South Pasadena Nature Park

In the 1990’s this three acre piece of land was condemned to be sold and developed. However, it was through community activism that the land was preserved as an open space. Construction began in 2004 and the park has steadily grown since. The edges of the park are lined with mature oaks, sycamores, walnuts and toyons. There is also a very healthy stand of poison oak mixed in, which is lovely to see, but maybe not to touch. The open space of the park is filled with small trails that take you through buck- wheats, bladder pods, California sage and an impressive group of coast sunflowers that are simply spectacular when in bloom. The butterfly garden that was completed in 2018 features milkweeds, penstemons, wildflowers and a stunning chaparral mallow. There are three viewpoints with information signs for the native plants, the monarch butterfly and a helpful guide to the visible peaks, such as the well known Mount Baldy and the delightfully named Mount Disappointment. The park connects to the greater Arroyo Seco trails and it is not uncommon to see riders on horseback pass through the park. While coming in the spring could never disappoint, especially with all those coast sunflowers, summer has the buckwheats in bloom and the Nevin’s barberries at the entrance are covered in bright red berries. The chaparral mallow in the butterfly garden is simply spectacular and would warrant a visit in the hot sun.