Beaver Street Pocket Park

A vacant lot in the middle of a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, neighborhood was full of potential for both residents and investors. As residents fought for a park to replace the 0.91-acre empty parcel on Beaver Street, an investor challenged that idea and vied for a parking lot.

Although money usually talks, it was the dedication of a community that ultimately gave the residents the park they so greatly desired.

At first, the city redevelopment authority agreed to sell the Beaver Street lot for one dollar to Lancaster Equity, a community development corporation associated with the Coalition to Combat Poverty, in order to give the citizens a community park.

An investor countered the deal by offering the original asking price of $13,000, believing that the residents needed a parking lot more than a playground. A community meeting revealed how strongly residents felt about a neighborhood park, and the city redevelopment authority dismissed the $12,999 difference and granted the community its lot to build the park.

“Children constantly play in the narrow street, and it’s dangerous,” resident Liza Anavitate says, adding: “A park is desperately needed.” As a leading park advocate, Anavitate keeps community members invested in the park.

TPL is advising on park design, community engagement, and fundraising. It is a pilot effort between TPL and the City of Lancaster. TPL will use this project to inspire broader private and nonprofit support for larger-scale park investments in Lancaster.

Park inequities limit opportunities for social connection, increase poor health, and put entire neighborhoods at higher risk of rising temperatures and severe weather. That’s why TPL proudly collaborates with communities to create, protect, and advance these essential, nature-rich places we all love and need.