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expireA Pocket Park in Pasadena (CA)

A conceptual rendering for the vacant lot Drawing by Garlen Capita

TPL's Neighborhood Public Places Initiative is implementing our vision for Los Angeles one neighborhood at a time. With only 10 percent of Los Angeles dedicated to open space-compared with 25 percent in New York City-TPL is creating or revitalizing public open spaces in neighborhoods around the region, and addressing the lack of accessible parks for underserved communities. Currently, TPL is targeting a former gas station near the Pasadena/Altadena border to create a neighborhood park. Revitalizing this 17,500-square foot site from a vacant lot to an inviting green space will provide a gathering place for local families and a safe place for children to play.

This racially, ethnically, and economically diverse neighborhood north of popular Old Town Pasadena is an established one, but it lacks easily accessible community open spaces; there are no formal parks within a one-mile radius of the proposed location. The community's demographics confirm the worthiness of a project like this: almost a third of the households within a one-mile radius of the site are families with children, and 38 percent of the area's households earn under $25,000 a year.

Since the site for the park is just south of Pasadena's border and on busy Lake Avenue, preliminary ideas for the park envision it as a gateway to the city, complete with a civic monument. Other conceptual plans include space for a tot lot.

The city of Pasadena, including its elected and appointed leadership, has been working closely with TPL to secure the nearly $750,000 needed to buy the land and develop the park. This year, Banana Republic has contributed $50,000 and MetLife Foundation has awarded $91,000 to TPL towards the park's acquisition and development. To bridge the funding gap, TPL will be working to secure a portion of the recently allocated $15 million for urban parks in the state budget.

For more information on this or other projects in TPL's Neighborhood Public Places Initiative, or to make a donation, contact Anne McEnany at (213) 380-4233.

Posted 9/2001