Parks & Facilities Directory

The parks and recreational facilities within the City of South Pasadena are valued and highly regarded by South Pasadena’s citizens. Community parks provide open space and a place to go for active recreation or passive enjoyment of the outdoors.   

Neighborhood parks and playgrounds within the City of South Pasadena are designed to serve for family recreation within a convenient distance from home. Currently there are 92.2 acres of parks within the City of South Pasadena. The majority of this acreage (73.9 acres) is located in Arroyo Seco Park in the northwest portion of the City. Five other parks exist within the City boundaries: Garfield Park, Eddie Park, Library Park, Orange Grove Park, and War Memorial Park.

ARROYO PARK

Arroyo Park

614 Stoney Drive, South Pasadena, CA 91030 [Map]

Arroyo Park is 19.9 acres of improved parkland, including lighted athletic fields, playground equipment, and picnic areas. There are also included undeveloped lands, and a flood channel.

The park is divided into three sections: The upper section includes three lighted sports fields with backstops, parking and a small concession/storage building, and it is utilized regularly by the local Little League, American Youth Soccer Organization and softball leagues. The center portion of the park includes: group picnic shelter, tables, barbecue, a playground, storage building and a small amphitheater. Lastly, the southern portion of the park includes two lighted softball fields. Both the upper and lower parts of the park are utilized for soccer during the fall season.

An equestrian/hiking trail is on the south and west perimeter of the park connecting to the Arroyo Park.

Commercial recreation includes a golf course/driving range/miniature golf course (27.8 acres), racquet center (3.2 acres), stables (15.7 acres), batting cages (1.5 acres) and skate park (1.0 acres).

Total area: 73.9 acres.
Arroyo Park: The 19.9 acre Arroyo Park is located on the north sided of the Pasadena 110 Freeway. Arroyo Park provides major lighted athletic fields for South Pasadena.

 

ARROYO SECO GOLF COURSE

Arroyo Seco Golf Course

1055 Lohman Lane, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Hidden in the shady arroyo below the 110 Freeway in South Pasadena, Arroyo Seco Golf Course offers golfers a range of activities for every age and skill level. The course is now under the management of Donovan Brothers Golf, who operate a handful of Southland courses and have over 30 years of experience in course management. With an 18-hole, Par 3 course, full driving range, 9-hole miniature golf course, and putting and chipping practice areas, Arroyo Seco covers the gamut of golf, all provided at an affordable cost.

Arroyo Seco’s strength comes from the individual charm of each of it’s collective parts. The range offers a spacious practice area at a competitive price. The 18-hole, Par 54, 1,953 yard course, tucked away from the surrounding neighborhood by a mature tree-line, boasts well-maintained fairways and greens—impressively groomed for an Executive course. Also, it stays open late; the course is illuminated until 8PM Thursdays - Sundays, weather permitting. The miniature golf course, popular among teens and families, is one of the most enticing features at Arroyo Seco. The track has 9 challenging holes, including the signature hole with an ominous, rotating Dutch windmill. It’s affordable, competitive fun.

As part of the South Pasadena landscape since the 1950s, Arroyo Seco has a rich tradition in the local community. Today, five teaching professionals offer lessons for beginners and professionals alike. Avid golfers meet weekly on the links, with the Men’s club playing Tuesday mornings and the Women’s club gathering on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

Donovan Brothers Golf (donovanbrosgolf.com), the course’s new management, has been running golf operations in Southern California since 1976. Their love for the game of golf inspires friendly, professional service and a meticulous attention to course maintenance. The Donovan Brothers’ Insider Tip: Weekdays, leave the office early to beat the after-work crowd, then bring the kids over for a round of mini-golf. On the weekends, hit the course in the cool of the morning, then perfect your swing at the range after the round.

Arroyo Seco Golf Course is the perfect respite from the business of life. This jewel of South Pasadena is the antithesis to the hustle of the city and is the best way to unwind, relax, and enjoy quality golf for an affordable price.

Golf Rates:
Please visit ArroyoSecoGC.com for rates and information.

Nighttime rates available- the course has lights and is open until 8pm, weather permitting, Thursday - Sunday.

Hours: 7:00AM - 9:00PM, with last bucket sold at 8:00pm.
For tee-times, room rentals, parties or course details, please visit ArroyoSecoGC.com
or call: (323) 255-1506

Click here for more information

 

ARROYO SECO RACQUET CLUB

Arroyo Seco Racquet Club

1055 Lohman Lane, South Pasadena, CA 91030

Hours of Operations:
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Amenities:
9 Lighted Tennis Courts
3 Squash Courts
Locker Rooms
Kids Room
Lounge and Patio Area
Pro Shop

Membership required.

