The idea of an organization that could bring the Pasadena community and City leadership together to preserve the Arroyo Seco began in 2016 when a delegation comprised of the Mayor, President of the Rose Bowl Operating Company, City Manager, and General Manager of the Rose Bowl traveled to New York City. The purpose of the trip was to meet with the Central Park Conservancy and learn about its partnership model that enabled the restoration of Central Park.

Upon returning to Pasadena, the City Council approved the formation of the Arroyo Advisory Group, chaired by former Mayor Bill Bogaard and Pasadena resident Doug Kranwinkle, to examine ways to formalize an effort that would focus on restoration of the Arroyo. Through community outreach efforts, the group concluded that there was support for a non-profit organization to supplement City funding as the City’s ability to fund Arroyo restoration was limited.

In 2018 the Advisory Group’s final report was unanimously adopted by the City Council. The report identified trail improvements and funding as opportunities for a new non-profit to work with the City.  An MOU defining the roles of a non-profit and the City was adopted in 2019.

That same year, the One Arroyo Foundation secured its 501c3 designation, assembled a Board of Directors comprised of individuals with diverse expertise and a shared commitment to the future of the Arroyo Seco, and launched a private fund-raising campaign with the support of funding from the One Arroyo Board of Directors.