626 Golden Streets (File Photo -activeSGV)
Celebrate Earth Month on Sunday, April 23, 2023 when 626 Golden Streets | Heart-of-the-Foothills presented by Metro Los Angeles creates 6.5 miles of car-free streets for the public to walk, bike, run, skate, scoot, dance, explore, and play.
By Wesley Reutimann
The free, family-friendly event will connect historic downtown districts in the Cities of San Dimas, La Verne, and Claremont with Palomares Park in Pomona.
“ActiveSGV is excited to partner with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and the cities of San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, and Claremont to celebrate Earth Month with over 6 miles of open streets,” said ActiveSGV Programs Director Danielle Zamora. “ActiveSGV is looking forward to bringing people together to explore and enjoy four unique Foothill communities.”
The first Heart-of-the-Foothills ciclovia was hosted by LA-based event organizer cicLAvia on Sunday, April 22, 2018.
Along the route attendees will be able to enjoy live music and performances, check out “zero emission zones” showcasing the latest in all-electric mobility, play zones for kids of all ages, and learn from a wide array of green vendors. Other activities will include a mobile cumbia band, inflatable obstacle courses, and a rock climbing wall (Pomona hub), professional chalk artists, an Arbor Day celebration (San Dimas), and eco-fair (Claremont), two farmer’s markets (Claremont and San Dimas), and e-bike test ride zones (San Dimas, Claremont). In the spirit of “Every day is Earth Day,” attendees are encouraged to travel to/from the event via active or public transit. A full list of event activities can be found found here.
Arcadia 626 Golden Streets (File Photo – activeSGV)
The day will kick off with a special Opening Ceremony at 8:30 am at Palomares Park in Pomona with local dignitaries, including Congress Member Judy Chu, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, State Assembly Member Chris Holden, and the Mayors of Pomona, Claremont, and La Verne. An early bird can earn a free, limited-edition, event T-shirt at the kickoff, with 50 to be handed out at the ActiveSGV Information Booth in Palomares Park, starting at 8:15 am.
Participants can reach the event via Metro and Foothill Transit buses or Metrolink’s San Bernardino Line, exiting at the Pomona or and Claremont stations. Children 4 or under ride free on Metro, Metrolink and Foothill Transit, and bikes and scooters may be brought onboard at no extra cost.
While the Metro L Line Extension to Pomona is still under construction, more experienced riders can take Metro rail to APU/Citrus and then bicycle 7 miles to the westernmost segment of the route in San Dimas. You can join a “feeder ride” along this route, organized by the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition and South Pasadena Active Streets. They will meet at the APU station at 9am and depart at 9:30am. More event info can be found at 626goldenstreets.com.
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