Contact information:
1055 Lohman Lane
South Pasadena, Ca 91030
(323) 258-4178
Click herefor more information

 

 

ARROYO WOODLAND & WILDLIFE NATURE PARK

Arroyo Woodland & Wildlife Nature Park

Pasadena Avenue before York Blvd. Bridge [Map]

This three acre park includes meandering trails among rarely see native California Walnut trees. The Woodland and Wildlife Park Trail begins at the park entrance and continues along the east side of the Arroyo Seco in South Pasadena. A lookout point located in the center of the park offers views of the historical York Boulevard Bridge, Mount Washington, the Verdugo Mountains, and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Natural features help define South Pasadena’s borders. Raymond Hill, to the north, overlooks the city of Pasadena. The Monterey Hills, in the southwest, straddle South Pasadena’s border with Los Angeles. The dry watercourse of the Arroyo Seco, arising in the San Gabriel Mountains and extending to the Los Angeles River, traces the western boundary of the city.

The City seeks to strike a balance between accommodating growth, providing recreational relief and developed open space amenities for residents, and conserving the natural environment as an exercise of responsible stewardship.

The Arroyo Seco: The Lower Arroyo Seco provides not only opportunities for recreation, but also the potential for a wildlife ecosystem within city limits.

The city strives to develop recreational opportunities while protecting and restoring the ecosystem, and recognizing the important flood control functions of the area.

Along the northeast and east sides of town, the former creek, now flood channel defines the city boundary and, though traversing residential fabric, it is in certain portions an already established riparian and wildlife corridor.

Hillside areas: The hillsides and ridgelines of South Pasadena provide a scenic backdrop for the entire community. Because of the view, potential ridgelines are often the first choice of developers to locate homes. Protection of the City’s hillside areas is a matter of ensuring that development minimizes severe alteration of landform, flood problems, soil erosion, and slide damage. It is also a matter of protecting the “view-shed”, both from and to these hillsides, and retaining as much natural vegetation as possible.

 

EDDIE PARK & EDDIE PARK HOUSE

Eddie Park & Eddie Park House

2017 Edgewood Drive, South Pasadena, CA 91030 [Map]

Eddie Park is located on the southeast corner of Chelten Way and Edgewood Drive. The small 0.75 acre park includes the historic Eddie House, group barbecue area, and an open lawn area and small play area. The park is framed by a three-foot high brick wall.

The two story Eddie House and grounds were donated to the City by the Eddie family. The 2,200 square foot building is an example of Transitional Craftsman architecture. Only the first floor is utilized as a meeting place for various groups and programs that include: Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Reservations for this park and accompanying green space are not available.

GARFIELD PARK & GARFIELD YOUTH HOUSE

Garfield Park & Garfield Youth House

1000 Park Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030 [Map]

Garfield Park is 7 acres of improved park, including playground equipment, 2 tennis courts (lighted), picnic areas, and groomed parkland.

Garfield Park is a popular place for birthdays and picnics. It is also the place where community activities such as the Summer Concerts in the Park and other community gatherings take place. Other facilities include a Youth House, Healing Garden, playground, walking path, tennis courts, drinking fountains and a small fire ring. The park is surrounded by residential development.

South Pasadena's Garfield Park is also the first zero-emission American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) Green Zone municipal park in the United States. Gas powered landscape equipment has been replaced with new, innovative technology that offers quieter, cleaner, healthier lawn care to the City, the residents and the maintenance staff.

Visit the AGZA Garfield Park webpage for more information.

 

LIBRARY PARK

Library Park

Library Park consists of 2 acres of landscaped grounds surrounding the South Pasadena Public Library at El Centro Street, Diamond Avenue, Fairview Avenue, and Oxley Street.

The park landscape consists of mature trees, mounded grass areas and meandering walkways. Library Park is a passive neighborhood park which reflects the low key activities and functions of the Library and the Senior Center. The Senior Center consists of 800 square feet of space with a separate entrance on the north side of the library building.

On the south side of the Library, there are four benches, two bicycle racks and trash receptacles. The grassy mounds are favorite places to read and relax. Programs and activities at Library Park are primarily related to the Library and Senior Center functions.

You may view this handy map created by the South Pasadena Library that details each type of tree and location surrounding Library Park. Library Park - Tree Map View

 

LEGION PARK & WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING

Legion Park & War Memorial Building

The two-acre Legion Park located on Fair Oaks Avenue provides a site for the two-story 12,000 square feet War Memorial Building.

The War Memorial building was built in 1921 and is identified as a city cultural heritage landmark. The building was built on the former Oak Lawn Park with funding from city bonds and donations from the American Legion. The upper floor of the building includes a kitchen and a large multi-purpose room for dancing, meetings, banquets and other activities for groups up to 200 people. The lower consists of smaller rooms, storage and restroom facilities.

