South Pasadena marked an important milestone in local park development on Wednesday, December 17, with the completion and official ribbon cutting of two new neighborhood pocket parks: Grevelia Pocket Park and Dr. Beatriz Solis Memorial Park at Berkshire.
The two projects were made possible through a combination of grant funding, including $550,000 in Measure A funds from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) and an additional $193,992 from the State of California’s Proposition 68 Parks and Water Bond of 2018.
Los Angeles County and South Pasadena leaders gather at Dr Beatriz Solis Memorial Park Left to right Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger South Pasadena Mayor now City Councilmember Janet Braun and Los Angeles County Chair Hilda Solis
RPOSD, a special district of Los Angeles County, allocates property tax revenue to cities, nonprofits, and public agencies to improve parks, open space, and recreational opportunities. Proposition 68, approved by voters statewide in 2018, provides funding for park development, environmental restoration, water infrastructure, and flood protection projects.
Together, the grants supported the construction of two new pocket parks designed to expand accessible green space within established neighborhoods. City officials emphasized that the investment reflects South Pasadena’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, recreational amenities, and overall quality of life.
Community Services Commissioners join City leaders during the ribbon cutting at Dr Beatriz Solis Memorial Park Left to right Community Services Commissioner Anthony Lai Community Services Commissioner Stephen Plotkin Vice Chair South Pasadena Mayor Pro Tem now Mayor Sheila Rossi Assemblymember Mike Fong South Pasadena Mayor now City Councilmember Janet Braun Community Services Commissioner Lauren Weinberger Community Services Commissioner Bryan Samuels Chair and Community Services Commissioner Leslie Albe Field
The City hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning at Dr. Beatriz Solis Memorial Park, located at 2006 Berkshire Avenue, followed by a photo opportunity at Grevelia Pocket Park at 1107 Grevelia Street. Residents, City representatives, and community members gathered to celebrate the completion of the long-anticipated projects.
Community Services Commissioners and community members gather at Grevelia Pocket Park Left to right Community Services Commissioner Stephen Plotkin Vice Chair Community Services Commissioner Lauren Weinberger Community Services Commissioner Bryan Samuels Chair community member Linda J Krausen Community Services Commissioner Anthony Lai and Community Services Commissioner Leslie Albe Field
City leaders expressed appreciation to both RPOSD and the State of California for their continued support, noting that the new parks will serve residents for generations as welcoming, neighborhood-scale open spaces.
