What is a Pocket Park?

The term “Pocket Park” may sound humble, but these small green spaces pack a powerful punch. In an urban environment like London, where space is limited, pocket parks are a strategic response to the city’s need for more greenery. The Islington Council, working with WSP, saw an opportunity to turn underused, often neglected spots into community green spaces.

These parks offer a multitude of benefits. They cool down the surrounding areas, provide much-needed habitat for urban wildlife, and, perhaps most importantly, offer a breath of fresh air to Londoners who may not have access to larger parks. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about building resilient, green infrastructure in areas where every square meter matters.

From concept to reality

The idea of pocket parks sounds simple: take an empty plot of land and transform it into a green space. But as Andrew and Ludo explained, the process is far more involved.

“We’re not just creating parks, we’re creating spaces that people want to interact with.”  – Ludo

From the initial planning stages to the final planting of greenery, Pocket Parks are designed to meet the needs of the local community. This means consulting with residents, working with architects, and incorporating sustainable features like rainwater harvesting systems or pollinator-friendly plants.

The first challenge was identifying potential sites. Many of these were in high-traffic areas or spaces where people typically don’t linger—places no one would traditionally think of as “green.” 

“The team had to get creative. We did have the chance to make something meaningful.” –  Andrew 

The environmental impact of Pocket Parks

On the surface, pocket parks may seem small, but their ecological benefits are vast. They help improve air quality, cool down neighborhoods, and create a haven for urban wildlife, like birds and pollinators. The biodiversity that these tiny spaces support is astounding.

Pocket parks are also a key weapon in the fight against urban heat islands—areas in cities that are significantly warmer than their rural counterparts due to human activities and dense infrastructure. By introducing greenery, these parks help cool down their surroundings, making them more livable for residents.

A space for everyone

One of the core goals of the Pocket Parks project is to create spaces that are not just environmentally beneficial but also socially inclusive. In a city as diverse as London, these parks offer a shared place for people to relax, exercise, and even garden.

In one pocket park in the heart of Islington, Andrew described how the space had transformed into a vibrant social hub. “We’ve seen people from all walks of life come together here.”

Pocket parks give people a chance to connect not just with nature but also with each other. These spaces encourage community engagement, often bringing together neighbors who might never have spoken before.

Each pocket park is unique, designed to reflect the needs of the local community. Some are geared towards play and recreation, with features like swings and benches, while others focus on creating quiet, peaceful environments for relaxation. One of the most exciting aspects of these parks is how they are co-designed with local communities, ensuring that the spaces reflect the people who use them. 

A model for the urban future?

As we move forward, I believe projects like Pocket Parks are essential to the future of urban planning. They demonstrate that making our cities more sustainable doesn’t always require massive projects. Sometimes, the most impactful changes come from small, thoughtful interventions. Pocket Parks are scalable, adaptable, and, most importantly, they work. The project in Islington is inspiring cities across the UK—and beyond—to think differently about how we can bring nature back into our urban environments.

At the heart of this initiative is the belief that everyone deserves access to green space, no matter where they live or how much space is available. Pocket Parks prove that with a little creativity and collaboration, it’s possible to transform even the smallest of spaces into something beautiful, sustainable, and beneficial for both people and the planet.

Hearing about the Pocket Parks project made me wonder how many more small urban spaces could be transformed. Could your street corner or neighborhood have potential for a Pocket Park? Imagine what a difference it could make to your daily life—offering a quiet spot to enjoy your morning coffee, a place for children to play, or a new habitat for local wildlife.

This episode of What’s That Green? has left me feeling inspired, and I hope it does the same for you. We all have a role to play in bringing nature back into our cities, and Pocket Parks are a wonderful reminder that every little bit helps.

So, take a look around your neighborhood—maybe the next Pocket Park is just waiting to be discovered!

• Host and Editor: Fanny Téoule 

• Guests:  Andrew Bedford, Islington Council and Ludo Pittie, WSP

• Music composer: Jenny Nedosekina 

• Graphic designer: Julia Micklewright