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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing