Rose Bowl Loop Reopens Cautiously with Strict Limits in Place

Walkers, joggers, and cyclist share the Rose Bowl loop to exercise after the Pasadena City Council moved earlier this week to allow access to the popular 3 -mile trail encircling the Rose Bowl after being closed for a month due to the Covid-19 pandemic on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

A security guard stationed just east of the Rose Bowl guides a cyclist to the right direction due to road closers around the Rose Bowl during the reopening of the Rose Bowl loop after being closed for a month due to the Covid-19 pandemic at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

A jogger wearing a mask runs around the Rose Bowl loop on the first day of the reopening after being closed for a month due to the Covid-19 pandemic at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

The Arroyo Terrace road just east of the Rose Bowl is blocked off to traffic for safety of pedestrians during the reopening of the Rose Bowl loop after being closed for a month due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Pasadena, on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

People practice social distancing when using the Rose Bowl loop during the reopening of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

The Covid-19 testing site is taking place just east of the Rose Bowl loop at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

A pedestrian walks past the Rose Bowl in the early morning after the Pasadena City Council moved earlier this week to allow access to the popular 3 -mile trail encircling the Rose Bowl after being closed on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

A jogger runs on the Arroyo Seco trail in the early morning after the Pasadena City Council moved earlier this week to allow access the Arroyo Seco trails and the 3 -mile trail encircling the Rose Bowl after being closed for a month due to the Covid-19 pandemic on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

90 minute parking signs are posted in parking lot I located just north of the Rose Bowl, parking will be enforced according to the Pasadena Public Information Officer, on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Crossing guards help pedestrians cross Seco Street north of the Rose Bowl during the reopening of the Rose Bowl after being closed for a month on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Editor’s note: This story has been updated. It originally reported that a city official said users of the Rose Bowl loop must wear face masks and gloves, but the wearing of gloves is not required.

[Revised] Dozens of walkers, joggers, cyclists and moms pushing strollers, emerged to circle the Rose Bowl stadium Wednesday, as the city officially reopened the 3.5 mile loop around the historic stadium and the adjacent Brookside golf course.

Nearby hiking trails around the venue are now also open, including those in the Lower Arroyo. Meanwhile, Covid-19 testing is also being conducted at the Rose Bowl’s east gate, and the Brookside Golf Course is open as well.

According to Pasadena Public information Officer Lisa Derderian, the loop will now only be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Parking is limited to Parking Lot I, just south of the stadium, with a “strictly enforced” 90 minute limit.

To allow more space for loop visitors, the entire Rose Bowl area remains closed to vehicular traffic. Barriers direct all vehicles to either either enter the one open parking lot, which has a capacity of 1400 vehicles, or exit the area altogether. Derderian noted that the City wants to discourage any parking in local neighborhoods.

While the number people taking advantage of the loop reopening was relatively small on the first day, Derderian said she anticipates much larger crowds on the weekends.

Derderian emphasized that all visitors to the Rose Bowl must wear face coverings, and maintain proper social distancing. Visitors should also be careful about disposing of gloves, masks and water bottles in the Rose Bowl area.

“That was one of the reasons we closed it,” said Derderian. “People were just tossing their gloves and masks on the ground, along with their water bottles. When you do that, that just creates a new health hazard.”

Should the disposal problem arise again, she said, the City would once again close off the loop.