20 Years ArroyoFest 2003 - 2023

Pedestrians promenade along the parkway - June 15, 2003 - Photo by Virginia Renner

In June 2003 the original “ArroyoFest” opened up the historic Arroyo Seco Parkway for the public to enjoy on foot and bike. Ahead of its time, the event was successfully staged despite many, many obstacles. For those who had the opportunity to experience the historic parkway by foot, it left an indelible mark. It was the first time the iconic stretch of parkway was accessible to pedestrians since its opening in 1940. The novelty of the event was such that regional and national media outlets covered it in depth.  And the assumption was it wouldn't be 20 years until the public had the chance to do so again. 

Many things have changed in the intervening 20 years. Metro Los Angeles added light rail service along the corridor to Pasadena, and then extended the line to Azusa. The formerly Gold, now "A" line, helped connect the communities of the Arroyo Seco to the larger LA Metro region, a project that is still underway with the recent opening of the Regional Connector and under construction extension to Pomona.

During this time the Arroyo Seco walking and bicycling path was connected to South Pasadena. However the path still lacks a connection to the Los Angeles River.   

Will the second coming of ArroyoFest inspire a new generation to engage on sustainable mobility, safety and health issues along the Arroyo Seco?    

2003 ArroyoFest Resources

• The Magic of ArroyoFest - Reinventing Los Angeles - Dr. Bob Gottlieb
• ​The People's Freeway - Marcus Renner
• KCET archival video coverage
  
• 2003 ArroyoFest photos courtesy of Marcus Renner, Bob Gottlieb, Amanda Schaffer, Charles Lee, Jerilyn Lopez Mendoza, Joan Dooley, Kelli Keenan, Michelle Clark, Tony Lin, Anne Dove, Eileen Takata, Virginia Renner, Don Saewert, Jim Clark, Lars and Jenny Jorgenson, and Marjorie Schmeltz.