Park foundation presenter outlines Brookside stormwater project in Pasadena

A presenter who identified themselves as a representative of a park foundation partnering with the City of Pasadena Public Works and PWP said the Brookside Stormwater Project will capture and treat urban runoff to boost local groundwater supplies and improve downstream water quality.

The presenter said the project is designed to divert roughly a two-year storm—about one inch of rain over 24 hours—away from an existing storm drain in the Brookside parking lots into an infiltration gallery for treatment and recharge. "This project is really important because it does help to increase water reliability," the presenter said. "We're capturing water that would be diverted to the LA River ... instead this would be captured here in Pasadena, stay local, infiltrate back into our groundwater and again helping increase that groundwater supply."

Officials described two primary goals for the work: recharging the Raymond groundwater basin and filtering a portion of stormwater before it reaches the Arroyo Seco. According to the presenter, treated overflow would be released to the Arroyo Seco after filtration. The presenter said the project focuses on frequent storms to capture the runoff that commonly flows into the regional system.

Beyond the underground infrastructure, the project includes above-ground improvements meant to both treat water and improve the Brookside parking lot's appearance. The presenter listed a bioswale, permeable concrete pavers, structural soil and the replacement and addition of trees as planned elements. Planting choices are being guided toward native community types, including oak woodland, foothill woodland and riparian woodland species, the presenter said.

The foundation representative said the Arroyo park foundation was created to supplement city programs in the Arroyo by leveraging private philanthropy, public grants and family foundation funds to support projects the city may not be able to fully fund. The presenter noted the stormwater construction could create opportunities for related Arroyo improvements such as better trail connectivity along the north–south path that passes through the project area.

Outreach and education are part of the plan. The presenter said the foundation will provide information on customer programs, rebates and incentives, and will host workshops and tours tied to Water Awareness Month. "We've also got some great giveaways, poppy seeds," the presenter said, noting distribution at outreach events and opportunities for residents to provide feedback on design and implementation.

No formal motions or votes were recorded during the presentation. The presentation focused on project goals, design features and community outreach; next steps described by the presenter included continuing design work and public engagement to solicit input before implementation.