Non-profit Maps ‘Lost Lots’ in LA in Efforts to Build More Pocket Parks

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Could Los Angeles soon be seeing more pocket parks?

According to a news article from The Los Angeles Times, a nonprofit that works to bring more green space to underserved communities, the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust (LANLT), is working to identify lost  lots throughout the city, in efforts to develop more pocket parks for residents.

After discovering that nearly half of the city’s 3.8 million residents did not live within a 10-minute walk to a park, LANLT decided to create a database comprised of lost and abandoned lots like small lots, alleys, and utility corridors throughout the city.

According to the article, in the last two years, the city’s Parks and Parks and recreation department purchased 24 small lots—most of them not larger than 1/2 acre—to build pocket parks. They also expect to rollout 20 more pocket parks throughout South Los Angeles and other underserved areas, according to the Times.

These pocket park initiatives along with other the city’s People St. initiative are examples of improvements to the built environment that can lead to an increase in physical activity among Latinos and residents of underserved communities.

Exactly what is a pocket park?

A pocket park is a small park space (usually 1/4 acre), located in a densely populated area.

Read the full LA times article here.

Read more about pocket parks in this Issue Brief Creating Mini Parks for Increased Physical Activity