Villaraigosa wants a more livable L.A., with 50 pocket parks

In a speech to lay out his record and his vision on making Los Angeles a more livable city, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Wednesday that he wants to build 50 pocket parks in the next two years.

Villaraigosa, who grew up in City Terrace and recalls playing on hills that are now industrial areas, highlighted the dearth of parks in Los Angeles. He noted that his administration has added 650 acres of new ball fields, picnic areas and playgrounds in six years, more than in the previous dozen years.

But the mayor said city workers have been scouring Los Angeles to find locations to create small parks, especially in some of the most densely populated neighborhoods.

He made his remarks at UCLA in an address to the Mayoral Housing, Transportation and Jobs Summit, which was sponsored by the Los Angeles Business Council.