Arroyo Property of the Week - San Rafael Hills

Here's a peek at a smashing Spanish Mission-Revival in the San Rafael Hills above the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena that will debut on the market for sale next week.

This 2 bedroom retreat boasts original charm with hardwood flooring throughout, coved ceilings, built-ins, and a wood-burning fireplace. The authentic tile detailing throughout the home is colorful and unique.

An updated kitchen features a cozy breakfast nook and there is a formal dining room as well to welcome guests for intimate dinner parties.

The den, which could be easily be used as a third bedroom, opens with French Doors to the private garden-like backyard with drought-tolerant native plants, a soothing saltwater pool and relaxing spa. The yard, with its picnic table alcove, offers both serene relaxation and a great outdoor party atmosphere.

The converted 2-car garage offers a finished bonus space perfect for use as an office or studio.

Offered at $849,000, this totally updated and upgraded treasure is minutes to Old Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Downtown Los Angeles, and the Lower Arroyo Seco Nature Park, home to the Roving Archers Archery Club, the Pasadena Casting Club, and walkable trails in nature along the Arroyo Seco stream.

Interested in seeing this beauty? Give me a call at 323-230-9749.

Trouble at the Lower Arroyo Seco Corral

The 'new business' item on the January 4, 2011, agenda of the Pasadena Recreation and Parks Commission looks simple enough: 'Reconfiguration of Trails and Introduction of Fencing in the Southern Archery Range Area of the Lower Arroyo Seco.'

Beneath the surface, though, conflict has been brewing between two groups - recreational hikers/runners/dog walkers and the Pasadena Roving Archers Club - who essentially want the same thing: better safety conditions that will stop hikers/runners/dog walkers from wandering into the active use archery range where bow and arrow aficionados have been taking target practice and hosting competitions since 1935.

The cause of this dispute? A recommendation by Pasadena City staff to erect split natural rail fencing on a temporary basis to establish two separate areas within the archery area of the always popular Lower Arroyo Seco Nature Park.

To understand the current seemingly hikers/runners/dog walkers vs archers situation, it's necessary to start with the Lower Arroyo Seco Master Plan, which was adopted in 2003 by the Pasadena City Council. That plan includes provisions to address potential conflicts between archery and other uses by calling for improvements to signage, trails, shooting lanes and habitat restoration.

In 2005, a new hiking trail was established between the archery range and the multi-use trail immediately adjacent to the channelized Arroyo Seco stream. Per the City's staff report, boulders, native plantings, and natural wooden posts were used to delineate the new trail and discourage trail users from leaving the new path.

But here's the rub: many hikers/runners/dog walkers still continue to use the OLD 'abandoned' trail segments, which traverses the archery shooting line. Obviously, everyone is concerned about human (and hopefully dog) safety with pedestrians in that area during archery events.

To provide a temporary solution because it does not currently have the funding necessary to complete its original trail plan, the City is proposing the construction of fencing that will divide the archery area into two sections: Targets 1 through 14, which will be dedicated solely to archery on a full-time basis, and Targets 15-28 which will be used for archery only on designated days and by special permit. The City will also construct temporary signage.

It appears that the archers are not too happy with the City's plan, judging by their website and Facebook postings.  They are concerned that a new requirement to obtain permits for archery events, coupled with reduce usage on Targets 15-28 will negatively impact their long-standing archery program (see my blog of December 27th on the popularity of Lower Arroyo Seco Nature Park).

Some hikers/runners/dog walkers, on the other hand, either mistakenly take the old trail or do so intentionally because they 'like this hike better' than the new trail segment. My personal observation is that there is not nearly enough signage to alert hikers/runners/dog walkers of the archery range's location and possible imminent danger.  Since so many hikers/runners/dog walkers traverse the Lower Arroyo Seco from connecting trails, it is possible that they are not aware of archery activity without such signage. (Thankfully, no hikers or dogs have been injured by arrows yet but that risk is always apparent.)

Can hikers/runners/dog walkers and archers get along in an area where the classic film, The Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn was filmed? Will temporary fencing really solve this safety issue? And what about the dogs that run around off-leash in that area, even though their owners should know better? Will the dogs understand to stop at the fencing? If you use the Lower Arroyo Seco Nature Park as part of your outdoor recreation/nature activities, you might want to voice your opinion at the January 4th R&P meeting, starting at 6:00pm at the Pasadena Senior Center.

Archers & Casters & Horses....Oh My!

It was the day after Christmas and I was expecting a crowd and parking challenges...but not at the Lower Arroyo Seco Nature Park in Pasadena!

Maybe it was the week of rain; maybe it was the desire to walk off Christmas dinner; maybe it was the Rose Bowl/Parade visitors; regardless, the Lower Arroyo was so busy with walkers, dogs, fly fishermen and equestrians that it was almost impossible to find parking in the park's lot!

Though this bucolic spot is a favorite with joggers and dog walkers, the Lower Arroyo, as we fondly call it, is also the home to some of Pasadena's oldest outdoor recreation groups.

First, there are the Pasadena Roving Archers (PRA), "dedicated to the art of the bow and arrow in the Lower Arroyo Seco since 1935." Men, women, young adults and children are all members of this long-standing non-profit group. All are bound together by the sport of archery, or the bow and arrow, my dad would call it. PRA is home to beginners, weekend enthusiasts, regional, state and international archers.

Did you know archery in the Arroyo Seco has a long history with organized competition starting in the early nineteen thirties? The Pasadena Roving Archers has been a part of that history and is charged with operating and maintaining the Lower Arroyo's archery range.

PRA members provide hundreds of hours of volunteer service to maintain these facilities and provide archery instruction to archers from 8 to 80. All of the PRA archery instructors have been certified by the National Archery Association. Archery classes with the PRA are a good way to learn the sport and this club is always looking for new enthusiastic members. Check them out at http://www.rovingarchers.com/.

Another terrific group that has been calling the Lower Arroyo home since 1947 is the Pasadena Casting Club, where current and future fly fishermen can practice the scientific art of angling and casting. This Club, a charter member of the Federation of Fly Fishers, also supports fish, habitat and natural resource conservation. The park's large casting pond is the ideal spot for fishermen young and old to take casting lessons or just hang around and tell fish tales at the PCC Clubhouse. You can find out how to join this club at  www.pasadenacastingclub.org.

Curious how the Arroyo Seco would look and act if it was not covered in concrete? Look no further than the Lower Arroyo because, thanks to the City of Pasadena and BFI, a naturalized diversion of the stream wends its way through the area, reminding visitors of both the river's past and its hopeful future to once again flow free.

It appears that the Lower Arroyo is no longer a Pasadena Best-Kept Secret but that shouldn't stop you and your family from coming down for a little river fun in the city.