary mission at ActiveSGV. Our focus remains on creating sustainable, long-term improvements—such as permanent greenways, safer streets for biking and walking, and accessible urban spaces across the San Gabriel Valley.
ArroyoFest was a reminder of the power of community action. As we look forward, ActiveSGV will continue working towards safer streets and sustainable spaces that reflect our vision for a greener San Gabriel Valley. Our open streets team also stands ready to support a future generation of ArroyoFest organizers. The visionaries behind the inaugural event – including Professor Bob Gottlieb and Marcus Renner – were incredibly gracious in sharing their wisdom with us. The least we can do is pass this knowledge forward; the final report for the event can be found here.
To learn more about upcoming events and join us in this journey, visit activestreets.org. ArroyoFest is a vision we can build on together—what if every day looked like this?
