Parks under utility towers: why not?

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In the crowded urban sprawl of Southern California, only one of four residents lives within 440 yards of a neighborhood playground or park. In low-income neighborhoods, 1000 people, on average, share a third of an acre of public open space.

A bill passed this week by the California Assembly, AB 521, would ease the development of parks on utility rights of way, according to its author, Assemblyman Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate). It would require the California Public Utilities Commission to take into consideration the community benefits of open space when determining a fair lease rate for land under power lines.

Under current law, the utility commission considers the economic return to rate payers from leasing rights of way, and is not required to factor in a broader public good.

The city of Bellflower would be a beneficiary, according to De La Torre. Its Riverview Park, in a utility right of way, spans six acres and needs to lease an additional 12 acres from a utility. The park, which would run along the San Gabriel River, would increase the city’s park space by a quarter.

‘Millions of Californians lack access to parks, particularly in low-income areas,’ said Rico Mastrodonato, an official with the Trust for Public Land, in a statement. ‘AB 521 will give thousands of kids places to play, and bring more green space to our urban areas.’

The bill, which now goes before the Senate, is also supported by Southern California Edison.

--Margot Roosevelt