Parklet Challenge
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BTD-2011 BOSTON COMPLETE STREETS LAB. A Parklet is a pavement reuse initiative that repurposes one or two existing parking spots with a platform that brings the grade of the sidewalk out to the street. Parklets are intended to provide space for people to sit, relax and enjoy the city around them, especially where narrow sidewalks would otherwise preclude such activities. They are intended to be seen as pieces of street furniture, providing aesthetic enhancements to the overall streetscape. In the place of car parking, a platform is built to bring the grade of the sidewalk out into the street. Once the platform is installed, benches, tables, chairs, landscaping, and bike parking can all be placed on top in order to provide a welcoming public space along the street. Due to its location, parklets must remain publicly accessible and require signage to this effect. Parklets provide outdoor public seating in the curb lane during the warm months and promote local businesses. WENTWORTH CHALLENGE VANCOUVER PHILADELPHIA HONOLULU
Transcript of Parklet Challenge
BTD-2011 B O S T O N C O M P L E T E S T R E E T S L A B .
A Parklet is a pavement reuse initiative that repurposes one or two existing parking spots with a platform that brings the grade of the sidewalk out to the street.
Parklets are intended to provide space for people to sit, relax and enjoy the city around them, especially where narrow sidewalks would otherwise
preclude such activities. They are intended to be seen as pieces of street furniture, providing aesthetic enhancements to the overall streetscape. In the place of car parking, a platform is built to bring the grade of the sidewalk out into the street. Once the platform is installed, benches, tables, chairs, landscaping, and bike parking can all be placed on top in
order to provide a welcoming public space along the street. Due to its location, parklets must remain publicly accessible and require signage to this effect.
Parklets provide outdoor public seating in the curb lane during the warm months and promote local businesses.
WENTWORTH CHALLENGE
VANCOUVER PHILADELPHIA HONOLULU
Boston would like to introduce one or more parklets in 2012 in conjunction with small business partners. City staff will work with WIT students to design, construct, cost-out and determine maintenance for an official City of Boston Parklet, with the ultimate goal of creating a “plug and play” design that can work in virtually any location. Site selection will be based on the following criteria:• High volume of pedestrian traffic• Businesses that could benefit from
outdoor seating (e.g. cafes)• Sidewalk too narrow for sidewalk
seating• Suitable street environment (i.e.
moderate traffic)• Willing business partners
• Neighborhood support Structures should be designed to meet the following criteria:• Moderate cost• Straightforward assembly/disassembly• Durability/ease of maintenance• ADA• Protection for users• Aesthetics• Scalability, i.e. ability to replicate
prototype structures and to easily adapt structures to different site
conditions (slightly different curb heights, etc.)
No alcohol is allowed at parklets, and smoking is prohibited. Seating is open to the public. A restaurant cannot provide table service at a parklet but patrons can order and pay for food inside a restaurant and bring it to the parklet café area.
Groups will present their designs and reveal their final products to a panel of interagency judges from the city.
Once selected the parklet design will be tested in a two year pilot. After this point the City will evaluate the program to determine if and how it will be extended.
Details...
EXAMPLES
LOS ANGELES
PHILADELPHIA
SAN FRAN
SAN FRAN
Boston Transportation DepartmentMayor Thomas M. Menino
B O S T O N C O M P L E T E S T R E E T S L A B . W I T C H A L L E N G E
