City of Arcadia’s June Newsletter

City of Arcadia’s June Newsletter

This newsletter shares important updates, stories, and events happening right here in our community. Below, you’ll find a table of contents featuring the top stories of the month. If you’re interested, simply click the link to read the full article.

• Goats Join Arcadia’s Fire Prevention Efforts
• Newcastle Park Gets a Butterfly Garden
• Summer Concerts and Movies in the Park
• Downtown Arcadia Patriotic Festival & Drone Show
• Talk Before You Trim
• Community Input Wanted on New Arcadia Transit Service Concepts
• Language Survey Now Open!
• Safety Spotlight: Police Make Arrest in Financial Scam

Goats Join Arcadia’s Fire Prevention Efforts
The Arcadia Fire Department is taking a unique approach to wildfire prevention with help from goats! A $12,000 grant from the California Fire Foundation will fund the use of goats to remove underbrush from the hillsides above Arcadia. This vegetation, including dry grasses and ground cover, can serve as dangerous fuel in wildfire conditions. Goats are a proven and effective tool for fire fuel management. Unlike traditional crews, they can navigate steep, hard-to-reach terrain and clear brush efficiently. The goats will primarily work in areas where the California Conservation Corps previously performed roadside vegetation clearance. This year, efforts will extend further upslope to strengthen the fire buffer protecting nearby neighborhoods.

In other fire prevention news, the City hosted three community meetings to review proposed updates to the state-mandated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map. These changes, which must be adopted by July 2025, will require residents in designated high-risk areas to take steps to harden their homes against wildfire threats. Across the three meetings, over 100 residents attended to learn about defensible space and other home protection measures. The Arcadia City Council will consider adopting the new maps during the June meetings. During this time, residents will also have the opportunity to provide public comment. Learn more and view the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map.

For those looking to take action at home, the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is offering a free landscaping class titled “Firescaping: Reducing the Vulnerability.” Learn how to reduce wildfire risks through drought-tolerant design, proper soil moisture balance, and fire-resistant planting. Advance registration is required at upperdistrict.org/WATER-SMART-WORKSHOPS-2. 

Newcastle Park Gets Butterfly Garden
Progress is underway at Newcastle Park with the planting of a brand-new Butterfly Garden, specially designed to support Monarch butterflies throughout their migration cycle! Featuring milkweed for caterpillars and nectar-rich flowers for adult butterflies, the garden will serve as a vital waystation for these iconic pollinators and many others. Special thanks to the Arcadia Parks Foundation for helping bring this vibrant sanctuary to life. Stay tuned! Newcastle Park is scheduled to open in Fall 2025.

If you’re planning on planting in your own backyard garden this season, local and state agricultural officials are urging caution. Invasive pests, like destructive fruit flies, can harm local agriculture and natural ecosystems. To help prevent their spread, avoid bringing or shipping plants, produce, or other natural materials into Los Angeles County from other states or countries, as they may carry hidden pests. Purchase plants, produce, seeds, or other materials from local, licensed nurseries and retailers. Be sure to inspect your homegrown produce for signs of invasive fruit flies or maggots. If you spot anything suspicious, report it to the CDFA Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. Learn more at CAFruitFly.com.

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Sounds Like Summer! Concerts & Movies in the Park are Back
Get ready for another season of music and movies at Arcadia’s 2025 Summer Concerts and Movies in the Park, happening every Thursday from June 26 to July 31. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to City Hall Lawn at 240 W. Huntington Drive and enjoy live concerts starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by family-friendly movies at dusk. Kids can enjoy the Fun Zone filled with games, crafts, and hands-on activities. Admission is free, and so is the parking, available at City Hall and Santa Anita Park, Gate 5.

