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Mountain View News Saturday, November 22, 2025

$60 MILLION SECURED FOR ALTADENA COMMUNITY CENTER

Supervisor Kathryn Barger poses in front of rendering of the future Charles White Park Community Center and park plan, alongside Paulina Alvarez and Ian White, son of the park's namesake, 
Charles White. (Photo credit: Diandra Jay, LA County) 

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger announced this week that more than 
$60 million has been secured to support the comprehensive restoration and rapid rebuilding of all 
Altadena parks destroyed or damaged in the Eaton Fire. Supervisor Barger delivered the announcement 
alongside Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation Director Norma E. García-
González, community partners, and residents during an event held inside the renovated Loma Alta 
Park gymnasium. Large renderings illustrating the future of Eaton Canyon Natural Area, Farnsworth 
Park, and Charles White Park helped set the stage for the County’s long-term recovery plans.

Supervisor Barger emphasized that while the County has secured a major funding milestone, the $60 
million raised so far represents only about one-third of the over $190 million needed to fully restore 
all impacted park spaces. She called upon philanthropic, nonprofit, and private-sector partners to join 
the effort to complete this ambitious community restoration.

“Altadena’s parks are the heart of this community, so securing strong partnerships is essential for the 
thousands of displaced Eaton Fire survivors eager to reconnect,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. 
“From little league games at Farnsworth Park to cultural festivals at Charles White Park to hiking in 
Eaton Canyon, these parks hold cherished memories. We are committed to bringing them back stronger 
than ever.”

Director García-González echoed that sentiment, noting that Supervisor Barger’s leadership has been 
critical in driving the recovery forward. “We commend the leadership and dedication of Supervisor 
Barger to prioritize rebuilding and restoring these cherished LA County parks for Altadena residents,” 
said García-González. “As we approach Thanksgiving, I am truly moved by the sponsors who make 
this park renewal possible. And to realize our goal of reopening all our Altadena parks, we welcome 
new partnerships.” 

During the event, Supervisor Barger provided a detailed update on Altadena’s unprecedented era of 
park investment. She described the significant progress made across multiple park sites and outlined 
several major restoration efforts already underway.

Altadena Trails recovery work has secured $800,000, with completion anticipated in December 2026. The Landscape Recovery Center at Eaton Canyon Natural Area has received $2.9 million 
in funding. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center project has secured $16.2 million, but additional funds are needed to restore this educational treasure.

Barger also highlighted the upcoming renovation of Charles Farnsworth Park, which will occur in two major phases. Phase one will focus on creating a new Reflection Garden, supported by 
a $5 million investment and projected to begin construction in late spring 2026. Phase two, which involves broader enhancements across the entire park, will begin around the same time and 
is supported by $4.1 million in funding. The Altadena Golf Course is also moving toward recovery, with its first phase of restoration expected to be completed by December 2025.

These efforts follow several completed park projects. Loma Alta Park underwent a $3.4 million renovation earlier this year and reopened in May 2025, while Altadena Triangle Park reopened 
the following month after its own improvements. Earlier this week, The Walt Disney Company contributed an additional $5 million toward renovating Charles White Park, bringing the total 
secured for that site to $10.5 million, with groundbreaking planned for spring 2026.

Altadena residents expressed heartfelt gratitude for the progress made so far. “We truly appreciated how Loma Alta Park has continued to bring our community together since the fires,” 
said Altadena residents Lawrence and Lorena Dean. “We’re looking forward to the return of the golf course and the full restoration of all parks in Altadena, so our neighborhoods can keep 
thriving and gathering in the spaces that mean so much to us."

While major strides have been made, Director García-González noted that the department 
sustained over $250 million in damages from the Eaton Fire, and funding is still 
required to complete remaining fire recovery projects. The Los Angeles County Parks 
Foundation is accepting tax-deductible contributions to support a number of key areas, 
including Altadena Trails, additional restoration efforts within the Eaton Canyon 
Natural Area, the rebuilding of the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, major improvements 
needed for the Davies Building and surrounding facilities at Charles Farnsworth Park, 
and continued recovery of the Altadena Golf Course. 

The following funders and donors are supporting Altadena parks’ recovery: California 
Conservation Corps, California State Parks, Fire Aid, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, 
LA Clippers Foundation, Los Angeles Conservation Corps, Los Angeles Philharmonic, 
Pasadena Rotary Club, State of California, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, The 
Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, Theodore Payne Foundation, The Walt Disney 
Company, and Tree People.

Together with community partners, donors, and local families, Supervisor Barger reaffirmed 
the County’s commitment to restoring every park touched by the Eaton Fire, 
ensuring that Altadena’s beloved outdoor spaces remain safe, vibrant, and resilient for 
generations to come.


Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Norma E. García-González, Director of LA County Department 
of Parks and Recreation, pose alongside Rhoi Carpena with The Walt Disney Company 
and event attendees (Photo credit: Diandra Jay, LA County) 

Altadena Bridge Damaged in Eaton 
Fire Reopens

ALTADENA (CNS) - The Lincoln Avenue Bridge, which has been closed in Altadena since May 
due to concerns about damage originally suffered in the Eaton Fire, has reopened with a temporary 
structure, county Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced Friday.

 Lincoln Avenue between Altadena Drive and Palm Street was closed in May when inspectors 
noted new cracking and other damage on the bridge. The bridge had already been given a 7-ton 
weight restriction after the Eaton Fire in January, but the new damage necessitated the closure so 
repairs can be made.

 According to Barger, a temporary bridge has now been completed, allowing the reopening of 
the roadway. ``I am pleased to see our community's bridge reopened,'' Barger said in a statement. 
``Lincoln Avenue Bridge is a key connector along the Lincoln Avenue corridor. Reopening 
it means Altadena residents will have easier access to Loma Alta Park and nearby neighborhoods. 
It's a big deal.''

 The county Department of Public Works will soon begin working on a permanent bridge replacement. 
According to Barger, the project planning ``will undergo additional community engagement 
and outreach to ensure the new structure meets local needs.''

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com