Parklet

A parklet is a sidewalk extension that provides more space and amenities for people using the street. Usually parklets are installed on parking lanes and use several parking spaces. Parklets typically extend out from the sidewalk at the level of the sidewalk to the width of the adjacent parking space.[1][2]

Parklets are intended for people. Parklets offer a place to stop, to sit, and to rest while taking in the activities of the street. In instances where a parklet is not intended to accommodate people, it may provide greenery, art, or some other visual amenity. A parklet may accommodate bicycle parking within it, or bicycle parking may be associated with it.[2]

Band performing in parklet in Oakland, California

A parklet may be thought of as permanent, but must be designed for quick and easy removal for emergencies or other reasons such as snow removal without damage to the curb or street. As initially conceived, a parklet is always open to the public.[3] However, some cities have allowed restaurants to create parklets that are not open to the public such as Long Beach, California, Fargo, North Dakota and Montreal, Quebec.[4][5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Parklet_Manual was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Abad Ocubillo, Robin (2012). Experimenting with the Margin: Parklets and Plazas as Catalysts in Community and Government. University of Southern California.
  3. ^ "Pavement to Parks". Sfpavementtoparks.sfplanning.org. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  4. ^ City of Long Beach. "Long Beach's Very Own Retro Row is Home to the 1st Parklet in Southern California No. 9 Restaurant Also Participating in the City Pilot Program". City of Long Beach.
  5. ^ UCLA Complete Streets Initiative (2012). Reclaiming the Right-of-Way: A Toolkit for Creating and Implementing Parklets (PDF). Los Angeles, CA: UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2013.