Parkman Triangle on Time.com

Parkman Triangle, our example of how urban acupuncture can work, received a mention yesterday in the online edition of Time Magazine.  With only four “pocket parks” mentioned, those of us who worked on this park in the Silver Lake section of Los Angeles are happy for the exposure.

Unfortunately the journalists at Time.com did not get the point of our local pocket park.  No one ever  bothered to speak with the crew who spearheaded the work to transform that patch of asphalt.  Here is what the writer had to say:

A smattering of dirt might lead to an encounter with an insect, but Mexican feather grass, succulents and rock don't allow for much reclining (although we appreciate the low-impact on water use).

Unfortunately no one asked why we didn’t have benches, not that our logic was the most politically correct.  This area of south of Sunset Boulevard still has its share of a homelessness problem, and while we are sympathetic to that issue, we want this space for all.  Hence the boulders, which make for a place to hang out briefly but not too long--and then there are the local issues of tagging and vandalism as well.

With city coffers empty, efforts like Parkman Triangle will increase.  Our traditional notion of open space will change.  While we all like picnic tables and lawns, that is not the reality in areas where water is not plentiful--and trees take time to grow.

Nevertheless, publicity is always good, and to our readers, we encourage you to take a second look at those street medians, large corners covered in cement, or empty lots and do something to make your neighborhood even better.

Track the history of Parkman Triangle.