The grounds north of the building are dedicated for a landscaped memorial garden.

 

MERIDIAN IRON WORKS MUSEUM

Meridian Iron Works Museum

913 Meridian Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030 [Map]

The Meridian Iron Works Museum was constructed circa 1887 and is designated as South Pasadena Landmark #5. In 1982 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property in the South Pasadena Historic Business District. It is among a small number of comparably old wood frame buildings in the city and represents the earliest type of structures seen in the town’s commercial district before the turn of the twentieth century. The two-story, redwood building originally operated as a general store. Over time it has served as a hotel, ticket office, telegraph station, bicycle shop, chapel, and school. In 1943, this and adjacent utility structures, now demolished, became the site of a foundry known as Meridian Iron Works, which remained through the 1970s. The City of South Pasadena acquired the property, and due to its age and significance as a resource for community history, undertook extensive rehabilitation of the property in 1986.

Today, the building houses the South Pasadena Historical Museum operated by the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation. The museum displays a permanent collection of artifacts from the earliest history of South Pasadena and the entire San Gabriel Valley. Occasionally the museum will show private collections. 


Exterior Refurbishment Project

In January 2016, the City contracted with Architectural Resources Group (ARG) and architectural colorist and designer, Alisa Smith, to assist with historic preservation planning and provide full architectural services, including research on the physical and use history of the facility (through photographs, city documents, and online resources), analysis on the exterior color of the museum, and monitoring to ensure compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

During the August 18, 2016 Cultural Heritage Commission meeting, a presentation was made to solicit feedback regarding the repainting of the Meridian Iron Works Museum. The building is a rare and important historic resource for the City and the City’s goal is that its rehabilitation proceeds according to recognized preservation practices. ARG assisted in the selection process to ensure contractor demonstrates experience with historic preservation projects and technical understanding of historic preservation treatments. The City awarded contract to K.C. Restoration who demonstrated an understanding of the project, and has a team of qualified specialists trained under the guidelines of the American Institute of Conservation Code of Ethics and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Prior to the start of the painting project, the museum received a much needed new roof which was completed on September 16, 2016. The painting project was completed on November 7, 2016.

 

ORANGE GROVE PARK & RECREATION OFFICE

Orange Grove Park & Recreation Office

815 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030 [Map]

The 2.5 acre rectangular shaped Orange Grove Park is located at Mission Street and Orange Grove Avenue. As one of the City’s older parks, the site was formerly a beer garden and gaming house in 1886.

Today, Orange Grove Park is an active recreation park providing facilities for a lighted softball and soccer field, 2 lighted tennis courts, and a small playground.

Orange Grove Park has a two-story 9,500 square feet recreation building. The first floor of the building is used for recreation and day care programs. It is also equipped with a restroom accessible from outside of the building. The second floor serves as meeting space. Other park amenities include: drinking fountains, picnic tables, bleachers, and a bicycle rack.

 

SOUTH PASADENA BATTING CAGES

South Pasadena Batting Cages

660 Stoney Drive, South Pasadena, CA 91030

In 2024, the well-known Arroyo Batting Cages in South Pasadena were renovated by the Becerra family, long-time supporters of the local South Pasadena Little League. They took great joy in rejuvenating this beloved facility, breathing new life into it. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy a beautiful day at the cages. Conveniently located just south of all the arroyo little league fields, and nestled between a thriving dog park and a skate park, the South Pasadena Batting Cages are ready for generations of families to enjoy.

For more information, please visit southpasadenabattingcages.com

SOUTH PASADENA COMMUNITY GARDEN

South Pasadena Community Garden

1028 Magnolia Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030

The South Pasadena Community Garden is place for harmony and beauty where we cultivate a community of individuals committed to sustainable land use in an urban setting, providing the opportunity for residents to grow their own organic fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

SOUTH PASADENA DEMONSTRATION GARDEN

South Pasadena Demonstration Garden

1028 Magnolia Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030

The Demonstration Garden provides an opportunity for the community to learn ways to conserve energy and water, and have an attractive landscape taht is cost effective.

The Demonstration Garden includes a gazebo, seating bench, drinking fountain, bulletin board with conservation and gardening information, dog waste station, trash receptacle, and two bike racks. The seed library contains seed packets for residents to try for themselves in their own homes, along with books that you can take. The City of South Pasadena wants your help in spreading the word to conserve to the community as we exemplify simple ways of doing these types of modifications in your own front yard. This project was funded by Park Impact Fees and the Water Conservation Fund.

 

SOUTH PAW-SADENA DOG PARK

South PAW-sadena Dog Park

650 Stoney Drive, South Pasadena, CA 91030

The South Paw-sadena Dog Park is small secluded dog park located near the South Pasadena Skate Park, and All-Star Baseball Batting Cages.


