Developing Pocket Green Parks: 3 Initial Steps to Start in Your Barangay

How can barangays start pocket green parks?

These 3 initial steps can help.

What are Pocket Green Parks?

Borrowing Allison Blake’s definition of pocket parks, I describe pocket green parks as

Pocket green parks are small scale urban open and green spaces in our neighborhoods. usually only a few house lots in size or smaller.

Barangays can start developing pocket green parks by following these 3 initial steps.

Start with existing government structures and public schools.
One challenge of pocket park development cited by the Pocket Park Toolkit of The Trust for Public Land is community distrust: communities not being all in on pocket park development.
Setting examples in government structures can incentivize community involvement as well.
Also, places of worship can be enjoined to respect street easements to enable accessible green spaces on the sidewalk.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed how people love greenery in their homes.
The barangay government can persuade owners of idle lots to make these public green spaces by offering rental and concession fees.
Put green thumbs, Plantitos and Plantitas to force!

Shifting from basketball courts to urban gardens can be a start.
For barangays in heavily-densed cities like Manila, shared green parks among barangays can be implemented.
Opportunities for outdoor businesses in pocket green parks can be a funding strategy.

What do you think of the pocket green park strategy?

Developing Pocket Green Parks in the Philippines