MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
COMMUNITY CHRONICLES:A RECAP OF EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Summer Concerts in the Park
That’s a wrap on our 2025 Summer Concerts in the Park series! From lively tunes to dancing under the stars, thank you to everyone who came out and made these nights unforgettable. View the photos below to relive the music, fun, and community spirit that filled our summer!
National Night Out & Movie in the Park
Check out these photos from Duarte's 2025 National Night Out! The evening brought our community together with fun activities, delicious food, and opportunities to connect with local law enforcement. The night wrapped up with a movie in the park featuring "Toy Story"!
68th Anniversary City Picnic and Route 66 Parade!
Celebrating the return of the Duarte Route 66 Parade and City Picnic, a vibrant community gathering marking Duarte's 68th Anniversary of incorporation. It was a day full of tradition, fun, and pride as families came together to enjoy the festivities. Here’s to many more years of making memories in Duarte!
The City of Duarte is pleased to announce the official opening of the Duarte Community Garden, a new space dedicated to sustainability, wellness, and community engagement, located at Tzeitel Paras-Caracci Park (2701 Royal Oaks Drive).
The grand opening culminated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 26, where City officials, community members, and partners gathered to celebrate the completion of the project. Approved by the Duarte City Council in February 2025, the garden reflects the City’s ongoing efforts to create accessible, eco-friendly spaces that enhance the quality of life for residents.
“This beautiful Duarte Community Garden will serve far more than a place to grow food,” said Mayor Cesar A. Garcia. “It will be a hub of learning, connection, and wellness, a space where residents can grow healthy, affordable food, attend hands-on gardening workshops, and build community with their neighbors.”
The Duarte Community Garden features:
- 20 individual garden plots
- Two ADA-accessible raised beds
- Shared gardening tools, composting facilities, and drip irrigation systems for sustainable practices
- Native landscaping, decomposed granite walkways, and shaded seating areas
The Duarte Community Garden features 20 individual garden plots, two ADA-accessible raised beds, shared gardening tools, composting facilities, drip irrigation systems for sustainable practices, native landscaping, decomposed granite walkways, and shaded seating areas.
The project is made possible through a partnership with Food Exploration & Discovery (Food ED), a nonprofit organization committed to edible education and ecosystem care. Food ED is overseeing day-to-day operations of the garden and will offer ongoing educational programming, workshops, and support for community members.
The application window for a garden bed is now closed. Interest applications for the upcoming growing season, October 2026 through October 2027, will open online starting June 2026. Residents are encouraged to apply early, as space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents interested in learning more about garden guidelines or participating in future events and programs are encouraged to visit DuarteCommunityGarden.org or contact the Duarte Parks and Recreation Department at (626) 357-7931.
The Duarte Library (1301 Buena Vista Street) has completed a $350,000 renovation project, transforming the space into a brighter, more welcoming hub for the community.
Key upgrades include new flooring throughout the building, fresh interior and exterior paint, and upgraded ceiling lighting designed to improve both visibility and energy efficiency. Modern furniture has been added to create a more comfortable environment for visitors of all ages. Improvements to the HVAC and network infrastructure will also ensure long-term reliability and better service delivery.
Technology upgrades were also a highlight of the project. A new catalog and self-checkout machines were installed to streamline services, allowing visitors to easily search for books and reserve meeting rooms.
A major focus of the renovation was to enhance the library’s layout, creating a more open and accessible atmosphere. The refreshed design not only improves aesthetics but also provides flexibility for a variety of uses, including reading, studying, and community programs.
The library’s reopening was celebrated on August 9, 2025, providing the community with an opportunity to enjoy the refreshed space together. Beyond the celebration, the lasting milestone is the improved library itself, which reflects Duarte’s commitment to providing residents with accessible, high-quality resources. These enhancements ensure the library will continue to serve the community well into the future.
Duarte is charging into the future. This summer, bp pulse unveiled its newest ultrafast EV charging hub right here in our City, marking another step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for residents and travelers alike.
Located at 2107 Huntington Drive, the hub offers more than just convenience. It represents a major investment in Duarte’s role as a forward-looking, eco-conscious community. The new hub is equipped with 24 ultrafast charging bays, each powered by 150kW DC fast chargers, ensuring EV drivers can recharge quickly and get back on the road in minutes. With CCS connectors, ADA-accessible bays, and a comfortable lounge featuring restrooms and vending machines, the site was designed with inclusivity and ease of use in mind.
The charging station and restrooms are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while the lounge’s operating hours are from 8 AM to 10 PM. The station is also surrounded by amenities. Drivers can grab a bite to eat at nearby restaurants, take advantage of a car wash, hit the gym, or stretch their legs while their vehicle powers up.
