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Pocket Parks

What is a pocket park? A small outdoor space, usually no more than ¼ of an acre, most often located in an urban area that is surrounded by commercial buildings or houses on small lots. A pocket park is typically located in an area with no public park nearby, in an area with no places for people to gather, relax, and enjoy the outdoors. There is no set design for a pocket park; each one is different depending on the size of the space. They are also called vest-pocket parks, a term first used in the 1960’s.

KIB works with neighborhood associations, schools, churches, service organizations, and other not-for-profits to create attractive and inviting outdoor spaces. The use of the space is determined by the applicant, it can be a quiet space, a play space, or whatever. We encourage our project partners to think outside the box, both in selecting a place for their project, and how the space is to be used and maintained.

Please read out How To Guide on Creating a Pocket Park or Greenspace (other outdoor space) and, once your group is organized and ready, check our grant application page to see how to go about working with us on your project. Any group is eligible to apply. Our applications are a competitive process, so the more people you have involved and the more organized your group is, the more likely you will receive a project grant from us.

Our grants are "project management" grants, meaning that we bring the plant material, tools, and project management expertise to the project, the applicant brings volunteers to do the work, provides lunch, and so forth. The key thing we look for in the application is a maintenance plan, who and how will you take care of the plantings once KIB is done helping you bring your vision to life? Projects with a strong maintenance plan will win out over the competition to receive a grant.

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