City Commission Names New Pocket Park on South Altadena Drive ‘Lamanda Park Library Pocket Park’

On Tuesday Pasadena’s Recreation and Parks Commission approved a recommendation to name the park at 140 South Altadena Drive which will be completed this fall as “Lamanda Park Library Pocket Park.” 

The park is built within the grounds of the Lamanda Park Branch Library. 

Once completed, the pocket park would include playground equipment with a rubberized play surface and shade structure, a picnic area and drinking fountains. 

Per city policy, the city staff initiated a public outreach effort to solicit public input for the park’s official name. Property owners within a 1,000 foot radius of the new park site were sent a postcard with a link to a park name survey, according to the City. 

Suggested names by community members include: “Lamanda Park Library Pocket Park,” “Lamanda Park Library Citrus Park,” “Lamanda Comunidad Park,” “Octavia Butler Pocket Park” and “Glen Dawson Park.”

According to city policy, the naming of park must be based on the following criteria: geographical location of the park or facility, natural or geological features proximate to the park or facility, cultural  or historical significance to the city and surrounding neighborhood or name of an individual who has made significant contribution to the community or the field of parks and recreation. 

“It seems to me that Lamanda Park Library Pocket Park says exactly what this is,” Commission Chair Mark Mastromatteo said. “I think that’s a logical name for the park. 

All commissioners present voted to name the new park  “Lamanda Park Library Pocket Park” except for commissioner Jennifer Higginbotham who voted against the recommendation. 

“It’s so awkward to say Lamanda Park Library Pocket Park. It seems like we could be more articulate with this,” Higginbotham remarked. 

The name approved by the Commission will be presented to the City Council for its consideration at a future meeting.