On Sunday, October 29, six miles of historic Arroyo Seco Parkway in Los Angeles and South Pasadena were filled with tens of thousands of people on foot, bike, skate, and all manner of wheeled devices for the 20th anniversary “ArroyoFest”, presented by Metro Los Angeles in partnership with ActiveSGV and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. The first ArroyoFest was organized in 2003 by staff at Occidental College’s Institute of Urban and Environmental Policy to raise awareness about environmental justice issues within the Arroyo Seco.
The event kicked off on Mission Street in South Pasadena with local dignitaries, including the one and only Gabe the Sasquatch, Mayor of the San Gabriel Mountains. The larger-than-life official spokesperson for 626 Golden Streets joined State Senator Anthony Portantino, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Mayor Jon Primuth, and SGVCOG President/Mayor of La Verne Tim Hepburn in providing comments to the thousands of 10k runners awaiting the event start time. A few seconds before 7 AM Gabe and friends released 50 doves provided by White Dove Release. As the birds began their flight home to Hacienda Heights, the runners headed north on Orange Grove Boulevard and quickly filled the southbound lanes of the 110.
Within the first hour the parkway steadily filled with runners, walkers, bicyclists, and others who came out to enjoy the rare opportunity to experience a highway devoid of cars. Runners of all ages and abilities participated in the point-to-point run, earning a Metro TAP card at the finish line and a convenient ride back to the start.
Along the event route live musical performances provided an eclectic, acoustic backdrop to an otherwise noisy highway. Sycamore Grove Park in Highland Park played host to the Lummis Day Festival, featuring a wide assortment of cultural and arts activities, as well as live poetry. The main stage in South Pasadena featured several live musical acts.
Event attendees were also able to rent and test ride electric-assist bicycles with the San Gabriel Valley’s regional electric bike share program, GoSGV. Launched in summer 2022 the program offers monthly subscriptions for electric-assist City- and Family/Cargo- style bicycles to San Gabriel Valley residents. For ArroyoFest, organizers provided 50 program e-bikes for event day use, several of which participants opted to keep for a monthly rental rather than checking back in at the end of the day.
From 7 AM to 11 AM an estimated 45,000 people participated in the second ‘ArroyoFest’ ciclovia, making the event one of the largest ciclovias in the San Gabriel Valley to date. The next 626 Golden Streets - a re-staging of “Mission to Mission” - is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, April 28, 2024. More information about upcoming events will be available at 626goldenstreets.com.
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Active San Gabriel Valley (ActiveSGV) is a community-based organization committed to realizing a more sustainable, equitable San Gabriel Valley, and the lead organizer of 626 Golden Streets. ActiveSGV offers a wide array of community programming, including the GoSGV regional E-bike share program (www.goSGV.org), free physical activity events (e.g., yoga classes, bicycle safety, community rides), and support for more active, healthy communities. For more information please visit: activeSGV.org.
The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) is a regional government planning agency that aims to maximize the quality of life in the San Gabriel Valley. A joint powers authority consisting of 31 incorporated cities and unincorporated communities, the SGVCOG is the largest and most diverse sub-regional council of governments in Los Angeles County, encompassing more than 374 square miles and serving more than 2 million residents. For more information please visit: sgvcog.org
