The South Pas Active Streets family bike ride was held on March 16, bringing together nearly 100 children and adults together to explore the city alongside local leaders.
South Pasadena Mayor Evelyn Zneimer, City Councilwoman Janet Braun and Alhambra Vice Mayor Sasha Renee Perez joined the many families in the 3.8-mile round-trip journey on Mission Street, traveling from Garfield Park to the Arroyo Seco. At one point, the line of families riding down Mission stretched continuously from Arroyo Drive to Grand Avenue.
South Pas Active partnered with South Pasadena Beautiful and the Friends of the South Pasadena Nature Park and four other local organizations to create an immersive experience for families at the Arroyo Seco Woodland and Wildlife Park. Activities included a scavenger hunt, preparation of plant cuttings and education on native species.
“Getting to take my 4-year-old and 6-year-old on a safe bike event in South Pas was amazing,” said Nate Bolt of South Pasadena. “The kids had a blast and loved the scavenger hunt and planting monkeyflowers.”
Along with the three organizing groups, many other local organizations pitched in to make the event a success. South Pasadena Radio Club acted as emergency communication ride marshals delivering contact among the chaperones in the long train of bikes as they made their way along Mission.
Once back at Garfield Park, Marengo Elementary’s Ta family generously donated food and drinks for the picnic while The D.U.D.E.S., along with high school students from South Pasadena’s Lion’s Hearts, volunteered to set up and help serve the families attending the picnic.
After the children fueled up, they split their time between frolicking around on the playground and creating cards at the nature-themed arts and crafts area coordinated by The Hive South Pasadena.
“The energy of the group was infectious,” said John Aboud, president of the South Pasadena Radio Club. “I loved seeing so many people experience the Nature Park and the Arroyo bike path for the first time. I hope the ride encouraged everyone who participated, and even some bystanders, to get on their bikes more often. Our two radio volunteers don’t live in South Pasadena, and they both said they now want to visit more often.”
Additional outside organizations supplemented the safety contingent of ride marshals, including ActiveSGV, the Pasadena Complete Street Coalition and Alhambra’s Safe Streets for SGV.
First published in the March 22 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
