Parklets are a
growing strategy that commercial district managers are using to drive traffic
to their local business districts, and with good reason. According to the
2011 San Francisco Great Streets “Parklet Impact Study,” foot traffic increased 44% in a studied area,
those stopping to engage in stationary activity tripled at another, and
business owners denied any decrease in business while some reported an
increase.
The term “parklet” was first used
in San Francisco to describe a parking spot turned mini-park and
originated from the 2009 San Francisco Park(ing) Day. A
typical parklet includes a platform on pavement
adjacent to a sidewalk. Many parklets include additional seating, landscape,
and tables. Parklets have now spread to many other cities, including New
York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Oakland, Philadelphia, and Long Beach. (Source:
Grand Rapids Parklet Manual)
Many other
cities have caught on to the appeal of parklets and have begun parklet pilot
programs. Cities on the list include Seattle, Minneapolis, Miami, and
Grand Rapids.
Parklets are a
creative solution to the desire for wider sidewalks especially in areas with
narrow sidewalks or a lack of open space. Although parklets are not
permitted to engage in direct commerce like sidewalk cafes or table-side
service, a 2010 Divisidero Trial Parklet Impact Report noted they do increase
foot traffic (13-37% according to the study), economic activity, bike parking,
and public relaxation and socialization. http://nacto.org/docs/usdg/divisadero_trial_parklet_impact_report_pratt.pdf
Pilot programs
vary from city to city, but there has been an uptick of activity. A few
programs that we like here at the Commercial District Advisor include the
following:
- Seattle – regulated by Seattle’s Department of Transportation, businesses and groups apply to become parklet hosts and are selected by SDOT based on their potential to provide a valuable community space, their geographic diversity, and their level of community support. The program so far is two parklets with 13 more to come. http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/parklets_designs.htm
- Minneapolis – regulated and maintained by the Minneapolis Department of Public Works, selects sites based on criteria and logistics, provides the modular set up and materials and even provides the installation and removal. http://www.minneapolismn.gov/pedestrian/WCMS1P-130301
- Grand Rapids – a public-private partnership program, applicants are responsible for costs and fees associated with the project however they can apply for reimbursement through a streetscape improvement incentive program, has a very impressive packet/manual. http://www.downtowngr.org/news_item_files/DGRI_Parklet_Manual_April_2014.pdf
- Miami – regulated by the Miami Parking Authority, the application process appears lengthy with some fees listed in the application, applicants are scored based on criteria and top five scores proceed to the next step of program. http://www.miamiparking.com/Files/Parklet%20Application%20and%20Instructions.pdf
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| Photo by: San Francisco Planning Department |
It appears
that parklets have common themes. They generally take up one to two
parking spots, have seating and landscaping, and the overall responsibility
lies on the “host” to maintain. What other lessons are there to be
learned moving forward with parklets:
- Are there some places that shouldn’t do parklets? Raleigh completed a Parklet Feasability Study and noted specific locations within their city that parklets shouldn’t be. One could induce from their results that parklets should not occur in areas with low pedestrian destination traffic, in places with sufficient plaza or open space already, high parking demand, busy or dangerous streets or streets that need reconfiguring, and streets entering residential neighborhoods. (http://www.raleighnc.gov/content/extra/Books/PlanDev/ParkletFeasibilityStudy/index.html#/30-31/zoomed, 2013)
- Do we need to ensure that someone manages them? It is important for parklets to keep up appearances, after all the purpose is to ensure a little bit of green space for public enjoyment. The common rule is to hold “hosts” responsible for maintenance and appearance. Most parklet programs have parameters and specific guidelines in place for hosts to maintain their parklets.
- Are they best when connected to a local business? More studies are needed to gauge specific metrics of whether positive effects come from parklets adjacent to businesses. All parklet programs prohibit direct service to businesses such as table-side service or café service. Nearly every city requires parklets to be open to public use, but Long Beach, CA allows discretion on the owner whether they require patrons to make purchases (http://www.raleighnc.gov/content/extra/Books/PlanDev/ParkletFeasibilityStudy/index.html#/4-5/, 2013).
- What about the homeless? Like most urban public plazas and parks, parklets will also have the issue of how to regulate or manage the homeless if their use of the parklet is outside of the intended purpose. San Francisco has shut down at least one parklet because it had become a prime destination for drinking and carousing (http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/07/08/berkeley-parklets-stir-up-excitement-apprehension/, 2013).
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| Image via http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ |
- National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Design Street Guide for Parklets. http://nacto.org/usdg/parklets/
- The Regional Plan Association is helping lead efforts in New Jersey to establish parklets in up to 18 New Jersey Towns. http://www.rpa.org/spotlight/turning-parking-into-parklets
- Raleigh, NC Parklet Feasibility Study, 2013 http://www.raleighnc.gov/content/extra/Books/PlanDev/ParkletFeasibilityStudy/index.html#/1/
- Here are a few parklet design manuals to check out: Grand Rapids, MI: http://www.downtowngr.org/news_item_files/DGRI_Parklet_Manual_April_2014.pdf, Sacramento, CA: http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/Public-Works/Parking-Services/Pilot-Parklet-Program/Parklet-Manual
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