November was an active month for our programs across the San Gabriel Valley. We met people on the trail, at community festivals, in classrooms, and out on the streets as we worked together on projects that support mobility, green space, and public health. 

Green Spaces and Community Planning
Our Water and Schoolyards teams continued work on two significant efforts that will bring more green space to the region. At Peck Road Water Conservation Park, our staff hosted a pop-up for the Rio Hondo Ecosystem Restoration Project. Community members shared their thoughts on a new walking, biking, and equestrian path, native plants, and improved stormwater filtration.

In El Monte, the Living Schoolyards Project advanced through advisory council meetings at Cortada, Gidley, and Shirpser schools. Our team also joined Cortada’s Pozole Night, where families learned about construction progress and looked ahead to the opening of their new green schoolyards in early 2026.

Open Streets, Rides, and Trail Experiences
The month opened with Active Streets: Corazón del Valle on November 2, a day that brought energy and movement to El Monte and South El Monte. Presented by Metro and hosted by the SGVCOG, the event transformed major corridors into safe and welcoming spaces for people to walk, bike, skate, and roll at their own pace. Throughout the day, people from across the SGV and Los Angeles County came together to enjoy streets free of car traffic. Many participants told us how much they appreciate having a space where they can move comfortably with friends and family. Others used the event to try biking for the first time in years, explore local shops and parks, or experience the route from a fresh perspective.

The Easy Access team hosted two events in November. On November 1, riders traveled to La Historia Museum for a ride that blended local history, art making, and reflection at a community altar. On November 9, participants visited our e-bike pop-up at Walnut Creek Park, where families and neighbors tried e-bikes for free and learned how to check them out for longer rides.

On November 8, riders joined Nature For All and ActiveSGV for the Rivers Ride, a multimodal trip from South Pasadena to Los Angeles State Historic Park highlighting the Arroyo Seco and LA River bike paths. Later in the month, on November 22, we partnered again with Nature For All for a 7.5-mile hike on the Gabrielino Trail. The group crossed streams, enjoyed cool weather, and talked about recent efforts to protect the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

E-Mobility Programs
At the OnTheGo Expo on November 13, our GoSGV team met with residents from Altadena and Pasadena to share how the REAP program can support cleaner and more affordable mobility. Many attendees were affected by the recent Eaton Fire and discussed how transportation access shapes their daily routines. Several participants who had not been on a bike in years discovered that the pedal assist made them feel safe and confident again. The event created space for people to ask questions, compare options, and imagine new ways to get around their neighborhoods.

Puente Hills Landfill Park Renaming Outreach

Throughout November, our team attended Harvest Festivals and community events across the Bassett and Avocado Heights areas, gathering input for the naming process of the Puente Hills Landfill Park. Events at Bassett Park, San Angelo Park, Rimgrove Park, Allen J. Park, and La Puente Live Farmers Market brought together seniors, families, and youth. Residents offered thoughtful ideas, asked questions about park features, and took part in activities. Many seniors shared memories of the area and suggested names rooted in community history.
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Rain Garden Volunteer Days

Volunteers made steady progress across a couple of home sites this month. They laid cardboard and mulch to prepare the soil, shaped the garden basins, and removed Bermuda grass by hand. The team also cleared out old irrigation lines and trenched along the hardscape to support a future downspout connection. Each workday brought the projects closer to completion and gave volunteers the chance to learn hands-on techniques for creating water-saving landscapes.

November was full of action. As we enter the last month of the year, be ready to join us for more rides, programs, and community events. Stay connected by signing up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about ways to get involved.