For Dog Park rules, please refer below. 

South Paw-sadena Dog Park Rules (SPMC 21B)

  • Owners must be in attendance at all times within the dog park while their dogs are present.  Dogs must never be left unattended.
  • Owners must be in the park, within view of, and be able to maintain voice and/or physical control of their dog(s).
  • All dogs must be maintained on a leash while entering and exiting the designated off-leash area.
  • Owners must have a visible leash at all times.
  • Owners are required to immediately pick up and dispose of their dog’s waste in the provided waste receptacles.
  • Owners are personally liable for any damage and/or injury caused by their dogs.
  • Owners must deter their dog(s) from digging any holes.
  • No aggressive dog behavior is allowed at any time such as growling, snarling, snapping, lunging, biting, humping, or hysterical barking.
  • Vicious dogs are not permitted.
  • No animals other than dogs are permitted in the dog park.
  • No more than 3 dogs per owner are permitted.
  • No female dogs in heat are allowed in off-leash areas.
  • No person shall enter the dog park other than during hours of operation.
  • No food of any kind is allowed in the dog park.
  • All dogs must wear a collar with a valid license tag.
  • Puppies under 4 months of age are not permitted in the dog park.
  • Professional dog trainers/handlers are not permitted to use the facility for instruction unless authorized by the Community Services Department.
  • Children 14 and under must be supervised by an adult at all times. Parents and/or guardian of children shall not be permitted to run, shout, scream, or wave their arms or otherwise excite or antagonize dogs.
  • Any person or canine using the dog park must do so at their own risk. Pursuant to Government Code Section 831.7.5 the city is immune from liability for an injury or death of a person or a pet resulting from the actions of a dog in the dog park.
  • Owners must ensure that the dog park gates are closed and latched upon entering or exiting the area.
  • Smoking and alcohol are prohibited within the dog park.
  • The City reserves the right to refuse patron access.
  • The off-leash area is subject to closure without notice for maintenance.

 

SOUTH PASADENA SKATE PARK

South Pasadena Skate Park

660 Stoney Drive, South Pasadena, CA 91030

The South Pasadena Skate Park is located at the bottom of Stoney Drive in Arroyo Park, adjacent to the batting cages and South Paw-sadena Dog Park.


Skateboards and Skateboard Parks (Chapter 21A SPMC)

21A-1 Definitions:
(a)"Skateboard" means any material which has wheels attached and such wheels may be used for moving or propulsion, excluding scooters and similar devices.
(b)“Skateboard Park” shall mean any publicly owned or operated facility designed and maintained for the purpose of recreational skateboard use. (Ord. No. 2101, § 1.)

21A-2 Use of a Skateboard park:
(a)No person shall:
(1) Unless first expressly authorized by a city representative, use a skateboard park, except during the posted hours of operation;
(2) Use the skating surface of a skateboard park for any use other than for proper use of askateboard or in-line skates;
(3) Use the skating surface of a skateboard park unless that person is wearing proper safety equipment including a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads;
(4) Cause a bicycle to be on the skating surface of a skateboard park;
(5) Use alcohol or non-prescribed drugs in or within three hundred feet of a skateboard park; or be under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs while at a skateboard park;
(6) Dispose of debris, waste and trash except in an appropriate receptacle provided by the city;
(7) Apply graffiti or engage in tagging at a skateboard park;
(8) Skate, run or stand on or jump from, or otherwise employ any fence, wall, curb or driveway unless within the skating area of a skateboard park;
(9) Use or be upon a skateboard park while wearing an audio headset;
(10) Introduce, employ or use any unauthorized equipment, obstacle or apparatus within a skateboard park;
(11) Enter or remain in a skateboard park with any food or beverage;
(12) Play amplified music within a skateboard park;
(13) Use profane or abusive language or act in any discourteous manner; or
(14) Skate in a skateboard park owned and operated by the city, unless the skateboarder (if an adult) or a parent or guardian of the skateboarder (if a minor) has signed an indemnification for, and release of, liability form. That form shall be provided by the city and shall be signed in the presence of a city representative or notary public and filed with the city.
(b)If any person violates one or more of the rules listed in this section, then a city representative may cause that person to be removed and prevented from being on or within three hundred feet of a skateboard park. (Ord. No. 2101, § 1.)

21A-4 Violations:
Any person violating any provision of Section 21A-2 of this code:
(a)Is guilty of an infraction and subject to a fine in an amount not to exceed fifty dollars for a first conviction, and seventy-five dollars for a second conviction within one year, and one hundred fifty dollars for each additional conviction within one year; and
(b)Upon conviction of a violation may be temporarily restricted from entering a skateboard park.