With Grand Opening Called Off for Saturday, Pasadenans Anxious to Enjoy New Playhouse Village Park 

The City announced that the grand opening of Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena has been postponed from Saturday, Sept. 10 to Sept. 17 due to the inclement weather this weekend. 

Pasadenans will have to wait a week to enjoy a much-anticipated park, over a decade in the making.

The new park grounds reflect “its setting in a dense urban neighborhood” by combining “passive and active activities in close proximity,” said Lisa Derderian, the City’s Public Information Officer.

An entry fountain welcomes visitors to the new park, and walkways and the lawn provide passive areas with shade and extensive landscaping. Separate dog run/play areas for large and small dogs are provided, and playground and shaded seating, plus the stage area, create opportunities for activity.

The stage area has been named the Van Halen Stage, honoring the Pasadena-bred rock band brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen formed in 1972. The group went on to become one of the most successful bands in music history. Eddie Van Halen died in October 2020 after a battle with cancer.

Vines have been planted to grow and cover the steel canopy over the Van Halen Stage to provide shade. The stage is designed to be used as a seating area during the day, with portable tables and chairs. It can accommodate small musical, spoken word, film and other performances that visitors can view from the lawn area.

Throughout the park,  47 new mature trees have been planted to provide shade in the lawn space. The playground also has several shade structures.

“A key feature is a large Deodar Cedar tree which will play a prominent role as the neighborhood’s gathering place during the December holidays, with decorations, a tree lighting and associated musical performances,” Derderian said.

The new 1.04-acre park at 701 E. Union St., between El Molino Avenue and Oak Knoll Avenue, includes a restroom and storage building, and a 48-space parking lot. Derderian said some space in the restroom-and-storage building could be used to accommodate a concession vendor – coffee, ice cream or light meals.

“Although not currently fitted out to serve formally, events that occur in the park will provide opportunity to utilize the concession space while work is done to determine the timeframe for a permanent use or approach,” she added.

An on-site public parking lot has replaced the former municipal parking lot and will provide 48 paid parking spaces for patrons of nearby businesses or other destinations. The parking lot will have several EV (electric vehicle) chargers and ample space for disabled parking.

“In addition, the parking lot has been designed with decorative paving stones, stormwater capture swales, and numerous shade trees and can accommodate events – as will be demonstrated at the grand opening,” Derderian said.

No dedicated park visitor parking is provided, since most park visitors are anticipated to arrive on foot. They’d need to pay to use the parking lot if they’re driving.

The Playhouse Village Association plans to hold numerous activities and events throughout the park, Derderian said.

After the grand opening on Sept. 17, the group, in partnership with the Playhouse Village Foundation and The Ice House as sponsor, will begin a series of Sunday evening concerts, which will continue into early October.

For more updates about the Grand Opening, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/event/playhouse-village-park-grand-opening.