The Payne Phalen Pocket Parks project was started by a group of neighbors in response to the issue of foreclosure on the East Side and the toll that vacancy, blight, perceived crime and neglect has taken on the self image of this community.  Where there is an underused vacant strip of land we see the potential to make a space that is beautiful, useful and can enhance our sense of place and belonging.  Through this effort we know we can bring neighbors together and spur positive change.

Our Manifesto: Everywhere there are green spaces within a city. In Eastside St. Paul, they abound due to vacant lots and odd shape plots, so let’s turn this unforeseen situation into unparalleled beautification. 

Let’s utilize Eastside’s unique mixture of talents, ethnicities and experiences, and turn those empty bits and pieces of land into community gardens, sculpture gardens, dog parks, tiny playgrounds, gentle commons, and flower beds. Let’s dot our important watershed with “pocket parks.”

Imagine a future when you say, “I’m from Eastside” and the name evokes images of a rural, inner city lifestyle and all because once, when we had the opportunity, we developed and nurtured these small, verdant gems. (Rebecca Welty)