Parklets
What is a parklet?
Parklets are temporary or permanent expansions of sidewalk space into the parking lane. Most parklets have a design that incorporates seating, greenery, and/or bike racks and accommodate unmet demand for public space on thriving neighborhood retail streets or commercial areas.
Parklet Benefits
Economic Impact
Expanded space for customer use, e.g. seating, sidewalk sales
Increased foot and bike traffic and attraction of customers
Opportunity for multi-business collaboration and shared revenue
Outdoor dining creates seats and jobs, increased revenues by 20%
Health
Physically separated space from traffic
Options for seating and places for rest
Encourage of walking, biking, rolling
Outdoor and social distance
Community Building
Expanded opportunities for social gathering outdoors
Beautify main street and create an engaging and enticing downtown
Opportunity to create hyper local amenities that reflect local interest and culture
Parklet Design
The parklet concept is not just for restaurants and can be used as recreation space during the day.
Designs may include seating, greenery, bicycle racks, etc
Should always present as a welcoming public gathering place for the community.
A standard design template could reduce design and construction costs.
Parklet Safety
Include a railing capable of withstanding moderate horizontal force.
Simple reflective posts & wheel stops to prevent interference with neighboring parking spaces
slip-resistant surface and level surface for ADA compliance
Pocket Parks
Closed side streets (from traffic) or partial roads for additional outdoor recreation space. Benefits include:
Increase in pedestrian volume
Increase in local retail sales
Provides more social opportunities and connection
Reduces traffic, increases pedestrian safety
Attracts business investments, decreasing vacancy rate
Encourages volunteerism
Improves public health
Curbside Pickup
Dedicated quick parking with appropriate signage for retailers and restaurants which allows customers to collect their order from a convenient location. Benefits:
Dual use - can be used for restaurants and retail
Avoid shipping & delivery charges
Quicker order fulfillment, higher predictability
Provides a great and safe service for the customer
Addresses trends - Technomic’ s 2020 Delivery and Takeout Consumer Trend Report, 66% of consumers anticipate continuing to use curbside pickup after dine-in services resume
Additional Resources:
National Association of City Transportation Officials:
https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/interim-design-strategies/parklets/
Seattle Department of Transportation PARKLET HANDBOOK
University City District Report on Parklets:
Parklets: Measuring Impact on Sidewalk Vitality and Neighborhood Business - Tennessee
Jersey City, NJ Resource on how to build a parklet to help businesses in response to Covid-19:
https://jerseycitynj.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_6189660/File/Community/Transportation/Jersey%20City%20Parklet%20Guide.pdf
Main Street America and AARP Case Study:
https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NMSC/390e0055-2395-4d3b-af60-81b53974430d/UploadedImages/Resource_Center/COVID_19/AARP_Brief_parklets_and_pedlets.pdf
UCLA Study on Parklets:
https://www.its.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/parkletassessment.pdf
Parklet Building Guide:
https://parkade.com/parklet-guide-and-how-to-build-a-parklet#parklet-construction-guideComplete guide to parklets — and how to build them
