The Barrio Chino Pocket Park transformed a space on Avenida B in Santa Ana—originally used as a garbage dump—into a small-scale public park that celebrates the neighborhood’s cultural identity. Through a participatory process with merchants from Barrio Chino, we identified the area’s needs and opportunities, as well as the cultural elements that should be reflected in the project. The final design incorporated a mural by a Chinese-Panamanian artist that highlights the neighborhood’s heritage, along with cobblestones, a swing, urban art, and vegetation that brought the space to life. Construction was made possible thanks to material support from Cochez and the Santa Ana Community Board, demonstrating how partnerships between the private sector and local government can revitalize small urban spaces in areas with high pedestrian traffic. Today, thousands of people who pass through this commercial area daily benefit from a gathering place that combines art, play, and relaxation, reinforcing the character of Chinatown as one of the city’s iconic cultural spaces.




