The Importance of Pocket Parks

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors just approved the development of a new pocket park in Walnut Park, one of the most park-poor communities in the county.

1 minute read

May 24, 2022, 8:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


Rendering of pocket park with seating and shade

County of Los Angeles / Walnut Park rendering

According to the 2016 Los Angeles Countywide Parks Needs Assessment, Walnut Park is a study area with a very high level of park need. To improve park access and address the needs of community residents, the County of Los Angeles will be developing a new half acre pocket park in the center of Walnut Park. As Steven Sharp reports in this article, the park will have a staff office and public restroom building, playground areas, splash pad, an open lawn area, and additional park amenities. 

In addition, the park will have stormwater capture elements, including a diversion system and infiltration dry wells to divert and capture both urban and stormwater runoff. These elements will reduce bacteria and metal pollutants from entering the Los Angeles River through the capture of stormwater and urban runoff from a 27-acre drainage area.

The new pocket park is one of several projects featured in Advancing Park Equity in Los Angeles County, which discusses how the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is addressing the needs of very high and high park need communities.

Thursday, May 19, 2022 in Urbanize LA

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business