Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/27/2025
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location
Lacy Park
Category(ies)
Lacy Park in San Marino (Photo – CityofSanMarinoCA)
Lacy Park marks its 100th anniversary this year, celebrating a century as San Marino’s most beloved green space.
Enjoy historical exhibits, park tours, nature crafts, and the opportunity to picnic with neighbors under the trees. This event is free and open to the community. The event will kick off with:
- 9:00 am – Welcome and Announcements
- 9:30 am – 9:45 am – History Talk from Robert Petersen
Tours
- 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Historical Society Tours of Thurnher House
- 10:00 am – Pasadena Audubon Society: Guided Bird Walk
- 11:00 am – Urban Forester, Lora Hall: Guided Tree Walk
- 12:00 pm – Pasadena Audubon Society: Guided Bird Walk
Activities
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Mini Train Ride for Families
- 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Craft Activities for Children
- 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Picnic in Area 4
> For questions, call (626) 300-0788 or visit this website.
Once known as Wilson Lake, the area was fed by waters flowing from the foothills along Mill Canyon. These waters once powered the Old Mill and irrigated the surrounding vineyards and citrus orchards before collecting in the lake. The lake was about four acres in extent but by 1924 had been reduced to a “mud hole,” and in certain seasons dried up completely. In 1925 the city purchased the land with the intention of turning it into a municipal park. William Hertrich, a city councilman from 1922 to 1945, was directed to prepare plans and specifications for the park, which he not only designed as a family park, but also as a botanical garden of rare shrubs and trees, many of them donated to the park by the Huntington Estate for which Hertrich served as superintendent. Originally known as San Marino City Park, the space was renamed in the 1940’s to Lacy Park in honor of longtime mayor and council member Richard Lacy and his wife Maud, recognizing their many contributions to the city.
Over the decades, it has become a cherished community gathering space, featuring lush gardens, walking paths, and recreational facilities. As Lacy Park turns 100, it remains a testament to San Marino’s commitment to preserving open spaces and fostering community engagement. The park has hosted countless celebrations, from Fourth of July fireworks to community organizations’ events, making it an integral part of the city’s identity. With its well-maintained rose garden, expansive lawns, and historic trees, the park continues to offer a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors alike. As the city commemorates this milestone, the centennial serves as an opportunity to reflect on the park’s history while looking ahead to its future as a treasured landmark for generations to come.
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