• June 26 – Cold Duck (70s/Top 40s) and Dog Man (PG)
• July 3 – Mobility (U.S. Air Force Band, Pop/Rock) and Inside Out 2 (PG)
• July 10 – Stacey Anne & the Master Plan (Country) and Sonic 3 (PG)
• July 17 – So Rad (90s) and Matilda (PG)
• July 24 – Raymond Michael (Elvis Tribute) and Grease (PG)
• July 31 – The Answer (Classic Rock) and Moana 2 (PG)

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City Law Protects Trees
Proper care for your tree is not only essential for its health and longevity but also for saving money in the long run. Investing in regular maintenance, such as professional pruning, monitoring for pests, deep root watering, and maintaining a healthy soil environment, can prevent costly repairs, increase the tree’s lifespan, and enhance property value.

In Arcadia, a Tree Preservation Ordinance was adopted to recognize oaks, sycamores, and other mature trees as significant aesthetic and ecological resources as well as valuable environmental assets. The intent of the tree regulations is to preserve and enhance property values through conserving and protecting trees.

1. To prune or trim a protected tree, you must obtain a written recommendation from a certified arborist.
2. To remove a protected tree, you must obtain a tree removal permit from the City of Arcadia, Planning Division, (626) 574-5423.

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Community Input Wanted on New Arcadia Transit Service Concepts
The Development Services Department is excited to announce the launch of Phase II of the Arcadia Transit Service Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at evaluating and improving the City’s transit options, including both the fixed-route service and the dial-a ride program. Building on insights gathered in Phase I, the newly developed service concepts are ready for public review and input.

In Phase I, community feedback provided valuable perspectives on current transit services, helping the City identify opportunities for improvement. Using that input, several potential service concepts were crafted to better align with the transit needs of Arcadia’s residents, workers, and visitors.

Now, transit riders are invited to review these concepts and share their thoughts and opinions. There are two ways to participate:

1. Attend a Public Meeting on Wednesday, June 4, at the Arcadia Public Library, at 6 p.m.
2. Take a brief online survey, at ArcadiaCA.gov/TransitStudy, by June 6.

Whether you use Arcadia Transit regularly or are simply interested in improving transportation options in the City, your input matters. Need the survey in Chinese or Spanish? Call (626) 574-5435 or email ArcadiaTransit@ArcadiaCA.gov.

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Language Survey Now Open!
Language access in Arcadia is important so information and services remain accessible to everyone. To do that, we need your input. Please take a few minutes to complete Arcadia’s Language Survey. Your responses will help clarify the languages spoken in our community, so we can provide better language support and meet federal requirements under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Esta breve encuesta nos ayuda a comprender las necesidades linguisticas de nuestra comunidad.
参与这项简短的问卷调查有助于我们了解本市社区的语言需求情况。

• Click HERE to take the survey in English.
• Click HERE to take the survey in Chinese.
• Click HERE to take the survey in Spanish.

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Safety Spotlight: Police Make Arrest in Financial Scam
An elderly Arcadia resident recently lost $15,000 after falling victim to a scam. The caller identified himself as a federal agent and claimed her bank account had been hacked. He instructed her to withdraw her money and hand it over so it could be deposited into the U.S. Department of Treasury. After she provided her address, the suspect came to her home and collected the cash. Later, the resident realized something was wrong and went to the Arcadia Police Station to report the incident. While speaking with an officer, she received another call from the same scammer, this time requesting an additional $18,000. Working quickly, detectives arranged for a follow-up meeting. When the suspect, a 19-year-old from Northridge, arrived, he was arrested for fiduciary abuse of an elder.

Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and unfortunately, government-related scams are on the rise. Scammers often impersonate trusted sources, using urgency or fear to get what they want. If someone claims to be from a government agency, including the City of Arcadia, and asks for payment or access to your accounts, be cautious especially if the request feels rushed or suspicious.

To help protect yourself, keep these tips in mind:

• Never give remote access to your device or account.
• Do not download software or send money to anyone claiming to represent the City or any government agency unless you’ve verified their identity.
• When in doubt, contact the government agency directly. Always double-check any communication about payments or account access using official government contact information.
• To view verified accepted payment methods to pay your City of Arcadia bills online, visit www.ArcadiaCA.gov/Payment.