I might not have known about the abandoned Earthside Nature Center if the Altadena Hiker hadn't posted about it. She might not have known about it if Michael hadn't posted about it over at East of Allen. He's posted about it three times: first here, then here and a third post here.One day, while the Station Fire kept our trails closed in the mountains, Karin (the Hiker) took me on a tour of the nature center. I love hidden spots like this. Nature has overgrown the edges that humans once put there to define it, making it perhaps even more beautiful in disorder. It's over at 3168 E. Del Mar Blvd., behind an abandoned learning center. You can cut through the empty parking lot and take a look for yourself.
Karin, Phoebe the Boxer, Boz the Mixer and I did some snooping. I'll show you what we found over the next couple of days, and I'll do some research. You can also click on Michael's East of Allen posts for more information.
This is the first series I've taken with my new Canon 20D that I feel are good enough to post. I still keep the Olympus SP350 in my purse. It's a good little stealth camera.
26 comments:
Nice pics with the new camera.
Does the city own this now? What are the plans for it?
Great pics with your new camera, Have a sweet day!
I think they could do with a pink tractor...
Mother is quick to reclaim that which is hers....
Ted is right. But you can tell some people put their heart and soul into this little piece of ground. For awhile.
I believe the city owns it, Cafe. That's some of the fact-checking I couldn't do last night. Michael C. probably knows.
Thanks, Torie Jayne, and welcome.
They could, Shell. Say, you might want to check out Torie Jayne's blog. She's thinking of you when she posts. Pink boots to go with the tractor, for example!
That she is, Ted. And as for the heart and soul the Hiker mentions, there are signs of it all over Earthside. It's a slightly mysterious spot. People set up the nature center and there was enthusiasm for a while, but that died quickly when the founders died. I've got a little time today to see what I can find out.
The City of Pasadena owns the parcel. The CalPoly Pomona graduate studio completed a revitalization plan for the parcel last spring. The Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy, through a grant from So Cal Edison, is working with the City to integrate this parcel into an Eaton Canyon Trail Corridor.
The ArroyoLover (Meredith McKenzie)
New camera, eh? That is exciting!
(Boy, that's more than I wanted to know about you, Ted.)
Hey, them 20D pix blowed up real good!
undarlie
I love this and had missed the post on AH. Anyplace with wild grapes hanging in bunches like that is just magical. Y'all are like regular Nancy Drews.
I simply must explore this place!
(Yay for your new camera, too!)
Thanks for all the great info, Meredith. Would you mind sharing your sources, by any chance? I've got my research cut out for me. If not, you've given me some good search strings to start with. And I'm glad to hear this will be integrated into park land.
Thanks, Ben. I've had it for a few weeks. I've posted a couple of shots from it. I've also had some spectacular failures. But I'm learning and it's great.
Hee hee, J+P.
Nancy and I each ate one, Linda. Not that we should have. But good.
Yeah, Laurie, you oughta. You'd like it.
Petrea:
Contact me @ arroyolover@gmail.com directly and I am happy to connect you to the individuals overseeing this project.
ArroyoLover (Meredith McKenzie)
How did you get there? I tried to find it after reading East of Allen but the gate into the old school from Del Mar was padlocked. : (
Well that's interesting, Bellis. It was open when we went there. Did you check Michael's posts at East of Allen? Perhaps there's a note on entry there.
Bellis, we went to the east side of the school, and it's wide open.
She just said she read East of Allen, Petrea. Jeez.
Yeah, jeez.
Ooh, yet another place I need to check out!
Wow. Great photos Petrea. Can't wait for the next installment.
I'm told that the Del Mar gates were recenlty locked. Maybe they're getting ready to start construction to turn the school building into an urgent care center. We may need to find more creative ways to get back to the Earthside site.
As far as the ownership -- the city owns the parcel. It is currently zoned for public service use; not open space. Most recently, the parcel was slated for a fire and police training area. Thus far, there is no official city action preserving the site for open space, park or garden use.
Hi Michael,
I just saw your comment.
I'm just about to sign off for the night but I might have to edit tomorrow's post!
I saw your name in a .pdf (linked to in tomorrow's post) called GREENVISION. I found it on the City's website. It mentions you meeting with the group of grad students from Cal Poly Pomona who wrote the report. They recommend a feasibility study for making Earthside into a park. Are we to understand that this won't happen?
{Say, thanks Petrea, for pointing out Torie Jayne's pretty blog to me ~ you have so many lovely and interesting commenters, I don't get around to as many of them as I'd like to!}
You're welcome, Shell. And I think we all feel the same way.
I got Phoebe's name wrong and now it's right. Karin was too nice not to say so. It wasn't the first time I got it wrong, either.
Hi again,
Finally visited again Friday 2pm by parking on Grayburn Rd (off of Madre)going through "No Tresspassing" Grayburn Rd open wooden gate (latch is on inside of gate always unlocked, so far)at end of cul-de-sac.
This takes you under power line towers through the old X-Mas tree nursery toward the Eaton Wash channel, going westwardly. Earthside is the barbed wired fenced area on right, northerly.
No need to hop over fence as homeless musta made a hole by the "KEEP OUT" sign to enter Eathside in more dignified & less clothing distressed fashion,lol (see my Picasa ENC pics).
Monday - Friday, later realized might be able to just walk in front gates on Del Mar as heard a crew demolishing the olde Girls Club building & already dismantled the playground.
Earthside Days might be more numbered as homeless are slowly dismantling the kiosk hut & contractors will probably be decending on Earthside after razing the Girls Club. Patrea not sure if anyone wants or is rescuing the memorabilia on site? Might be time to look into it. I can lend a hand in helping gathering up the items w/ others if any organized event is transpiring.
Email toroichiban86@yahoo.com if any efforts are requiring rescuing momento's or a bit o' sweat equity is needed. Starting my 12 wild grape cuttings & will see how many will be vigorous to maturity. Still awaiting East of Allen's wild grape wine unveiling/ verdict.
Oh! Linked to my name few more recent pics in my Eathside Picasa album. New ones near end of album. Enjoy this rainy week all my bees are ;).
David, maybe we can do something. Please click on the "email me" link on the left side of my blog and get in touch. Thanks.
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