News of the Arroyo
Title: | Lower Arroyo Seco bird sanctuary up for renovation |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2009-01-17 |
Summary: | January 17, 2009 - A meditation circle seen Thursday, January 15, 2009 built in 1935 in honor of Emma Dickinson, who left a portion of her estate to Pasadena, needs renovation in the Lower Arroyo Seco Natural Park in Pasadena. |
Author: | Janette Williams, Staff Writer |
Publication: | Pasadena Star-News |
Content: | ![](\"https://www.arroyoseco.org/images/bsanctuary.jpg\") (Sarah Reingewirtz SGVN/Staff) PASADENA - In 1935, a $45,000 bequest to the city from bird-lover Emma Dickinson established the Lower Arroyo Seco\'s only bird sanctuary. Set on a terraced promontory at the eastern edge of the arroyo, the dilapidated area is so secluded that few people even know it\'s there. But that may be about to change as the city embarks on a $225,000 county funded renovation scheduled to commence in this spring. The project\'s 16 elements include restoration of the central Batchelder-tiled fountain - solar controlled to turn off at night - repairing the central seating area and adding a semi-circular wooden trellis; planting the lower terrace with native plants to deter vandalism while keeping the walls and stairs in a \"ruin-like\" condition; marking pathways deeper into the site; and repairing a broken storm drain that\'s caused some erosion. The sanctuary and \"resting place\" were included in the nomination for the Arroyo Seco\'s recent listing on the National Register of Historic Places. \"That is the issue,\" said Peggy Stewart, former president of the Arroyo Seco Foundation. \"I think the arbor sounds like a nice idea, I think it\'s very pretty. But I\'m not sure it\'s in keeping with the period of the bird sanctuary, or if it\'s appropriate to add structures. It\'s something that needs to be talked about.\" Everyone will get the chance to take a closer look at and comment on the plans at 10 a.m. today, when the Pasadena Public Works Department holds a community meeting at the sanctuary site. Pasadena Heritage Executive Director Sue Mossman said Teresa Grimes, the group\'s consultant on the National Register application, will attend to check on the plans. The preservation group\'s view on some of the restoration and new elements proposed is \"not negative,\" Mossman said. \"It sounds a lovely idea, but one that should be discussed and perfected.\" Rosa Laveaga, who is supervising the project for the city, said the idea is to enhance the area and to reduce levels of \"undesirable activities\" in the lower terrace area, largely shielded from view. \"It tends to be a hang-out for drinkers, and there have been remnants of evidence of drug use,\" Laveaga said. \"We want to leave all the wonderful historic features of the site in place but make it difficult to get down to the lower level ... and discourage use of the lower terrace.\" The upper terrace, with its seating area and planned new trellis, will provide a \"quiet spot .. and a fantastic place to overlook the arroyo,\" Leveaga said. Maintenance would be handled by city park crews, she said, and more native vegetation will be added to what\'s already there. For more information, call (626) 744-3883. janette.williams@sgvn.com (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4482 |
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