It took nine years, but Mission Hills residents finally have their pocket park.
They call it a pocket park because it's only built on one-third of an acre at the intersection of Lewis and Falcon Streets.
But a year ago, the area was an old, overgrown parking lot.. that residents say was used by the homeless. Thanks to $450,000 in development fees were allocated to transform the land into the small park.
The end result is this: A pocket park preserving open space. There are several benches, rock design and new plants.
The project in its entirety took seven years to complete, because of the consulting, architectural and permit fees. The expenses forced design changes.
Many in Mission Hills grew frustrated and wondered if today's dedication would ever take place.
A former member of the Mission Hills town council said patience paid off, but there are lesson to be learned.
“It would have been nice to have had a pocket park czar in the city, who basically could have said, you know what? We just don't need that particular study, or no, I'll take responsibility for saying, lets go this route instead of this route,” said John Lomac, a Mission Hills resident.
The town council said it hopes to build two more similar parks, but they are hoping it doesn't take as long, with less frustration.
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