Monrovia officials announced on Oct. 7 that the Station Square farmers market will pause on Oct. 18 and staff plan to relaunch the market in spring 2026. City staff cited initial strong interest followed by declining attendance — roughly 65 shoppers per week initially that dropped to about 10 — as a reason to pause and reassess.

Tina Cherry, who provided the farmers market update, told the council the pause is intended to allow time for nearby construction to finish, for potential vendors and shoppers to return as development advances, and for organizers to relaunch the market with stronger vendor participation.

In the city manager’s report, City Manager Dylan described “tentative agreements” with the Monrovia Unified School District to repair the city pool for the coming year and to explore opening some elementary school playgrounds after hours for community recreation. Dylan used the word “repair” for the pool; council members noted the schoolboard-level discussions have included language about a replacement rather than repair, and city staff said more information will be forthcoming.

Why it matters: the farmers market and school-property access both touch residents’ access to fresh food and recreational space. The market pause will reduce an immediate local access point for vendors and shoppers until it relaunches, and the pool/playground discussions could expand community recreation opportunities if agreements are reached.

What happened at the meeting: the council received the market update and did not record a separate motion to continue the market; staff announced a pause effective Oct. 18 with a goal to relaunch in April 2026. City Manager Dylan described negotiations with the Monrovia Unified School District about pool repairs and about opening elementary school playgrounds after hours; the transcript records these as tentative partnerships and not as executed agreements.

Next steps: the farmers market will pause Oct. 18; staff plan to relaunch in 2026 and will report progress. City staff will continue discussions with the school district and will provide additional details about the pool project (repair vs. replacement) and any agreements to open playgrounds to the community.