By KIANNA DOUTHAT

Melbourne's landscape is becoming greener – one pocket park at a time.

The program involves taking under-used roads or small blocks of land and turning them into green areas and play spaces.

Stonnington Council spokesperson Erin McFadden said the council placed a high value on creating green areas for their residents.

“Open space is a highly valued community asset and it is becoming increasingly sought after as population growth and development density in Stonnington continues to place pressure on all areas of the municipality,” Ms McFadden said.

Stonnington had the second-lowest amount of public open space of any council in Victoria.

The council has  begun buying back developed land to create more green spaces and to stabilise the effects of urban development as part of their Strategies for Creating Open Space.

Current plans aim to turn 450 properties into pocket parks over 20 years, in suburbs such as Malvern, Glen Iris, Armadale, Toorak, South Yarra and Prahran.

The greening trend is also supported by the Victorian Government and Melbourne City Council, which together released How to Grow an Urban Forest earlier this year as part of a commitment to increase the city’s green space by 20 per cent by 2020.

The 10-step guide aims to provide surrounding councils with information about the benefits of trees and ways to increase greenery within their municipality.

"Fun size" parks are particularly beneficial for children, but they’re not just for kids. A 2012 study by Griffith University found urban green spaces helped improve physical and mental health, while also benefiting local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Last year Yarra Council won the award for open space planning  in the Parks and Leisure Australia Awards for their efforts in reclaiming roads and car parks to turn into open space.

Yarra Mayor Cr Jackie Fristacky said she felt great satisfaction in opening the pocket parks, which are more environmentally sustainable and provide important opportunities for local residents.

South Yarra resident Sue Kline said pocket parks helped bring life back to the concrete jungle.

“It’s great to see children playing outdoors. Many kids grow up without a backyard so it’s great they have somewhere they can play,” Ms Kline said.

Many of the parks are fenced so children can play safely away from traffic, with some spaces including jungle gyms, picnic tables, barbecues and even WiFi.

Pocket parks are great places for locals to get to know their neighbours and for apartment dwellers to bring their pets.

Stonnington Council is pursuing a feasibility study to move Cato St car park underground, so open space and parkland can be created on top.

It is hoped that creating more green spaces will help improve the environmental and aesthetic qualities of local streetscapes.

“It’s a strategy for the whole community – for our children and grandchildren,” Ms McFadden said.