Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Finding Solace in Gardens After the Flames

Photo courtesy SkughofeyFoundation Instagram page

Community walks offer healing path for fire survivors in the San Gabriel Valley

Every Thursday morning at 10, they gather at garden gates across the San Gabriel Valley — former neighbors whose tree-lined streets in Altadena are now ash, homeowners whose carefully tended backyards exist only in photographs, friends who once chatted over garden fences that no longer stand.

These fire survivors are finding their way back to each other through a series of free community walks called “Walk, Laugh, Eat Repeat,” organized by A Taste of Culture, a local nonprofit dedicated to health and wellness through arts, culture and education. The program, running through August and September 2025, rotates among the region’s most treasured green spaces — from Descanso Gardens to the Huntington, from the Arboretum to local parks.

“These walks revive that sense of community, combining gentle exercise with social connection to help combat some of the isolation and anxiety resulting from the fires,” said Aldonia Bailey, founder of Simply Aldonia TV.

Before the recent fires, Altadena was known for its lush gardens and scenic vistas. Residents spent hours cultivating their backyards, finding both relaxation and joy in the work. Neighbors strolled tree-canopied streets, pausing to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Now, displaced to temporary housing, many have lost access to the personal green spaces they nurtured for years.

The Thursday gatherings begin with light stretching led by Pastor Valentino, a registered nurse at LAC+USC Medical Center, and conclude with complimentary refreshments at local cafés, provided by Beyond ADU. But the structure is deliberately flexible — participants can walk the full route or simply join for lunch and conversation afterward.

“Taking a day for self-care is crucial in the midst of rebuilding after such a disaster,” said Edward Boyd, CEO of Leaders, Educators, Alpha’s of Philander, which is co-presenting the walks in conjunction with A Taste of Culture. “Our walks are more than just an excursion for exercise, it’s a shared moment of community, compassion, and renewed strength. We are committed to helping ease the strain, reduce isolation, and support both the physical and mental well-being of those affected.”

The initiative has drawn support from a coalition of local businesses and organizations, including Becker Law Group, McNicholas & McNicholas, Singleton Schreiber, Skughofey Foundation, Nu Wave Barber Shop, Refugee Christian Center, and Creative Visions — a grassroots response that reflects the region’s determination to support those affected.

For residents living in temporary quarters, the outings provide essential respite. The walks offer a chance to step away from unfamiliar surroundings and wander through some of the area’s most beautiful community gardens, helping participants shift their focus from loss to renewal.

The program’s name — “Walk, Laugh, Eat Repeat” — captures its spirit of resilience through routine, finding joy in simple pleasures even amid profound loss. Organizers say the gatherings have become a vital source of social, physical, and mental support, rebuilding bonds and forging new friendships during an extraordinarily stressful time.

Community Walk Schedule

All walks begin at 10 a.m. at the front gate of each location. Free refreshments follow. RSVP required.

August

• Aug. 7: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada
• Aug. 14: Rose Bowl/Brookside Café, 1133 Rosemont Ave., Pasadena
• Aug. 21: The Arboretum/Peacock Café, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
• Aug. 28: Lacy Park, 1485 Virginia Rd., San Marino

September

• Sept. 4: The Huntington Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino
• Sept. 14: Rose Bowl/Brookside Café, 1133 Rosemont Ave., Pasadena
• Sept. 18: The Arboretum/Peacock Café, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
• Sept. 25: Switzer Falls, Switzer Truck Trail, Altadena

As participants gather each Thursday, they’re doing more than exercising — they’re rebuilding their community one step at a time, finding moments of beauty and connection as they navigate the long path toward recovery. In gardens across the valley, among the roses and beneath the trees, they’re discovering that while homes can be rebuilt, the bonds between neighbors — tested by tragedy — have never been stronger.

To RSVP: Call or text (626) 399-2580