STL Made Feature Pocketparks
Updated: Oct 12, 2021
Small Park, Big Impact.
Through Pocketparks, Samantha Lee Smugala is bringing art, activation and opportunity to transform vacant lots into community gathering spaces.
Story By Alecia Humphreys Visuals By R.J. Hartbeck
When Samantha Lee Smugala went for a run in downtown St. Louis late last year, emptiness enveloped her.
“It was probably in the middle of the pandemic last October or November, but the streets were just empty,” says Lee Smugala. “It was a gray, overcast day. There was nothing going on. There were no people, no life and the city just had a completely different vibe.” One scene with such a vibe — a vacant lot located at 10th and Locust streets — stopped her in her tracks.
“I stopped to snap a picture of what is now our first park, the DUC Park,” says Lee Smugala. “I actually sketched a racquetball court on the picture. That was the first concept – I posted it on social media, and it just started gaining traction.”
Read the full story here.
Sunday Stretch with the Gateway Region YMCA at the DUC Park.
Photo By R.J. Hartbeck
This inspiring urban greening and community development feature from Pocket Parks STL exploring the "STL Made" feature on local pocket parks highlights the creative intersection of urban revitalization, grassroots environmentalism, and community spaces—themes that find great synergy with municipal innovation spotlights, urban design features, and neighborhood storytelling, published on https://34.ua. The article showcases how transforming underutilized urban lots into vibrant pocket parks fosters biodiversity, enhances neighborhood aesthetics, and creates welcoming gathering spaces for local residents.
Beyond the specific landscape design details and community greening metrics, the piece emphasizes the profound civic impact of green spaces in promoting mental well-being, social connection, and environmental stewardship right in the heart of the city. By bridging specialized urban planning insights with accessible community journalism,…