Parklets: The Newest Urban Trend

Joe McNulty, Corridor Manager for the University City District, transplants flora into the large metal planters that are part Philadelphia’s first “parklet.” (Michael Bryant / Philly.com Staff photographer)

A parklet?  Have you ever seen a tiny parking spot and thought “no way any car could fit in that spot,” but then later you walk by and a Mini Cooper has pulled in?  It’s kind of like that…but for parks.  The mini city parks are often created by filling a few under-utilized parallel parking spots with a patio, planters, trees, benches, and other wonders of Mother Nature.  

Philadelphia has just become one of the hip cities embracing this trend.  Yesterday, a parklet moved into the corner of 43^rd and Baltimore, turning pavement to park.  Pedestrians now have an additional refuge to gather, rest, and take in the urban life.   

The concept of a parklet began in New York two years ago when Mayor Bloomberg shut down a lane on Broadway and built traffic islands of public plazas.  Parklets have also taken off in San Francisco, where an official “Pavement to Parks” program has sought corporate sponsors and facilitated parklet installation.  An impressive two block parklet now lies near San Francisco’s shopping and theater heart, Union Square.

To San Francisco, New York City, and now Philadelphia, we say congrats on a fun and innovative step towards a greener city.  Parklets are a great example of how cities can utilize the assets they have to create new opportunities.  For these three cities, pedestrians have the opportunity to park in a spot of their own.

BY Mary Duggan on August 5th, 2011

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