Pocket parks on the agenda for Conshohocken’s Borough Council

On the August 3rd agenda for Conshohocken’s Borough Council is a presentation involving the possible addition of two pocket parks along Fayette Street. From the agenda:

a. 2023 Capital Budget Park Presentation (B-Field Playground, Fritz Lodge Pocket Park, Santander Pocket Park), Ray Sokolowski, Executive Director of Operations

So what is a pocket park? The National Recreation and Parks Association describes them as follows:

A pocket park is a small outdoor space, usually no more than ¼ of an acre, usually only a few house lots in size or smaller, most often located in an urban area surrounded by commercial buildings or houses on small lots with few places for people to gather, relax, or to enjoy the outdoors. They are also called vest pocket parks, a term first used in the 1960’s. Pocket parks are urban open spaces on a small-scale and provide a safe and inviting environment for surrounding community members. They also meet a variety of needs and functions, including: small event space, play areas for children, spaces for relaxing or meeting friends, taking lunch breaks, etc.

Successful “pocket parks” have four key qualities: they are accessible; allow people to engage in activities; are comfortable spaces and have a good image; and finally, are sociable places: one where people meet each other and take people to when they come to visit.

During a community meeting, the Borough of Conshohocken held in May to gather community input about a possible zoning overlay along Fayette Street, the issue of pocket parks was mentioned. Julian Miraglia, who owns several properties along Fayette Street, brought up the concept of having pocket parks along Fayette Street in the upper avenues. As discussed during that meeting, his concept was a community meeting spot with benches and/or tables where people could stop and talk. Miraglia owns the property that is home to Santander Bank, one of the two properties mentioned on the agenda.

Also mentioned in this portion of the agenda is the playground at the B-Field. The borough has been upgrading playground equipment in its parking for the past few years, however, we have no information as to what this presentation is specifically about.

We will provide an update after the presentation.

Photo: MtAiryBid.com. Please note that this photo is of a pocket park in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia.