Jefferson Park, located in the city of Pasadena, is a neighborhood park located at 1500 E. Villa Street in Pasadena, offering recreational amenities such as open green space, play areas, and community gathering areas that serve nearby residents. In 2022, the City of Pasadena identified Jefferson Park as a high priority opportunity for capturing, treatment and storage of stormwater to address critical compliance requirements and attain improvements in water quality of the Rio Hondo and Los Angeles River. Specifically, the Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project is required to address the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit requirements to improve water quality and restore beneficial uses to local waterways and downstream receiving waters. Additionally, located downstream areas affected by the Eaton Fire, the project represents an important opportunity to improve long-term watershed health and protect downstream water quality citywide.
The City has completed the Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project Feasibility Study, which evaluated the engineering feasibility of implementing a stormwater capture and infiltration project while incorporating community input gathered through a robust Community Outreach & Engagement process. The final Feasibility Study documents are available below under the Final Feasibility Documents section.
Project Map
Community Outreach
The survey is closed. Continued feedback can be submitted below in the Comments section
Thank you for your continued interest and participation in the Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project. The City appreciates the time, input, and feedback provided by community members throughout the Feasibility Study and Community Outreach & Engagement process.
This project website will remain active as the City continues to advance the project, including identifying funding opportunities to support the next phases of the project.
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Drainage Area
Final Concept Design
The Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project will integrate below-ground stormwater infrastructure with above-ground park improvements to enhance water quality, support stormwater management, and provide improvements to the neighborhood park. The final concept design reflects the engineering analysis and community input gathered throughout the Feasibility Study and Community Outreach & Engagement process.
Below-Ground Stormwater and Water Quality Elements: The project will divert storm and urban flows conveyed by the Sierra Bonita Avenue Rubio Wash Drain for pretreatment, subsurface storage and infiltration, with additional treatment by filtration as proposed. These improvements are designed to remove trash, sediment, and priority pollutants from conveyed flows, improving water quality within the Rubio Wash, which flows downstream to the Rio Hondo and Los Angeles River and, ultimately, the Pacific Ocean.
Above-Ground Park Improvements: The final concept design incorporates a range of improvements to enhance the existing neighborhood park while maintaining and improving active and passive recreational opportunities. Proposed improvements include an enhanced picnic area, splash pad, nature play area, improved play areas for ages 2–5 and 5–12, basketball court improvements, a multi-use field with relocated sports lighting, a new softball field and infield, fitness zone, native planting walking loop, accessible pathways, shade structure over bleachers, additional picnic tables, an outdoor classroom, and other accessibility and park-support improvements. These improvements reflect input received from community members, key interested parties, park users, and the City throughout the collaborative visioning process.
Refined Design Concept
Refined Project Overview
The Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project will integrate underground stormwater infrastructure with above-ground park improvements to capture, treat, and infiltrate stormwater while supporting groundwater recharge and improving downstream water quality. The final feasibility concept includes a storm drain diversion, pretreatment system, flow meter, actuated valve, and a 7.7-acre-foot subsurface infiltration gallery beneath Jefferson Park. The project also includes improvements along N. Sierra Bonita Avenue and opportunities for above-ground park enhancements informed by community input, creating a more functional, accessible, and vibrant space for residents.
Project Learning Hub
Project Fact Sheet
Jefferson Park Fact Sheet - English
Jefferson Park Fact Sheet - Spanish
Jefferson Park Project Guide
Jefferson Park Educational Booklet English
Jefferson Park Educational Booklet Spanish
Community Resilience Fact Sheet
Community Resilience Fact Sheet English
Community Resilience Fact Sheet Spanish
Next Steps
The Feasibility Study demonstrated that the project is technically feasible and did not identify any constraints that would prevent implementation. While final design, environmental review, permitting, and funding acquisition are still required, the City is continuing to explore competitive funding opportunities to advance the project into design, including Safe, Clean Water Program, Proposition 4 Climate Bond, Measure A, and Rivers and Mountains Conservancy grant opportunities.
Department Lead and Funding
The City of Pasadena’s Department of Public Works is the department leading on this project. The Feasibility Study is funded through the Safe, Clean Water Program (SCWP) (Measure W) administered by the Los Angeles County Public Works. The SCWP funds stormwater initiatives that improve water quality, increase local water supply, and provide community benefits, like green spaces and parks.
In 2025, the City received grant funding through the SCWP Community Education Grant to facilitate Community Outreach & Engagement alongside the Feasibility Study. While the funding for the outreach efforts is through the SCWP, the grant is administered through the Water Foundation, an organization that also makes it a mission of prioritizing clean water through effective implementation strategies, advancing protective and innovative policies, storytelling to educate on encourage support from decision-makers, and developing educational resources.
The project overall will provide multiple long-term co-benefits for the environment and the community by providing cleaner water; reduced flood risk and increased climate resilience; enhanced park features; and stronger community connections through inclusive planning and outreach. Both the Feasibility Study and the Community Outreach & Engagement for the visioning process will result in the creation of a community-supported concept that the City will use to apply for Design funding on July 31, 2026.
More information regarding the Safe, Clean Water Program and the Water Foundation.
Community Outreach Activities and Meetings
The City of Pasadena is committed to community collaboration and will provide multiple opportunities for engagement throughout this phase of the Project. Opportunities will be posted here on how to participate in the Jefferson Park Regional Stormwater Capture Project. Stay updated by subscribing to Project updates and checking the Project website regularly.
The City of Pasadena hosted the first community engagement activity on March 12 and facilitated a guided community walking tour at the park. A summary of all feedback received during the event and via the online survey, see link above, will be provided in the coming weeks. See boards that were displayed during the event below.
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The City of Pasadena hosted a Pop-Up Event on July 15, 2026 at Jefferson Branch Children’s Library and Teen Services as the fourth and final event for the feasibility study project. A summary of all feedback received during the event and through an online survey will be provided in the coming weeks. See boards that were displayed during the event below.
Project Overview
Feasibility Overview
What We Heard
Site and Historic Context
Stormwater Components
Guiding Principles
Refined Concept Board
The City of Pasadena hosted the third community engagement event as an Open House on June 9, 2026. A summary of all feedback received during the event and through an online survey is provided below. See boards that were displayed during the event below.
Project Overview
Feasibility Overview
What We Heard
Site and Historic Context
Stormwater Components
Guiding Principles
Learning Hub
The City of Pasadena hosted the second community engagement visioning activity on April 25, 2026. A summary of all feedback received during the event and through an online survey will be provided in the coming weeks. See boards below that were displayed during the event.
Project Overview
Feasibility Overview
What We Heard
Site and Historic Context
Stormwater Components
The City of Pasadena hosted the first community engagement activity on March 12 and facilitated a guided community walking tour at the park. A summary of all feedback received during the event and via the online survey, see link above, will be provided in the coming weeks. See boards that were displayed during the event below.
Existing Spaces and Amenities
Project Overview
Site and Historic Context
Stormwater Components
Final Feasibility Documents
Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project - Geotech Report
Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project - 10% Cost Estimate
Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project - Final Fact Sheet
Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project - Feasibility Study Report
Jefferson Park Stormwater Capture Project - Treatment Alternatives Report