For the City of Duarte, this project isn’t only about technology. It’s about our people. As more residents make the switch to electric vehicles, the City has been intentional about ensuring that reliable charging is available close to home. It is also conveniently located right off the 605 freeway, making it accessible to the wider region. This station allows Duarte families, commuters, and local businesses to feel confident that EV travel works for their everyday lives.
Since its opening in August 2025, drivers have already begun experiencing the ease and speed of ultrafast charging. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many citing not just the quick charge times, but also the comfort of having a welcoming space while they wait. Whether you’re commuting along Route 66, visiting Duarte’s scenic foothills, or simply running errands around town, the new bp pulse hub ensures your EV is always ready for the journey ahead.
Community Spotlight
Duarte Recognizes Maryvale for its California Nonprofit of the Year Award
At its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Duarte City Council recognized Maryvale for being named the California Nonprofit of the Year in the 48th Assembly District by Assemblymember Blanca E. Rubio.
“Your dedication to providing care, education, and opportunities is truly admirable,” said Mayor Cesar A. Garcia. “On behalf of a grateful community, thank you for your commitment to serving the needs of children and families. The positive impact your contributions have made does not go unnoticed. Congratulations on this momentous achievement.”
Founded nearly 170 years ago, Maryvale is the longest serving children’s charity in Los Angeles County. In 1999, Maryvale took ownership of Land of Aws, a family-run center, with plans to construct additional buildings and create Duarte’s first underground parking lot. After two years of construction, the newly expanded facility opened in 2011 and currently serves 176 children in the community.
This year's Older Americans Month theme, "Flip the Script on Aging," focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging and encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions. Rose embodies this theme by participating in the senior excursions and consistently engaging and connecting with everyone who walks through the door of the Senior Center.
“Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to share Maryvale’s story and raise awareness about the services we provide,” said Maryvale President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Gunther. “Because we offer a wide range of services for children of all ages, we’re uniquely positioned to support families in need. This recognition is a confirmation that our efforts are making an impact, but more importantly, it acknowledges the quality of care we provide. It means a lot to us to have the community recognize and celebrate with us.”
Maryvale’s Duarte Early Education Center (2502 Huntington Drive) provides early education for infants through kindergarten, before and after school programming for children 6-12 years old, wrap-around mental health services with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and their "Connections by Maryvale” program that targets mental health and substance abuse prevention for ages 12-17.
Maryvale was honored on May 21, 2025 at the 10th annual California Nonprofits Day luncheon in Sacramento, where lawmakers and nonprofit leaders from across the state gather to celebrate California’s most impactful nonprofit organizations.
“I joined Maryvale in 2009 and immediately jumped into the responsibility of constructing a building and creating programs, and I truly couldn’t have asked for better supporters and partners than the City of Duarte,” said Gunther. “It means a lot to everyone at Maryvale to be in the community and serve this community, and having this tremendous partnership and support from the City makes a huge difference. We have and will always be grateful for the City of Duarte, City staff, and the Duarte City Council.”
For more information about Maryvale’s Duarte facility and its services, please visit Maryvale’s website.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Halloween Howl
It’s going to be a spooktacular night at Duarte’s annual Halloween Howl on Friday, October 31 from 8 - 5 PM at Royal Oaks Park (2627 Royal Oaks Drive)! Enjoy trick-or-treating, a lively Fun Zone, and a costume contest with categories for pets, kids, families, and groups. Bring your best costumes, furry friends on leashes, and lots of Halloween spirit!
Día de los Muertos
On Saturday, November 1 honor loved ones and celebrate life at Duarte’s Día de los Muertos from 6 - 9 PM at Aloysia Moore Park (1100 Duarte Road). This cultural celebration features a community altar, authentic food, arts, activities, and live performances. A vibrant evening for the whole family.
Holiday Tree Lighting
Join us for a heartwarming evening of holiday cheer at the Holiday Tree Lighting on Tuesday, December 2 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Duarte City Hall Courtyard. Celebrate the season with family, friends, and the Duarte Rotary Club as we sip on delicious hot cocoa, enjoy sweet treats, and listen to festive music. There will be crafts for the kids to enjoy, and the highlight of the evening will be a special visit from Jolly Ol' Santa himself!
The Annual Tree Lighting ceremony will take place at 7:45 PM, bringing a sparkling touch of magic to the evening. Come share in the holiday spirit and make memories with us at the Duarte City Hall Courtyard (1600 Huntington Drive)!
Snow Nite
Get ready for Snow Nite, a winter celebration like no other! Join us on Sunday, December 7 from 5 – 8 PM at Beardslee Park (2000 Buena Vista Street) for an evening full of frosty fun. Whether you're racing down the sled hills, creating something special, or just soaking in the winter vibes, Snow Nite promises something for everyone. Don't miss out on this magical evening and get ready for an unforgettable night of winter fun!